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Maker’s Mark Cask Strength vs Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Put Maker’s Mark Cask Strength next to Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve and you have an uncut, high-wheat heavyweight set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Maker’s Mark Cask Strength | Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 9 years |
| Proof | 110 proof (55% ABV) | 120 proof (60% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$40 – $50 ~$5 less | ~$45 – $55 |
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 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.
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 3/7 spice: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 3 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/7 nuttiness: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 3 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10
sweetness 9/6 sweetness: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 9 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 6 out of 10
oak 5/8 oak: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 5 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10
fruit 5/3 fruit: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 5 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 3 out of 10
heat 7/8 heat: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 7 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- 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.
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve: The same nine-year Knob Creek juice bottled from a single barrel at 120 proof, and the extra strength suits it. Everything the standard bottling does, turned up — with the barrel-to-barrel variation that comes with the format.
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 Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve if you want the Beam profile at serious proof for well under what most barrel-strength bourbons cost.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Maker’s Mark Cask Strength); neat, old-fashioned (Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve).