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Woodford Reserve vs Maker’s Mark 46
Put Woodford Reserve next to Maker’s Mark 46 and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a classic, high-wheat stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Woodford Reserve | Maker’s Mark 46 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) | 94 proof (47% ABV) +4 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$35 – $42 | ~$38 – $45 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Woodford Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Maker’s Mark 46
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Woodford Reserve Maker’s Mark 46
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 8 out of 10
spice 6/4 spice: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 7 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Woodford Reserve 3 out of 10, Maker’s Mark 46 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- Woodford Reserve: The most widely poured premium bourbon in America, and a genuinely well-made one. Dried fruit and cocoa over a balanced 18% rye mash, finished smooth enough to please almost anyone.
- 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 Woodford Reserve if you want a polished, widely available crowd-pleaser that never puts a foot wrong.
- 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 (Woodford Reserve); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Maker’s Mark 46).