Compare
Barrell Foundation Bourbon vs Maker's Mark
Comparing Barrell Foundation Bourbon and Maker's Mark reveals a matchup between a sourced, spice-driven blend and a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Barrell Foundation Bourbon | Maker's Mark |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 73% corn, 23% rye, 4% malted barley | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley |
| Age | 5 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $60 | ~$25 – $32 ~$27 less |
- Barrell Foundation Bourbon does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Barrell Foundation Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Maker's Mark
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Barrell Foundation Bourbon Maker's Mark
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/2 spice: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, Maker's Mark 2 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, Maker's Mark 8 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, Maker's Mark 4 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 5 out of 10, Maker's Mark 3 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 5 out of 10, Maker's Mark 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 3 out of 10, Maker's Mark 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Barrell Foundation Bourbon: Barrell's everyday bottle: a multi-state blend proofed down to 100 instead of bottled at cask strength. Creamy cake and vanilla up front, then a dry, rye-driven peppery finish.
- Maker's Mark: The bottle that made wheated bourbon mainstream. Soft, sweet, and deliberately low on spice and oak, with baked bread and honey doing most of the work. Consistency is its real feature.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Barrell Foundation Bourbon if you want an approachable, 100-proof Barrell blend that still shows off multi-state blending with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- Go with Maker's Mark if you want a reliably sweet, low-spice wheater that is easy to find and easy to drink at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Barrell Foundation Bourbon); neat, rocks, cocktails, highball (Maker's Mark).