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Maker’s Mark Cask Strength vs Barrell Foundation Bourbon
Comparing Maker’s Mark Cask Strength and Barrell Foundation Bourbon reveals a matchup between an uncut, wheated heavyweight and a sourced, spice-driven blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Maker’s Mark Cask Strength | Barrell Foundation Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley | 73% corn, 23% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 5 years |
| Proof | 110 proof (55% ABV) +10 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$40 – $50 ~$10 less | ~$50 – $60 |
- Barrell Foundation Bourbon does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Maker’s Mark Cask Strength
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Barrell Foundation Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Barrell Foundation Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 9/6 sweetness: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 9 out of 10, Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10
spice 3/6 spice: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 3 out of 10, Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10
heat 7/5 heat: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 7 out of 10, Barrell Foundation Bourbon 5 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 5 out of 10, Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 5 out of 10, Barrell Foundation Bourbon 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 3 out of 10, Barrell Foundation Bourbon 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- 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.
- 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.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Maker’s Mark Cask Strength if you want wheated sweetness at full strength for well under what most cask-strength bourbons cost.
- 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.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Maker’s Mark Cask Strength); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Barrell Foundation Bourbon).