Tag: Makers Mark

Elora’s Maker’s Mark BRT-02 Bourbon Review

Posted on by whiskeyfortheages

Elora’s Maker’s Mark BRT-02 Bourbon Review

Full Review on 14-March-2023

Maker’s Mark BRT-02 is very much unlike its counterpart, the BRT-01. While the BRT-01 was powerful in both aromas and flavors, the BRT-02 is soft-spoken, containing more subtle tones with pleasant freshness accompanying them.

MAKER’S MARK BRT-02 BOURBON VITAL STATS:
Elora’s Maker’s Mark BRT-02

– Category: Straight Bourbon Finished with 10 Virgin Oak Staves
– Region: Loretto, KY
– Distillery: Beam Suntory
– Distillery: Maker’s Mark
– Mashbill: 70% Corn, 16% Wheat, 14% Malted Barley
– Barrel Char: unpublished
– Barrel Entry Proof: 109.4
– Age: nas
– Filtration: non-chill
– ABV: 54.7% (109.4 Proof)
– NABCA CSC#: 19500
– No batch or bottle number identifiers
– Size: 750 ML
– Price: $59.95
Learn more Maker’s Mark.

ENJOYMENT METHOD

I enjoyed this bourbon neat while listening to miscellaneous music from numerous genres.

Check out Brian’s review here and Hannah’s review here!

AROMA

There is a strong whiff of oak in this bourbon when I first smell it, along with some fruity tones. Dark cherries emerge as well as pineapple, lime, and mango. This is already proving to be quite a tropicalbeverage, which is both intriguing and unusual for me, as I am used to warm, deep flavors being dominant. That being said, I can still detect some darker scents, such as browned butter, almost-burnt caramel, and brown sugar. There is also a baking element to this; I can smell sugar cookies and vanilla cake with a sugar glaze frosting. After noting these aromas, I am eager to give this beverage a try.

TASTE
Elora’s Maker’s Mark BRT-02

Feel: It doesn’t immediately burn the mouth when I let it settle on my tongue, and it doesn’t bloom
out from the chest. It rather leaves a comforting warmth all the way through, and after each sip, I am
encouraged to drink some more.
Balance: This bourbon has a very strong oaky and hardy background. Other elements like the fruity,
sugary, and brighter notes are still present, but they more highlight what is going on in the base of the
dram. While I think a strong foundation is great, I think I would like to taste slightly more of all of the
other flavors.
Visual: The color is very similar to that of Flame, and I can clearly see an outline of a crown with small,
thick droplets coming down from it. The legs aren’t as pronounced, but I can tell that they are long,
skinny, and very close to one another.

Immediately, I am greeted by woody and nutty flavors. Sweetened oak is very dominant as well as baked
peanuts and pecans. I do get some of the tropical scents that I detected in the nose, like mango and
pineapple, but they are subtle. One strong taste that I can get that was similar in the aroma is a baking
element. Again, I am able to get a tone of sugar cookies and vanilla cake. There is also a hint of
freshness; some elements of that are cool mint, parsley and cilantro leaves, and, though unusual, cold
mineral water. I am not getting too many spices, but there is some brininess to this. Just as I predicted,
this is a very interesting bourbon, and it leaves me with wanting more.

FINISH

To me, the finish is a medium length to a long one, but only in the feeling. The flavors dissipate first from
the sugary baked goods and fade into a pleasant freshness. I get a lot of the fresh herbs that I listed in
the taste, as well as the oak and nuts, but not so much of the other flavors. The refreshing feeling is what
lingers the most.

SONG CHOICE

“Young Blood” by Noah Kahan1
“October” by Eric Whitacre2

Unlike the Maker’s Mark BRT-01 Bourbon, this drink seems to be much more soft-spoken and mellow.
There are both bright and dark traits to it, but they are softer to me. “Young Blood” by Noah Kahan is a
song that encourages its listeners to try to live life the best that they can rather than just survive the
motions. This song, as of late, has been one I have gravitated to in my dark moments, and it convinces
me to try to find ways to enjoy life as a time for me to always keep learning and growing.

As for the symphonic selection. I went with Eric Whitacre’s tone poem, “October.” It demonstrates not only the warm
tones that can be found in the changing leaf colors, but also the emergence of cooler and brisker weather.

WORTH THE PRICE?

While I do enjoy what this bourbon has to offer, I would be less inclined to spend $60 on this. To me, I feel
like I can find bourbons with similar aromas and flavors for a lower price. I might be convinced to splurge
on it only to compare with its counterpart, the BRT-01, but that’s about it.

GET IT AGAIN?

As I stated in the Worth the Price, it’s a fine bourbon. I could be convinced to get it again – but for
a lower price.

RATING: 86%

To access other whiskies from this distillery, click Maker’s Mark.

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ELORA’S MAKER’S MARK BRT-02 BOURBON CITATIONS

1Noah Kahan, “Young Blood”, June 26, 2017, Noah Kahan – Young Blood (Official Video), [YouTube], Album: Busyhead
2Eric Whitacre, “October”, November 8, 2014, October, [YouTube], Album: North Texas Wind Symphony: Passions

Maker’s Mark BRT-01 Bourbon Review

Posted on by Dave Macdonald

Hannah’s Maker’s Mark BRT-01 Bourbon Review

Original review written on April 12, 2023

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

This is what bourbon should be, plain and simple. For someone who loves fruit in bourbon, this Marker’s Mark offering is an absolute home run. If it’s possible to find, you’ve got to try! 94/100

VITALS:
Maker's Mark BRT-01 Review

– Made in: Loretto, Kentucky, USA
– Distillery: Maker’s Mark Distillery
– Classification: Straight Bourbon with Special Finish
– Age: nas
– Mash Bill: Corn=70%; Soft red winter wheat=16%; Malted Barley=14%
– Casks: unpublished char
– Barrel Entry Proof: 110
– ABV: 54.7% (109.4 proof)
– Non-chill filtered
– Finishing Staves: 10 virgin toasted oak staves added to the barrel, which is then given an extra eight weeks of maturation
– Price: $59.95 USD in Idaho (November 2022)

“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-01 comes from the top (hotter) space of the rickhouse. American oak staves are inserted into the barrels to develop big and bold flavors extracted from the barrels during the first three years of aging.” – Maker’s Mark

Visit makersmark.com for more information

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

For this Maker’s Mark BRT-01 Review, I enjoyed the whiskey neat from a Glencairn glass with sister, Elora, as well as father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages editor, Brian.

Check out Brian’s review here, and Elora’s here!

SETTING:

This bourbon practically IS fruit syrup. It makes me want to pour it over a fruit cup and just bask in it and pretend I’m being extra healthy. This bourbon screams luxury and decadence, and prettily sliced fruit layered in intricate patterns and BRT-01 are a match made in heaven.

Photo by Hans Reniers on Unsplash

NOSE:

Maker’s Mark products are often classified by a smooth inhale with dark fruits coming to greet you. BRT-01, instead, starts with a punch of brown sugar and cinnamon. Behind these baking spices, is a rich vanilla custard and even a maraschino cherry, which isn’t something I frequently find on a nose. I can find a sweet maple buried in a new oak as well, adding almost a sunny warmth. The alcohol is gentle, even being at nearly 110 proof. It’s a nose that makes me salivate – more than most whiskeys do.

PALATE:
Maker's Mark BRT-01 Review

– Mouth Feel: Velvet. It grips the tongue in a hug, but you are certainly running with the “soft” grain of the velvet.
– Balance: Fruit heavy. You have to search for other profiles, and it might difficult… but it will be there.
– Visual: Terracotta pot in color, the crown shatters quickly into droplets. What’s left are long, clinging legs that break into scattered droplets.

– Taste: The start of the sip – and truly, I only mean the very start – contains the wheaty grain, but it transitions so quickly into a maraschino cherry that’s been soaked in fruit syrup. There’s a bright acidity here as well, like the pineapple that could be found in the fruit cup next to that cherry. A light vanilla appears for a moment, but the hero of this palate really is the fruit. (Readers who know me: I bet you can sense my pure glee at this moment). There’s yellow-fleshed peach that fades into almonds ever-so-slightly.

I will say that the complexity is slightly lacking here – fruit is dominant from start to finish, and if that’s your favored profile, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a bourbon doing it better than BRT-01. If you want heavy spice, or oak, you’ll have to hunt. Nevertheless, you can still find those things underneath the fruit. The oak is new, much like it was on the nose. New like it was just milled and the moisture hasn’t seeped out yet. The spices consist largely of ones to use when baking, like nutmeg.

A Kentucky chew aggravates the vanilla, which makes me salivate even more. It doesn’t particularly hurt, and I quickly give into the temptation to do it again.

FINISH:

– Lasting Power: Medium-long. Heat lingers on the tongue and bourbon warmth persists everywhere.
– Between Sips: A nearly burnt caramel appears between sips accompanied by one or two sour cherries.

– No More: This stays consistent throughout the glass – in fact, it even gets better. The warmth grows without seeming to peak, and it’s easy to fall into a fruit haze. It’s an incredibly impressive pour, and as soon as I set the glass down, I want another sip.

The empty Glencairn is a warm sawdust, as if it was freshly milled and the heat of the saw is still present. There’s more spice in the empty glass than there was in the original pour, but I am still perfectly content. A great pour finishing with a great empty glass…. when is the next pour?

WORTH THE PRICE?

I wish there were more of these bottles available now. It’s an easy decision – if you see this bottle on the shelf, then you need to grab it. It’s a great addition to the Wood Finishing Series from Maker’s, and it could very well be the best. $60.00 gets you exactly what a bourbon should be without breaking the bank too hard.

MAKER’S MARK BRT-01 REVIEW RATING: 94/100

Click to see Hannah’s rating process

Click 94/100 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 Cask Strength Review

Posted on by whiskeyfortheages

Hannah’s Maker’s 46 Cask Strength Review

Original review written April 12, 2022

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

This one is another home run for the Maker’s line, and certainly better than the original Maker’s 46 (which isn’t bad at all). Dark, rich, and warm, who could ask for anything more? 94/100

VITALS:
Maker's 46 Cask Strength Review

– Made In: Loretto, Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Maker’s Mark Distillery
– Classification: Wheated Bourbon
– Age: nas (believed to be 5-7 yrs.)
– Mash Bill: Corn=70%; Soft red winter wheat=16%; Malted Barley=14%
– Casks: unpublished char
– Barrel Entry Proof: 110
– ABV: 54.8% (109.6 proof)
– Price: $59.95 USD in Idaho 2022

Visit makersmark.com for more information on the wood staves used for this bourbon

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 of this bourbon here!

SETTING:

Believe it or not, I imagine enjoying this bourbon in a warehouse. It may be full of activity and the bustle of things to do, or it may be empty, full of possibility and room to explore. Either way, I think Maker’s 46 Cask Strength will keep your palate warm and your mind open as you look out at the little empire carved out just for you.

Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash

NOSE:

Cinnamon, nutmeg, caramel, and dark vanilla cross the nose first – all classic Maker’s tells. I also find ripe apples sprinkled in dark brown sugar, begging to be baked in a pie, or at least cooked to lay over some vanilla ice cream. There’s new oak, roasted chestnuts (again with a brown sugar glaze), and a bit of molasses to give this sweet bourbon a darker, sturdier foundation. The alcohol isn’t particularly aggressive, though deeper inhales do give a slight sting to the nose, all the same. This bourbon overall, smells warm and quite rich with a lot of my favorite bourbon qualities being offered (at least here on the nose).

PALATE:
Maker's 46 Cask Strength Review

– Mouth Feel: This has a viscous mouth feel with a grip on the palate that makes it incredibly enjoyable.
– Balance: Complex. Though there’s a lot of sweetness here, everything seems grounded in the proof of the bourbon and makes everything very approachable.
– Visual: Auburn in color, this leaves thick legs and plenty of clinging droplets falling from an irregular crown.

– Taste: The proof makes itself more noticeable here on the palate, emerging and blending with apples, pastry, and light vanilla. There’s similar spice to what was on the nose, from cinnamon to nutmeg, as well as allspice now too. I find toasted marshmallow and cranberry fruit leather at the back of the palate, of all combinations. And strangely enough, it works – with light bittersweet knocking back some of the harsher sugary notes the marshmallow brings.

As stated, the proof is more pronounced here; however, it’s not overly strong, acting more as a way to warm the bourbon from a sensation standpoint. It’s taking me a while to be motivated to do a Kentucky chew, simply because I am enjoying this pour as it is. When I do partake in a Kentucky chew, some dark cherries and more brown sugar come forth with the burn of the alcohol.

FINISH:

– Lasting Power: Medium. This is warm in the throat, but there isn’t a great deal of aftertaste lingering behind.
– Between Sips: Spices like ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon linger between sips, and it’s a pleasant, warm aspect of this finish that is entirely welcome.

– No More: This only grows on me the longer I sip, and it’s a bourbon I truly find difficult to review, because I simply want to sit back and enjoy it while it’s here. The warmth grows, and the fruit of the cranberry leather and apple intensifies in the best way and makes this just so good.

The empty Glencairn is a spicy, oaky sawdust and an absolute good way to finish this glass. And this is one of those rare instances where I actually run out to grab just a bit more for the glass; I’m just not finished with this yet!

WORTH THE PRICE?

$60 is an absolute yes for this bourbon. I’d love to keep it permanently in the bunker and I’ll certainly look forward to finding this around our stores in Idaho. This ticks all the boxes for my kind of bourbon, and I’m happy to have this bottle finally open.

MAKER’S 46 CASK STRENGTH REVIEW RATING: 94/100

Click to see Hannah’s rating process

Click 94/100 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