Compare
Maker’s Mark Cask Strength vs Rowan's Creek
Put Maker’s Mark Cask Strength next to Rowan's Creek and you have an uncut, high-wheat heavyweight set against a classic, corn-forward stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Maker’s Mark Cask Strength | Rowan's Creek |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +10 proof | 100.1 proof (50.0% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$40 – $50 | ~$40 – $50 |
- Rowan's Creek 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.
Rowan's Creek
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Rowan's Creek
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 3/7 spice: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 3 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 7 out of 10
sweetness 9/6 sweetness: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 9 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 6 out of 10
heat 7/5 heat: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 7 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 5 out of 10
oak 5/4 oak: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 5 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 4 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 5 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 3 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 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.
- Rowan's Creek: A small-batch Willett bottling that tastes rye-forward and herbal. Honey and caramel sit under mint, hay and warm spice, with a peppermint lift on the finish.
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 Rowan's Creek if you want an herbal, minty, rye-forward Willett bottling.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Maker’s Mark Cask Strength); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Rowan's Creek).