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Horse Soldier Barrel Strength vs Maker's Mark
Comparing Horse Soldier Barrel Strength and Maker's Mark reveals a matchup between an uncut, wheated heavyweight and a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Horse Soldier Barrel Strength | Maker's Mark |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 70% corn, 20% wheat, 10% malted barley | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 111 proof (55.5% ABV) +21 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$78 – $85 | ~$25 – $32 ~$53 less |
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 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
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
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Maker's Mark
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Flavor Profile
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength Maker's Mark
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 7/3 heat: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10, Maker's Mark 3 out of 10
spice 5/2 spice: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10, Maker's Mark 2 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 6 out of 10, Maker's Mark 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10, Maker's Mark 8 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10, Maker's Mark 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 3 out of 10, Maker's Mark 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength: A barrel-strength wheater from the veteran-founded Horse Soldier brand. Brown sugar and toasted oak lead, baking spice and heat follow, and a splash of water pulls out darker fruit.
- 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 Horse Soldier Barrel Strength if you want a big, barrel-strength wheated bourbon with plenty of brown sugar and warmth 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 significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Horse Soldier Barrel Strength); neat, rocks, cocktails, highball (Maker's Mark).