Review #: 13
Description: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Batch 15-01
Spirit: Bourbon
Background: Maker’s Mark is an iconic brand of wheated bourbon from Kentucky. The trademark dripping red wax stands out on the shelf in nearly every liquor store, even though there are only a handful of products under the brand. Every bottle is dipped by hand into the wax and there have been many limited editions and different colors that it makes for one of the most collected brands in the whiskey world. The cask strength takes the regular bourbon and cranks the level up to 10 and thankfully, comes in 375mL bottles. It is still affordable for cask strength at about $50, and even can be found on sale for $40. Fun Fact: It is my understanding that while most producers say “Barrel Proof,” Maker’s uses “Cask Strength” due to the Scottish influence when first founded.
Distillery – Maker’s Mark
Bottler – Maker’s Mark
Brand – Maker’s Mark
Selection – N/A
ABV – 55.65%
Age – NAS
Nose – Cherry, pear, apple pie, honey, clove
Taste – Cherry, cocoa, sweet bread, baking spices
Finish – Long warmth and cinnamon spice, apple pie into fruity sweetness finishing with baking spices
Score: 6
Would I buy a bottle? Yes
Thoughts: A real, wonderful high proof wheater here. I get a lot of fruit sweetness and baking spices all throughout. I was a little disappointed with the mouth feel being a bit thin and wish it was heavier and oilier, but where the taste lacks just a little, the finish makes up for it with warmth and complexity. As someone with a sweet tooth, wheated can be the way to get almost like a pastry, sweet flavor in the whiskey. Now I’m thinking I should go out and get a replacement bottle right now.