Makers Mark Bourbon Review Archives – Page 4 of 7

Maker’s Mark RC6 Bourbon Review

Posted on 09-October-202129-June-2022 by whiskeyfortheages

Hannah’s Maker’s Mark RC6 Bourbon Review

Original review written October 5, 2021

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Very sweet, and very fruity, this tastes great, and I would definitely share with someone who doesn’t like the heat. I do wish there was more wood or spice for balance, but this is still enjoyable. 85/100

VITALS:

– Made In: Loretto, Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Maker’s Mark Distillery
– Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey; Wheated Whiskey; Wood Finishing Series
– Age: nas (believed to be about 6 yrs. old)
– Mash Bill: Corn=70%; Soft Red Winter Wheat=16%; Malted Barley=14%
– Casks: unpublished char
– Barrel Entry Proof: 110
– ABV: 54.1% (108.2 proof)
– Price: $69.95 USD in Idaho (2019)

Visit makersmark.com for more information on the Wood Finishing Series

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

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

Check out his review for this bourbon here!

SETTING:

While this bourbon isn’t exactly floral, I think it’s simplicity would pair well with a field of brightly colored flowers and grass. The earth can ground you in ways that this pour may not be able to, while still working off of the sweetness already present in the air. It’s soft, and it’s warm, and it doesn’t need anywhere fancy for it to be properly enjoyed.

Photo by Henry Be on Unsplash

NOSE:

Immediately on the nose, this is a caramel and vanilla bomb. The oak has a light, smoky essence that only allows for the sweet smells to be more pronounced. There is some dark brown sugar accompanying it, along with some graham crackers and maple syrup. I find a slight nutty element as well – perhaps pecans – and it makes for a very buttery nose, overall. A strong argument could be made for the presence of cherries, but not maraschino. These are dark, bing cherries. The alcohol is very soft, and only on deep inhales, are you going to find a bit of a zing. Very excited for the palate on this one!

PALATE:

– Mouth Feel: The caramel and maple both serve to make the whole mouth feel very syrupy and even a bit oily.
– Balance: Unexpected. The flavors are dominantly sweet and fruity, and while I like these flavors, I do wish there was some significant wood or spice to complement the sweetness.
– Visual: Carrot in color, this even looks oily in the glass, with a defined and thick crown that gives way to a curtain of thick legs.

– Taste: Caramel, maple, and cherry are the most obvious on the first sip. The cherries explode a lot like pop rocks candy does, chased surprisingly, by a yeasty component. I think this is where the wheat from the mash bill is the strongest, as the yeast does come across quite bready. There also seems to be currants with their own little pop of flavor, and nutmeg too. If I squint, some red delicious apples join the currants for brightness, as well as plums that contribute more to the darker flavors.

The alcohol is still quite mild, only with a hint of a bite on the palate. When I partake in a Kentucky chew, raisins, white pepper, and burnt caramel come forth, along with some alcohol bite.

As many of you know, I’m sure, fruits are among my favorite flavors to find in a bourbon, so you can imagine I am pleased with this palate. The only thing that I could critique slightly, is that I am struggling to find a definite base to this bourbon. In other words, I cannot find much oak on the palate, despite it having been present on the nose. This is still a good bourbon, but I do think an oaky foundation could have taken it to the next level. I find this realization surprising actually, as RC6 does belong to the Wood Finishing Series. Again, this is still a great tasting bourbon!

FINISH:

– Lasting Power: Medium-Long. I get some warmth, and some flavor, but the heat lingers the longest just at the back of the palate.
– Between Sips: I find fruit leather and some allspice between sips, and both work together extremely well on an empty palate.

– No More: The caramel grows the further into the glass I get, with some light vanilla bean joining it. It remains soft in alcohol and sweet overall, with no new bursts of spice or wood to be found.

The empty Glencairn is incredibly oaky, and I really wish that even just some of that oak had been present in the rest of the pour. A bit of the yeast comes back here also to make for an earthy, empty glass. Again, I wish these flavors had been more prominent on the palate.

WORTH THE PRICE?

At $70 USD (in 2019, mind you), I think this is maybe priced just a little high. This is easily $50, and I’d gladly pay $60 because I like the flavor profile. I don’t regret this bottle in the collection, and I am looking forward to another pour, but I don’t think I’ll lament too much when it’s gone. And I don’t think I’ll lament at all that I can’t find another bottle out on the market. It’s worth it, but just barely. I’m glad I got to try this limited bottle, and it’s the fact that it’s limited that allows me to say it’s worth the price. If this was regularly on the shelves, I don’t think I’d feel the need to keep it on hand in the bunker.

MAKER’S MARK RC6 BOURBON REVIEW RATING: 85/100

Click to see Hannah’s rating process

Click 85/100 to access other whiskeys with this rating.
To access other whiskies from this distillery, click Maker’s Mark.

Back to…

Hannah’s Whiskey Reviews
Whiskey Reviews

Maker’s Mark Private Select ID Director’s Cut Batch #6 Review

Posted on 19-October-202029-June-2022 by whiskeyfortheages

Hannah’s Maker’s Mark Private Select ID Director’s Cut Batch #6 Review

Original review written October 17, 2020

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Maker’s Mark Private Select ID Director’s Cut Batch #6 Review: If you are looking for the fruit and spice face-off of bourbon, any Maker’s with stave selections like Batch #6 will deliver. Each sip is full of fun and entertainment. 95/100

VITALS:

– Made In: Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Maker’s Mark Distillery
– Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey; Private Select
– Age: nas (other Director’s Cuts have been approximately 8 yrs in age)
– Mash Bill: Corn=70%; Soft red winter wheat=16%; Malted barley=14%
– Casks: Char #3
– Barrel Entry Proof: 110
– ABV: 53.5% (107 proof)
– MMPS ID-DCB6 finishing staves:
4 Baked American Pure (P2) – adds sweet brown vanilla, caramel and brown spice
3 Maker’s Mark 46 (46) – adds dried fruit, vanilla and spice
2 Roasted French Mocha (Mo) – adds char, maple and cacao
1 Toasted French Spice (Sp) – adds smoke, coumarin and spice
– Stave Selectors: Idaho State Liquor Division
– Price: $69.95 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:

This one is so complex and warm, I really don’t think it needs anything extravagant. Have Batch #6 alone at a picnic table surrounded by quiet and a warm-enough sun. Let your thoughts and feelings wash over you in your solitude. #6 will keep you company and give you a bit of warmth to smile about.

Photo by Hannah Busing on Unsplash

NOSE:

Initial inhales bring out seasoned dark fruit and a marshmallow sweetness. The seasoning includes cinnamon and black pepper (albeit subtle). It’s sprinkled on the fruit in such a way that the fruit may be dried, though that was not immediately apparent to me. The seasoning also contributes to a wheaty/grassy element that likely derives from the mash bill.

Deep draws coax out a dark caramel/brown sugar as well as hard oak that blend together well. Not a lot of heavy alcohol on the nose, reminding me of some of its other Maker’s siblings. However, I can easily tell that there is a greater sense of darkness in the #6 as opposed to others, and maybe more richness and complexity also.

PALATE:

– Mouth Feel: A distinct tickle that is unaggressive, yet very fun.
– Balance: For as much fruit as there is here, spice meets it sip for sip. Excellent blend.
– Visual: Tawny in color, there is a lingering crown, with fast-dropping legs of varying sizes.

– Taste: Juicy dark fruits burst forth, but they have the mouth feel of something akin to peach fuzz. Cinnamon and nutmeg add to the fruit, creating this dark, syrupy treat.

A hint of black pepper kicks in just at the back of the palate. Other fruit begin to come in with this black pepper kick – among them figs and yellow-fleshed peach. Light vanilla and caramel tickle the tip of the tongue, helping to make every aspect of the palate light up.

Somehow, floating in and around these flavors is a cherry blossom perfume, mixed with a sturdy oak barrel char that adds smoke and depth to every solid flavor.

The alcohol, as a whole, is still mild, but with the various spice and char in every second of the sip, I know that this little 107 proof has big dreams to burn. A Kentucky chew brings out a fun tingle that doesn’t quite sting. I taste cherry and apple blossoms here strongly, backed by cinnamon, char and light brown sugar. Very delicious!

FINISH:

– Lasting Power: Very long. The warmth clings and clings, even to the teeth. And the aftertaste here with the warmth is great.
– Between Sips: Cherries, vanilla and barrel char. Could I ask for anything more in this category?

– No More: Stronger fruit leather and an unexpected, but tasty, apple tart come into play the further I get into the glass. The spice and original fruit are still here too; they just have extra companions.

The empty Glencairn has a spicy barrel char, with black pepper leading the way. All in all, a great pout that I look forward to having again.

WORTH THE PRICE?

Out of all of the Director’s Cuts I’ve had, Batch #6 is undoubtedly my favorite, and I do think it is worth the price at $70. Director’s Cuts as a whole from Maker’s I think are usually worth trying at least once, with only a couple batches unlikely to be worth the asking price. Luckily for us, this one definitely was worth it!

RATING: 95/100

Click to see Hannah’s rating process

Click 95/100 to access other whiskeys with this rating.
To access other whiskies from this distillery, click Maker’s Mark.

Back to…

Hannah’s Whiskey Reviews
Whiskey Reviews

Maker’s Mark Private Select ID Director’s Cut Batch #4 Review

Posted on 19-October-202029-June-2022 by whiskeyfortheages

Hannah’s Maker’s Mark Private Select ID Director’s Cut Batch #4 Review

Original review written on October 15, 2020

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Maker’s Mark Private Select ID Director’s Cut Batch #4 Review: Sweet and mellow, as is standard with Maker’s, this is enjoyable to those who like floral notes. This is a good offering, but I wish there was a bit more complexity to be found. 84/100

VITALS:

– Made In: Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Maker’s Mark Distillery
– Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey; Private Select
– Age: nas (other Director’s Cuts have been approximately 8 yrs in age)
– Mash Bill: Corn=70%; Soft red winter wheat=16%; Malted barley=14%
– Casks: Char #3
– Barrel Entry Proof: 110
– ABV: 53.5% (107 proof)
– MMPS ID-DCB4 finishing staves:
3 Seared French Cuvée (Cu) – adds roasted/toasted oak and caramel
3 Maker’s Mark 46 (46) – adds dried fruit, vanilla, and spice
2 Roasted French Mocha (Mo) – adds char, maple, and cacao
1 Baked American Pure (P2) – adds sweet brown vanilla, caramel, and brown spice
1 Toasted French Spice (Sp) – adds smoke, coumarin and spice
– Stave Selectors: Idaho State Liquor Division
– Price: $69.95 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:

Batch #4, while good, has an aura of affluence – so much so, that I could easily see sipping some of this in an upper class restaurant, where the seats are leather and sophisticated. The seating and atmosphere may be dark in nature, but the sweetness and lightness of #4 make everything meld together nicely.

Photo by Souranshi Magazine on Unsplash

NOSE:

Mild, with dried fruit, particularly raisins, come forth the strongest for me on the initial inhale. Behind that, I find brown sugar, soft vanilla, and a small hint of cinnamon and maple. While these seem dark, this is still a mild pour, tempered likely by the wheat and barley of the mash bill. I can also find a soft oak that keeps things mellow, yet warm. There is a toasted nut element, but I can’t quite make out what it is specifically, but it pairs well with a toffee.

Somewhere in here is a sweet bread bun with a simple syrup/honey glaze brushed over the top. I really like this gentle, yeasty component; it adds a layer of complexity to the nose, for sure.

PALATE:

– Mouth Feel: Oily, with little grip… maybe even creamy.
– Balance: Decent. Flower sticks out, but doesn’t overpower the other flavors.
– Visual: Honey in color, there is a lingering crown with slow-dropping, fat legs.

– Taste: On the first sip, I get a mix of maraschino cherry, while also a cool freshness of an herbal note. It’s certainly floral, with a rose-like blossom and light fruit too. It’s sweet, but not approaching sickly sweet, which is nice.

Not much in the way of spice, except maybe a dash of cinnamon. I get a sense of pear, mixing with light vanilla and a little brown sugar/caramel.

The yeasty bread is gone, along with the nuts. The oak, however, remains, but it tastes and feels like it’s been soaked in water, and I could chew the wood chips contentedly.

I pushed this one around HARD with a Kentucky chew, only feeling the burn after about 10 seconds. What comes of it is a very floral apple blossom, with a hint of cherry. Otherwise, the alcohol on this is VERY mild and unlikely to burn an experienced whiskey drinker.

I realize I noted that the nose was mellow, but this palate is INCREDIBLY mellow, with little for me to grip onto and not a lot of richness or complexity. It’s good, but not great. (Remember, I like bold and dark profiles – this could very easily be phenomenal to those who lean to floral notes.)

FINISH:

– Lasting Power: Long. While the warmth stays only in the mouth and throat, the flavor lingers.
– Between Sips: I feel like I’m chewing on a rose petal, or maybe a flower of slightly less intensity. Hint of vanilla and not-quite-ripe pear accompany the flower petals.

– No More: It feels sweet the further I get into the glass – note that I said FEELS. Everything about this screams floral – ALMOST too floral. I feel as though if the palate/taste could be turned into a perfume, I’d very likely get a headache.

The empty Glencairn is an oak that WANTS to be spicy, but doesn’t quite make it all the way there. I wish I could say the floral heaviness dissipated, but it just didn’t.

WORTH THE PRICE?

At $70 USD, this seems like a big ask for those who like the bolder flavors. Out of the Director’s Cuts that I’ve enjoyed (Batches 3, 5, 6, and 7), Batch #4 is definitely my least favorite, and I recommend spending the $70 on a different batch.

RATING: 84/100

Click to see Hannah’s rating process

Click 84/100 to access other whiskeys with this rating.
To access other whiskies from this distillery, click Maker’s Mark.

Back to…

Hannah’s Whiskey Reviews
Whiskey Reviews