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Wild Turkey 101 vs Maker’s Mark 46
Put Wild Turkey 101 next to Maker’s Mark 46 and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a classic, high-wheat stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Wild Turkey 101 | Maker’s Mark 46 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 101 proof (50.5% ABV) +7 proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$25 – $30 ~$14 less | ~$38 – $45 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Wild Turkey 101
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Maker’s Mark 46
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Wild Turkey 101 Maker’s Mark 46
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 8/4 spice: Wild Turkey 101 8 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Wild Turkey 101 6 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 8 out of 10
heat 6/4 heat: Wild Turkey 101 6 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10
oak 7/7 oak: Wild Turkey 101 7 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 7 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Wild Turkey 101 4 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Wild Turkey 101 3 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Wild Turkey 101: The workhorse high-rye Kentucky bourbon and one of the best proof-to-price ratios anywhere. Vanilla and orange up front, then a genuinely spicy, peppery, tobacco-tinged middle that punches well above $25.
- 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 Wild Turkey 101 if you want bold rye spice and real proof at the lowest price of anything comparable.
- Go with Maker’s Mark 46 if you want the softness of Maker's Mark with real oak and spice layered over it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Wild Turkey 101); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Maker’s Mark 46).