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Maker’s Mark Cask Strength vs Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon
Comparing Maker’s Mark Cask Strength and Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon reveals a matchup between an uncut, wheated heavyweight and a modern, wheated craft expression.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Maker’s Mark Cask Strength | Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley | 75% corn, 15% wheat, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 110 proof (55% ABV) +23 proof | 87 proof (43.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$40 – $50 | ~$40 – $45 |
- 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.
Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon
Didn't care for this one.
Flavor Profile
Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 7/3 heat: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 7 out of 10, Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 3 out of 10
sweetness 9/6 sweetness: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 9 out of 10, Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10
spice 3/2 spice: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 3 out of 10, Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 2 out of 10
oak 5/4 oak: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 5 out of 10, Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 4 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 5 out of 10, Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength 3 out of 10, Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon 3 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.
- Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon: A farm-to-bottle wheater from northern Illinois. Soft red winter wheat keeps it gentle and bready, with caramel and vanilla up front and very little bite at 87 proof.
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 Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon if you want a soft, easygoing wheated bourbon made start to finish on one Midwest farm.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Maker’s Mark Cask Strength); rocks, highball, cocktails (Whiskey Acres Straight Bourbon).