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Stagg vs Maker’s Mark 46
Put Stagg next to Maker’s Mark 46 and you have a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight set against a classic, high-wheat stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Stagg | Maker’s Mark 46 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 130 proof (65% ABV) +36 proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $120 | ~$38 – $45 ~$54 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Stagg 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
Stagg
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Maker’s Mark 46
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Stagg Maker’s Mark 46
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 10/4 heat: Stagg 10 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10
spice 7/4 spice: Stagg 7 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10
oak 9/7 oak: Stagg 9 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 7 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Stagg 7 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 8 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Stagg 5 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Stagg 4 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Stagg: Uncut and unfiltered Buffalo Trace at a proof that demands respect. Dark chocolate, espresso and charred oak arrive with genuine heat, and a few drops of water unlock a surprising amount of fruit.
- Maker’s Mark 46: Finished with seared French oak staves inside the barrel, which adds the spice and wood that the standard bottling deliberately lacks. The most useful upgrade in the Maker's range.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Stagg if you want the biggest, hottest, most concentrated expression of the Buffalo Trace profile with significantly more proof behind it.
- Go with Maker’s Mark 46 if you want the softness of Maker's Mark with real oak and spice layered over it at a significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (Stagg); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Maker’s Mark 46).