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Maker’s Mark Cask Strength vs Penelope Architect
Put Maker’s Mark Cask Strength next to Penelope Architect and you have an uncut, high-wheat heavyweight set against a sourced, corn-forward blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Maker’s Mark Cask Strength | Penelope Architect |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley | 75% corn, 7% rye, 15% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 110 proof (55% ABV) +6 proof | 104 proof (52% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$40 – $50 ~$20 less | ~$60 – $70 |
- 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.
Penelope Architect
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Penelope Architect
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 3/6 spice: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 3 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
sweetness 9/7 sweetness: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 9 out of 10, Penelope Architect 7 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 5 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
heat 7/6 heat: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 7 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
oak 5/5 oak: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 5 out of 10, Penelope Architect 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 3 out of 10, Penelope Architect 3 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.
- Penelope Architect: Penelope's four-grain blend finished with French oak staves chosen for their tannin. The French oak adds berry, cherry and warm spice to a vanilla-heavy base.
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 Penelope Architect if you want a four-grain bourbon with a French oak finish that adds berries and warm spice.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Maker’s Mark Cask Strength); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Architect).