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Maker’s Mark Cask Strength vs Old Forester 86 Proof
Maker’s Mark Cask Strength and Old Forester 86 Proof 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 | Old Forester 86 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 110 proof (55% ABV) +24 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$40 – $50 | ~$20 – $26 ~$22 less |
- 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.
Old Forester 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Old Forester 86 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 7/3 heat: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 7 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
sweetness 9/6 sweetness: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 9 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10
spice 3/5 spice: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 3 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
oak 5/4 oak: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 3 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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.
- Old Forester 86 Proof: The entry bottling and the cheapest way to meet the Old Forester banana-and-caramel signature. Thin at 86 proof, but it costs very little and mixes well.
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 Old Forester 86 Proof if you want the Old Forester house character at the lowest possible price.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Maker’s Mark Cask Strength); cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof).