Brian’s Maker’s Mark Bourbon Review:
originally published in December 2017; updated on 22-December-2019
MAKER’S MARK BOURBON REVIEW:
Maker’s opened my eyes to bourbon many, many years ago, and will always have a place in my heart. While not the best bourbon I’ve ever had, I could drink it all night long. Not real complex, not real bold, but always a consistent sip. Consider saving a spot in the bunker for sharing this introductory whisky for novice friends.
MAKER’S MARK VITAL STATS:
– Category: Wheated Bourbon
– Region: Loretto, KY, USA
– Distiller: Maker’s Mark
– Mashbill: 70% corn; 16% soft red winter wheat; 14% malted barley
– Barrel Char: unpublished (likely #3, similar to other Maker’s Mark products)
– Barrel entry proof: 110
– Age: unpublished
– ABV: 45% (90 Proof)
– Price: $31.95 USD (Idaho, Spring 2023)
ENJOYMENT METHOD:
For the evaluation, I shared the juice neat from Glencairn glasses with my daughter and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer Hannah.
Check out her review for this bourbon here!
MAKER’S MARK NOSE:
Upon taking in the first draw, the memory of past Maker’s experiences come flooding back. All Maker’s products have the same aromas, some more bold than others. This Maker’s Mark is dry with light floral fruit tree blossoms on the wind mixing with sweet corn and and a nice wheatiness. It is minty clean with an essence of fresh citrus and red ripe fruit, Maraschino cherries and spices of light cinnamon, nutmeg and white pepper. The juice is sweet; aromas of orange sponge cake mix with a pudding-like vanilla custard, maple sugar candy and buttery caramel. At the same time the aroma is simple – and the nose is treated to a little light, sweet oak.
MAKER’S MARK PALATE:
Like the nose, the juice is dry with plenty of fruit tree blossoms, sweet corn, wheat and red berries. At 90 proof it warms the mouth and throat with flavors of dried figs and dark cherry fruit leather and the enhanced spices of ginger and pepper shine. Like on the nose vanilla pudding and buttery caramel provide sweetness. Makers is simple with a pleasant cashew aftertaste and there is a non-overpowering hazy barrel char of light sweet oak – Classic Maker’s Mark.
Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
Maker’s Mark is well blended. After years of tasting other whiskeys, it is a bit watery yet mellow, rich and smooth – offering the throat a little tickle, just to let one know its there. In the Glencairn it gives the glass a good coating before clinging droplets of an irregular crown give way to long legs which return quickly to the not quite tawny colored pool.
MAKER’S MARK FINISH:
Maker’s Mark finishes with medium strength. Still dry, its warmth lingers as flavors of figs, pepper and creamed chocolate covered almond-cherries disappear but peek back in. The finish is well blended, sweet and mellow with a pleasant and classic Maker’s Mark aftertaste.
MY RATING: 86/100
Will I seek out this whiskey in the future? Yes
But it won’t be a must have in the bunker.
Click to read Brian’s scoring process.
Click 86/100 to access other whiskies with this score.
To access other whiskies from this distillery, click Maker’s Mark.
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