Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Review
Maker’s Mark is iconic for a reason - the dripping red wax, the squared bottle that is on seemingly every bar, and a dedication to a single recipe and, for nearly their entire history, a single expression (with a tweak or two along the road). Maker’s Mark Cask Strength is one of their newer releases, along with multiple variations on their Maker’s Mark 46 and Maker’s Mark Private Select lines. The Cask Strength edition came out first as a 375ml-only bottling, only coming out in 750ml bottles in 2020.
This is a definite step up from classic Maker’s Mark, and it provides consumers like me what they love - cask strength wheaters, which are both under-appreciated and rare (besides William Larue Weller and Weller Full Proof, there are no major wheated bourbon lines out there). The extra proof points - between 108-114 and at 110.3 proof for my bottle - make a massive difference in how the flavors express themselves. Instead of a fairly pedestrian wheated bourbon, the chocolate, red fruit, and spice are all teed-up for a stronger, bolder experience. This is a bottle that is wheated, readily available, and not overly expensive - find another bottle that fits all three of those right now (and is also good) and let’s talk.
Maker’s Mark Cask Strength: Specs
Classification: American Bourbon
Origin: Maker’s Mark Distillery
Mashbill: 70% Corn, 16% Red Winter Wheat, 14% Malted Barley
Proof: 110.3 (55.15% ABV)
Age: NAS
Location: Kentucky
Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Price: $55 (MSRP for 750ml)
Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Review: Tasting Notes
Eye: Amber. Thin rims and droplets that hang on to the rim.
Nose: Toasted vanilla flows out of the glass. Some oak, light cocoa powder. Burnt maple syrup and mild proof heat. Toasted brioche in a pan comes out with a little air.
Palate: Great heat right up front - not hot, but pleasantly warm - with lots of chocolate right away (milk more than dark). Clearly a wheater palate, with a classically representative flavor mix. Vanilla-scented French toast with a tingle that sticks around. Mouthfeel is medium-bodied, heat sticks on the tongue with plenty of baking spices, vanilla richness, and red fruits towards the end.
Finish: Leans fully into the chocolate-covered fruits. Heat fades pleasantly while the flavors hang on a little longer.
Overall: One of my favorite Maker’s expressions alongside the SE4xPR5 and the occasional 46 pick. As a readily available and affordable cask-strength wheated bourbon, I don’t think you’ll be able to beat this for the value. I’m keeping a bottle on my shelf for sure.
Final Rating: 7.6
10 | Insurpassable | Nothing Else Comes Close (Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel)
9 | Incredible | Extraordinary (GTS, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B518 and B520)
8 | Excellent | Exceptional (12+YO MGP Bourbon, Highland Park Single Barrels)
7 | Great | Well above average (Blanton’s Original, Old Weller Antique, Booker’s)
6 | Very Good | Better than average (Four Roses Small Batch Select, Knob Creek 14+ YO Picks)
5 | Good | Good, solid, ordinary (Elijah Craig Small Batch, Buffalo Trace, Old Grand-Dad Bottled-in-Bond)
4 | Sub-par | Many things I’d rather have (A.D. Laws Four Grain, Compass Box “Oak Cross”)
3 | Bad | Flawed (Iron Smoke Bourbon, Balcones)
2 | Poor | Forced myself to drink it (Buckshee Bourbon and Rye)
1 | Disgusting | Drain pour (Virginia Distilling Co. Cider Cask)
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