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– Casks: unpublished char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
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