Review #5: Maker's Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky

Welcome to our Shelter in Bourbon series. You may not be able to go outside, but at least you don't have to be socially distant from your bottles. Cozy-up with a double bottle for this one.

Intro:

After profiling a few bourbons across the spectrum, we thought it was time to discuss a big name (maybe the biggest) in the bourbon world. You cannot go into a store without finding Maker’s. Maker’s was the first bourbon we’ve tried together, but it’s been a stalwart for him since college. It is honestly the "go to" in many situations. Its great as an everyday bourbon, does well in mixed drinks, and holds its own as a nice sipping bourbon, though not as good as 46 or Private Select. More on those later.

The Backstory:

Maker’s Mark as we know it started in 1953 when Bill Samuels, Sr. set the 170-year-old family recipe on fire and started over. I personally love that he snubbed his nose to the established way in lieu of something better. Instead of spending the time to distill, barrel, age, and test his new recipes, he opted to try different recipes by baking break until he came to what we know as their batch today. What we all know as the distinctive red wax seal came from Margie Samuels (Bill’s wife). She thought it was a great way to 1) distinguish the brand on the shelves, 2) ensure that each bottle that went out couldn’t be altered with anything other than what was bottled, and 3) elegantly express the quality and craftsmanship that went into each bottle. The distillery and brand have gone through a number of acquisitions over the years, but since 2014 it has been part of the Beam Suntory umbrella.

The Maker’s we all know today is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon that is 45% ABV (90 Proof). The bottle doesn’t have an aging label, primarily because the Maker’s process is reliant on their in-house tasting panel to pick and choose barrels that go into the batch process. Maker’s is naturally a bit sweeter as it distinctively uses wheat instead in its mash instead of rye.

The grounds at Makers Mark Distillery in Loretto, KY

Maker's Mark

Tasting Notes:

According to Maker’s Mark: The aroma is woody oak, caramel, vanilla, and wheat prevail in the nose. The taste is sweet and balanced with caramel, vanilla, and fruity essences. The finish is smooth and subtle.

According to Him: I definitely get the oak smell (occasionally with a little bit of the smoky char) and caramel. I tend to get a little more of the fruit in the aroma vs. taste. The vanilla (and overall sweetness) is very pronounced for me in the taste. It hits you at the front and back of the pallet, but it's not overpowering. I get a prolonged, moderate, hug in the back of pallet as the taste lingers.

According to Her:

It smells sweet on the nose. I am getting bits of vanilla, pecan and brown sugar. Yum! That sweetness is quickly replaced with a slight burn of the spice when you taste it. I can taste hints of the oak barrel, spices that build as you sip: cinnamon, anise, and nutmeg. It also leaves you with a smooth, sweet aftertaste of caramel.

The Rating:

4 out of 5 Glasses. We’ll be honest there is a little bit of bias here because it was the first real bourbon we tried and enjoyed together. Thus, starting a new hobby for us as a couple. However, we know it belongs on that middle shelf. Front and center next to our Buffalo Trace (but absolutely at the forefront).