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Maker’s Mark 46 vs Maker’s Mark Cask Strength
Put Maker’s Mark 46 next to Maker’s Mark Cask Strength and you have a classic, high-wheat stalwart set against an uncut, high-wheat heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Maker’s Mark 46 | Maker’s Mark Cask Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 110 proof (55% ABV) +16 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$38 – $45 | ~$40 – $50 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Maker’s Mark 46
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Maker’s Mark Cask Strength
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Maker’s Mark 46 Maker’s Mark Cask Strength
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/7 heat: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 7 out of 10
oak 7/5 oak: Maker’s Mark 46 7 out of 10, Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 5 out of 10
sweetness 8/9 sweetness: Maker’s Mark 46 8 out of 10, Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 9 out of 10
spice 4/3 spice: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 3 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Maker’s Mark 46 4 out of 10, Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Maker’s Mark 46 3 out of 10, Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- Maker’s Mark Cask Strength: Undiluted Maker's, and the version that finally gives the wheated recipe some weight. Dense caramel and honey with real warmth, and one of the more affordable cask-strength bottles anywhere.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Maker’s Mark 46 if you want the softness of Maker's Mark with real oak and spice layered over it.
- Go with Maker’s Mark Cask Strength if you want wheated sweetness at full strength for well under what most cask-strength bourbons cost.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Maker’s Mark 46); neat, rocks (Maker’s Mark Cask Strength).