Category: Wheated Whiskey

Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Review

Posted on by whiskeyfortheages

Hannah’s Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Review

Original Review written on September 8, 2019

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

More of a premium bourbon than the general Maker’s Mark, this one does not disappoint for the dark fruit lover, like myself. A regular in the household for its warmth and reliability to bring a smile to my face. Read my full Maker’s Maker Cask Strength Review here! 92/100

VITALS:
Maker's Mark Cask Strength Review

– Made In: Loretto, Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Maker’s Mark Distillery
– Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey; Cask Strength
– Age: 5-7 yrs.
– Mash Bill: Corn=75%; Soft red winter wheat=16%; Malted barley=14%
– Barrel Entry Proof: 110
– ABV: 55.25% (110 proof)*
– Price: $59.95 USD in Idaho
*Varies by bottle

Visit makersmark.com for more information

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

I enjoyed the juice neat from a Glencairn glass with father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer, Brian.

Check out his review for this bourbon here!

SETTING:

This bourbon is here to make a statement. Not around to pull punches, this bourbon is the one to sip with the big boy bourbons who THINK they know their stuff. Though not as glamorous as my other settings for bourbons, Maker’s Mark Cask Strength could easily fit in, in a board room fully of supposed sophisticated men and is there to show who’s REALLY the boss.

Photo by Benjamin Child on Unsplash

NOSE:

Fresh, dark fruit – particularly cherries mixed with a biting caramel and fresh-from-the-mill oak. Can definitely smell the alcohol. Even though there’s darkness in these flavors, there is still a lifting brightness surprisingly that’s definitely pleasant.

PALATE:

– Mouth Feel: A rich and full body that has some bite.
– Balance: The rich mouth feel lends to a beautifully complex and blended balance.
– Visual: Mahogany colored with minimal legs but has some clinging, fat droplets in an upside-down crown formation.

– Taste: The dark fruit sticks around from the nose and is couple with a pinch of allspice to keep things interesting. These bolder flavors eventually give way to a stone fruit dusted with brown sugar that simply leaves one primed for the next sip.

With a Kentucky chew, there arises a bitterness that perches at the tip of the tongue that is reminiscent of leather, walnuts, and a subtle almond. With all of these flavors, there remains an undercurrent of caramel that is one second away from being burned. But man, what a great springboard for the other flavors…

I absolutely love the depth of it all. That being said, I do wish that there was a touch more oakiness to the taste.

FINISH:

– Lasting Power: Finishes as full and as long as it started, but there is a bitterness there waiting.

– No More: Left with a warm and full sensation with vanilla suddenly a key player begging to be hear.

Empty Glencairn smells like spicy oak. Definitely leaves you with an “I came. I saw. I conquered” kind of impression.

WORTH THE PRICE?

Yes

RATING: 92/100

Click to see Hannah’s rating process

Click 92/100 to access other whiskeys with this rating.
To access other whiskies from this distillery, click Maker’s Mark.

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Maker’s 46 Bourbon Review

Posted on by whiskeyfortheages

Hannah’s Maker’s 46 Bourbon Review

Original review written on November 14, 2019

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

While I do enjoy this bourbon, the Cask Strength from this distillery is preferred. However, the pricing and additional oak staves present during aging make this still a solid bourbon. Read my full Makers 46 Bourbon Review here! 89/100

VITALS:
Maker's 46 Bourbon Review

– Made in: Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Maker’s Mark Distillery
– Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
– Age: nas (believed to be 5-7 yrs.)
– Casks: “The innovative wood-stave-finishing process starts with fully matured Maker’s Mark at cask strength [with] 10 seared virgin French oak staves [inserted] into the barrel and finished for nine [additional] weeks”*
– Barrel Entry Proof: 110
– ABV: 47% (94 proof)
– Price: $46.95 USD in Idaho

*Notes from Maker’s Mark website makersmark.com

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

I enjoyed this juice neat from a Glencairn glass with father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer, Brian.

Check out his review for this bourbon here!

SETTING:

This setting plagued me quite a lot, with two competing worlds for this bourbon and where it would be most enjoyed. Let it be said that this has never happened before.

One the one hand, I crave to go to the state of Oklahoma and sit on the shores of a murky, muddy river with the sun beating down on my shoulders and rejuvenating me from the inside out.

Photo by Clint McKoy on Unsplash

Photo by Yang Jing on Unsplash

However, there is another rebellious side of this bourbon that longs to stand in the humid rainforest climate of India on the Ganges river with every color, sound and smell overtaking my senses to make me feel reborn.

Both are religious and spiritual experiences leaving me filled with gratitude that this bourbon is willing to share such picturesque moments with me.

NOSE:

Waiting for my glass to warm from the cold outside of the November evening, I’m enjoying strong oak as it erupts from the Glencairn. The alcohol is gentle mixing with an old maple syrup that has lost its big punch. Very sweet, but nevertheless, very welcoming. As it warms, I get overripe red delicious apples that pair with the maple syrup quite well. Just a smidge of tannins if you’re burying your face in the Glencairn. Don’t judge.

PALATE:

– Mouth feel: Very full and thick.
– Balance: Complex – the spice is JUST there to keep it interesting.
– Visual: Auburn with clinging droplets in the undisturbed glass.

– Taste: Candied apples drizzled in caramel comes to mind even on the very first sip. The alcohol is so subtle but carries with it just a bit of spice – I’m going with cinnamon, but again, it’s very subdued.

At the back of the throat, I’m getting creamy, vanilla custard. Though I must warn, letting a bourbon sit at the back of your throat for a prolonged period of time is not recommended. Do so at your own risk.

A Kentucky chew doesn’t do a great deal for a changing flavor profile, but wow, does it make the mouth water for the next sip!

With more time between sips, cherries and vanilla take over with the apples and an unsuspecting mandarin joining in.

FINISH:

– Lasting Power: A solid medium. I feel it in my taste buds more than in my throat or chest. Not bad.

– No More: As I continue to sip, the cherries (maraschino – yes, I’m beginning to wonder if I’m a magnet for them too) and the red delicious apples fight for dominance. There are worse arguments to be caught in the middle of. A slight bitterness also begins to make its way in too, maybe hazelnuts. I think I would prefer to not have this addition, but it’s not offputting.

(It’s now been 30 minutes. The cherry and apple have come to an agreement that the apple wins, minus a cameo of cherry on the finish.)

The empty Glencairn is a musty oak that is smooth all the way through.

WORTH THE PRICE?

Priced just right

RATING: 89/100

Click to see Hannah’s rating process

Click 89/100 to access other whiskeys with this rating.
To access other whiskies from this distillery, click Maker’s Mark.

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Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Review

Posted on by whiskeyfortheages

Brian’s Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Review:

written 03-October-2018

MAKER’S MARK CASK STRENGTH REVIEW:

Easy to drink and with little alcohol heat, Maker’s Mark Cask Strength has the potential to be a “dangerous” treat. The sweet bourbon flavours of caramel, vanilla, and oak dominate, but each subsequent sip coaxes hidden taste sensations. It is hard to believe this bourbon is 113.3 proof.

MAKER’S MARK CASK STRENGTH VITAL STATS:
Maker's Mark Cask Strength Review

– Region: Loretto, KY, USA
– Distiller: Maker’s Mark
– Mashbill: 70% corn; 16% soft red winter wheat; 14% malted barley
(It is said wheat adds a velvety thickness and a slight sweetness as opposed to rye’s spicier characteristics.)
– Barrel Char: Unpublished
– Barrel Entry Proof: 110
– Age: 5-7 years (unpublished)
– ABV: 56.65% (113.3 Proof)
(The proof varies by bottling and is purposely kept lower than most cask strength whiskies to prevent alcohol from overwhelming the taste.)
– Price: $59.95 USD in Idaho

Learn more at https://makersmark.com/

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!

NOSE:

A light and pleasant aroma greets the nose. Brown sugar, subtle baked cinnamon and oak are most pronounced.

PALATE:

Soft and warming vanilla greets the tongue and throat. There is a slight young oak woodiness, which is overshadowed by sweet caramel corn and orange blossom honey. Baking spices of cinnamon and nutmeg blend with the flavors of sweet brown sugared pastry topped with toasted almond slivers.

Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
Well balanced but not exactly full or smooth, Maker’s Mark Cask Strength coats the mouth in a white pepper bliss when swished and/or “chewed”. In the Glencairn toothpick leg fall quickly back into the burnt amber pool.

FINISH:

Maker’s Mark Cask Strength finishes quickly leaving only bourbon warmth and a desire for another sip.

MY RATING: 90/100

Will I seek out this whiskey in the future? Yes
Click to read Brian’s scoring process.

Click 90/100 to access other whiskies with this score.
To access other whiskies from this distillery, click Maker’s Mark.

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