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Maker’s Mark Cask Strength vs Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Put Maker’s Mark Cask Strength next to Jefferson’s Very Small Batch and you have an uncut, high-wheat heavyweight set against a sourced, corn-forward blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Maker’s Mark Cask Strength | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 110 proof (55% ABV) +28 proof | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$40 – $50 | ~$28 – $36 ~$13 less |
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 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.
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 7/2 heat: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 7 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10
sweetness 9/6 sweetness: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 9 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10
spice 3/4 spice: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 3 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
oak 5/4 oak: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 5 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 5 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 3 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch: A blend of sourced barrels bottled at a very gentle 82.3 proof. Easy and inoffensive, but thin enough that it is hard to recommend over bonded bottles costing less.
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 Jefferson’s Very Small Batch if you want an especially soft, low-proof pour and gentleness matters more than intensity at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Maker’s Mark Cask Strength); rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch).