Compare
Maker’s Mark Cask Strength vs Jim Beam Black
Maker’s Mark Cask Strength and Jim Beam Black sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an uncut, wheat-forward heavyweight versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Maker’s Mark Cask Strength | Jim Beam Black |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 7 years |
| Proof | 110 proof (55% ABV) +24 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$40 – $50 | ~$22 – $28 ~$20 less |
- Jim Beam Black 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.
Jim Beam Black
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Jim Beam Black
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 7/3 heat: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 7 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10
sweetness 9/6 sweetness: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 9 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/6 nuttiness: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 3 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
fruit 5/3 fruit: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 5 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10
spice 3/4 spice: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 3 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 4 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 5 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 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.
- Jim Beam Black: The extra-aged version of the white label and a considerable step up for a few dollars more. Softer and rounder than Knob Creek with the same family peanut note, at a proof that keeps everything gentle.
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 Jim Beam Black if you want the Beam house character at its most affordable and easy-going.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Maker’s Mark Cask Strength); neat, rocks, cocktails (Jim Beam Black).