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Maker’s Mark BRT-02 (BRT-02) is a fine bourbon and represents what Maker’s is doing with their Wood Series quite well. The aromas are awesome and the flavors follow them nicely, although I feel they are a bit subdued. BRT-02 is a maple and caramel bomb with some nice dark cherry, baking spices and a little dry old oak as well. For those who like caramel, maple, oak and a long finish, be sure to pick up a bottle if and when you get the chance.
MAKER’S MARK BRT-2 VITAL STATS:
Category: Straight Bourbon, Finished Bourbon Region: Loretto, KY Company: Beam Suntory Distillery: Maker’s Mark, DSP-KY-44 Mash Bill: 70% Corn, 16% Wheat, 14% Malted Barley Barrel Char: unpublished Barrel entry proof: 110 Finishing staves: 10 Virgin Toasted French Oak Staves added to the barrel during the last eight weeks of maturation. Age: nas Non-chill filtered ABV: 54.7% (109.4 Proof) NABCA CSC #: 19500 Release Date: Fall 2022 Price: $59.95 (Idaho, November 2022)
MAKER’S MARK 2022 BRT WOOD FINISHING SERIES:
2022 marks the fourth year Maker’s has produced the Wood Finishing Series. Each year has had a unique taste vision. This year the two releases focus on barrel rotation (cycling rackhouse location). The goal is to distinguish and enjoy the unique flavors found on the top floors while comparing them to barrels stored lower in the warehouse.
Since 1953, Maker’s consistent flavors have been credited to the hand-Barrel RoTation process. Top barrels in the rickhouse are brought to the bottom, and each level is then raised to ensure equal exposure to varying temperatures over time. The designation “BRT” for this year’s releases comes from this practice.
BRT-02 comes from the cooler bottom ricks. French oak staves help the liquid to react and impart dark depth.
The first waft of BRT-02 is warm and inviting. As I settle in, roasted corn and dusty wheat fade in and out. Then, red berries, caramel dipped cherries and other dark fruit mix with faint cinnamon and nutmeg. But more than anything, sweetness dominates the nose as rich vanilla, brown sugar, buttery caramel, maple syrup and dark molasses take turns on center stage. Under the sweets, I detect a solid foundation of roasted pinenuts, dry old oak planks and timber and the haze of barrel staves drying in the sun.
MAKER’S MARK BRT-2 PALATE:
As I sip, BRT-02 gives my mouth a mild burn with roasted corn and dusty wheat tempting the tongue. Like on the nose, I taste those dark caramel covered cherries, something I’ve not enjoyed before. They go nicely with warm baking spices of cinnamon, clove and black pepper. The sweets come through as well; dark chocolate, rich vanilla, burnt sugar, caramel, and dark molasses. Then maple syrup punches through, and the other sweets fade. As they do, I taste a bit of tongue depressor which may have been used to stir the syrup. There are a few roasted nuts in the pour along with a solid base of old dry seasoned oak, hazy char and ash.
Balance, Body, Feel and Look: While there is a bit of a burn, giving my mouth and throat a gentle tickle for the most part, BRT-02 is creamy and easy to hold. The maple goodness blends in from the aroma and taste, through to the finish. After each sip is downed, thin long legs break from the veil, as sparse fat droplets fall from a thick irregular crown back to the mahogany colored pool.
MAKER’S MARK BRT-2 FINISH:
Maker’s Mark BRT-02 offers a long, throat warming finish of over-roasted corn nicely balanced by wheaty softness. Like sensed on the nose and tasted on the palate, red berries, dark cherries, cinnamon and pepper fade after each sip. As they do, the sweetness of vanilla, brown sugar, and maple syrup drift over dry-roasted nuts, seasoned oak barrel char along with a hint of ash.
