Hannah’s Maker’s Mark 101 Bourbon Review
Original review written February 16, 2021
MAKER’S MARK 101 BOURBON REVIEW:
I love Maker’s products generally, from their least expensive all the way to the private selects we have found and enjoyed for Idaho. However, I’m sad to report, this one did not meet the standard and has an ungainly awkwardness to it. 83/100
VITALS:
– Made In: Loretto, Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Maker’s Mark Distillery
– Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey; Wheated
– Age: nas (believed to be 5-7 yrs.)
– Mash Bill: Corn=70%; Soft red winter wheat=16%; Malted barley=14%
– Casks: unpublished
– Barrel Entry Proof: 110
– ABV: 50.5% (101 proof)
– Price: $37.95 USD in Idaho
Visit makersmark.com for more information
ENJOYMENT METHOD:
I enjoyed the juice neat with father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer, Brian.
Check out his review for this bourbon here!
SETTING:
I imagine Maker’s 101 Bourbon would be enjoyable sitting on the porch in the middle of a crowded, desert city. There is a haze sweeping across the horizon as the sun sets, making neighboring palm trees look like tall, black beams shooting into the sky. It’s a rough, plant-y pour to counteract an unbearable heat and waves of desert gardens.
Photo by Michael Carruth on Unsplash
NOSE:
This nose is incredibly soft and, in a word, inviting. It definitely smells like a Maker’s, with the wheat presence being particularly strong, as well as just a dry grass. With this comes a freshness that sits right at the front of the sip. It is almost like how an apple stem tastes (no, I don’t eat them, but I chew on them). The second half of the nose includes seasoned figs, with some nutmeg and perhaps cloves. Deep, focused draws bring out some molasses and gingerbread cookies.
A warm, sunshine sensation envelops the bourbon as well, like dried out sand in the middle of a desert with cacti kind of warmth. It’s strange, because there are those strong aforementioned plant scents too, but it somehow balances well.
PALATE:
– Mouth Feel: Perhaps my favorite aspect of this pour, as there is a raspy quality to it that catches on the taste buds, creating an ever-so-slight tickle.
– Balance: I’m a little disappointed, to be honest. A solid plant flavor isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but the limited flavors existing beyond the wheat/grass seem awkward paired together.
– Visual: Honey in color, there is a spackling of droplets along with some legs that are thin and fade quickly.
– Taste: Plant bitterness comes across the palate first, and is almost grassy. There’s warmth here, yes, and it does seem to be grain-based in nature, and it rasps a little on the tongue. A mild oak pairs with it, and just sort of hangs out without being what I would call, an active participant.
The alcohol is mild, as would be expected for a 101 proof bourbon, and it may even seem like less than a 101 on the palate, though this could be from the wheat in the mash bill.
I can’t find any notable fruit presence here, which is strange because I usually associate fruit flavors with Maker’s products, but try as I might, I can’t find anything. On spice, if I squint, there is a bit of cloves, but it’s very gentle and subtle behind the plants. Maybe there is a hint of leathery spice with the wheat, but again – mild.
When I do a Kentucky chew, there is a strange mix of bitterness, apples, and chlorine… I’m honestly not very fond of this combination.
Other than this, I find this to be a bit of a one-trick pony with the grass and wheat being the stars, and the backing flavors not necessarily complimenting each other. I keep smacking it on my palate to find new things, but it’s just more of the same, slightly disappointing bitterness.
FINISH:
– Lasting Power: Medium. I’ve got some warmth lingering on my palate, and an aftertaste on the sides of my tongue in particular.
– Between Sips: The grass is still here, but it seems to have a bit of freshness to it, maybe, on part, due to an apply essence that is very faint.
– No More: There are no major noticeable changes in flavor as I get further into the glass. Perhaps the apple grows a little, but not enough for me to really change my overall thoughts on this. It’s tolerable. The raspy mouth feel is really what saves this bourbon, I think.
The empty Glencairn smells so incredible with a rich, deep, spicy oak. Now I’m saddened even more that the actual pour couldn’t be more reminiscent of what is left over after the pour is gone.
WORTH THE PRICE?
At under $40 USD, it’s not as though you are going to be robbed should you buy this. I think this could be enjoyable for a beginner wanting to graduate to 100+ proofs, but for those who indulge in the 100+ looking for a value, I’m not quite convinced. If you can get a Dry Fly 101, you’d get a far superior bourbon that is the same proof and similarly priced.
RATING: 83/100
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