Compare
Michter's US*1 Small Batch vs Maker's Mark
Put Michter's US*1 Small Batch next to Maker's Mark and you have a sourced, corn-forward blend set against a classic, high-wheat stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Michter's US*1 Small Batch | Maker's Mark |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 91.4 proof (45.7% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$25 – $32 ~$22 less |
- Michter's US*1 Small Batch does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Michter's US*1 Small Batch
No notes yet.
Maker's Mark
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Michter's US*1 Small Batch Maker's Mark
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/2 spice: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10, Maker's Mark 2 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 7 out of 10, Maker's Mark 8 out of 10
oak 5/4 oak: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10, Maker's Mark 4 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10, Maker's Mark 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10, Maker's Mark 3 out of 10
heat 3/3 heat: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 3 out of 10, Maker's Mark 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Michter's US*1 Small Batch: Polished and easy-drinking, with butterscotch and stone fruit and very little rough edge. What you pay for is refinement and mouthfeel rather than age or proof.
- Maker's Mark: The bottle that made wheated bourbon mainstream. Soft, sweet, and deliberately low on spice and oak, with baked bread and honey doing most of the work. Consistency is its real feature.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Michter's US*1 Small Batch if you want a smooth, polished pour with a premium feel and no rough edges with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- Go with Maker's Mark if you want a reliably sweet, low-spice wheater that is easy to find and easy to drink at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Michter's US*1 Small Batch); neat, rocks, cocktails, highball (Maker's Mark).