Maker’s Mark is one of the most popular bourbons in the world. It is smooth, sweet, and approachable, which makes it a go-to choice for many drinkers.
If you enjoy Maker’s Mark, there are plenty of whiskies in the same price range that offer more depth and character. These seven whiskeys are priced at $20 to $50 and are easy to find in the U.S. and UK. Each one delivers the same accessibility as Maker’s Mark, but with an extra layer of flavor.
Woodford Reserve Bourbon
Woodford Reserve is priced close to Maker’s Mark but delivers more complexity. It is smooth and sweet like Maker’s, with caramel and vanilla at its core. A higher rye content adds spice and structure.
Whiskey Watch calls it “a wonderful sipping or mixing whiskey,” noting it does everything Maker’s does with added depth. For fans of Maker’s Mark, Woodford Reserve feels like a richer, more refined upgrade.
Buffalo Trace Bourbon
Maybe not “better”, but certainly on the mark. Buffalo Trace sits in the same price bracket as Maker’s Mark and is just as approachable. It offers smooth vanilla and toffee sweetness, balanced with gentle oak and spice.
Whiskey Watch notes that Buffalo Trace is “very similar to Maker’s Mark when it comes to craft and excellence.” The extra depth from older barrels makes it a clear step up for anyone who enjoys Maker’s but wants more character in each sip.
Larceny Small Batch Bourbon
Larceny is a wheated bourbon, just like Maker’s Mark, but it brings more flavor for the same price. Expect caramel, bread, citrus, and cocoa alongside the soft sweetness that wheated fans love.
The Whiskey Shelf calls it “the best wheated bourbon under $30, besting Maker’s Mark.” For anyone who enjoys the smooth profile of Maker’s Mark, Larceny offers a richer and more complex experience without losing approachability.
W.L. Weller Antique 107 Bourbon
W.L. Weller Antique 107 is another wheated bourbon, which makes it directly comparable to Maker’s Mark. The key difference is proof and intensity. At 107 proof, it brings bold oak, caramel, and spice while keeping the smooth sweetness that wheat provides.
Thrillist recommends it for Maker’s fans, saying it has the same mellow wheated character “infused with a ton of charred oak too.” For anyone who wants Maker’s Mark turned up a notch, Weller Antique 107 is the answer.
The GlenAllachie 12 Year Old
The GlenAllachie 12 Year Old is a Speyside single malt that appeals to bourbon drinkers who enjoy sweetness and smoothness. Aged in sherry and ex-bourbon casks, it offers layers of honey, dried fruit, chocolate, and gentle spice.
As Phil Dwyer notes, it is “remarkably well-balanced” and ideal for fans of sherry cask influence. For those who like Maker’s Mark’s soft sweetness, GlenAllachie 12 delivers a richer and more complex version in single malt form.
Jameson Black Barrel
Jameson Black Barrel takes classic Irish smoothness and adds extra depth through double-charred bourbon barrels. The result is sweet vanilla and caramel balanced with toasted oak and gentle spice.
Bourbon & Banter highlights how the re-charred casks give it “deeper oak notes bourbon drinkers are familiar with.” For fans of Maker’s Mark, it delivers the same easy sweetness with more complexity and a bolder finish.
Bushmills 10 Year Old
Bushmills 10 is a single malt Irish whiskey aged in ex-bourbon casks. It is light and approachable, with honey, vanilla, and soft fruit notes that feel familiar to bourbon drinkers.
Bourbon & Banter suggests it for fans of lighter bourbons like Maker’s Mark. The smooth texture and gentle oak influence make it an easy step up in complexity while staying just as drinkable.
A Step Beyond Maker’s Mark
Maker’s Mark is a classic, and you might well disagree that these whiskeys are “better”. However, they do show how much more you can explore without spending more. Each offers the same approachability with added depth and character.
Which of these bottles have you tried, and what do you think is the best alternative to Maker’s Mark? Share your thoughts in the comments. We’d love to hear your picks.
Read the full article at 7 Whiskeys Better Than Maker’s Mark
