Makers Mark Cask Strength – Batch # 21-01

• DISTILLERY – Makers Mark – Beam Suntory
• REGION – Loretto, Kentucky
• AGE – NAS
• STRENGTH – 55.3% ABV (110.6 Proof)
• MASHBILL – 70% Corn, 16% Wheat, 14% Malted Barley
• MSRP – $39

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GLANCE

Clear appearance with deep intensity. Brown – medium intensity maple syrup color. High viscosity, very oily with tall legs.

NOSE

The sweetness from the grain hits you right away. As you let it open up, I got freshly polished leather and deep oak influences. Peanut butter with peanut dustings and brown sugars. Very grain forward with some notes of vanilla and caramel.

TASTE

Notes picked up on the nose follow through on the palate. Very grain forward and leathery. Mouth-feeling and warm with medium to pronounced falvour intensity. Very peppery feel with heat with some caramel and brown sugars ringing through. Towards the end I got earthy and pine notes.

FINISH

Medium to long finish with baking spices, vanilla, and some ginger.

CLOSING REMARKS

Definitely a boost up from their basic offering but I would choose Makers Mark 46 over this. And its cheaper! Makers Mark has in recent years come to known to be great at finishing their product which delivers such unique and complex flavors. Being that it is a wheated bourbon, it creates a softer more approachable/sweeter and smoother flavor profile. When I look at this offering overall, it definitely comes off as the most raw down to earth offering from Makers Mark. Hence making it very one dimensional in flavor compared to the other products they offer. For the price point and for an “unfinished” bourbon, it packs a punch full of peppery heat, baking spices and underlying caramel sweetness. I see this being a great bbq sipper or would make for a mean old fashioned. Cheers!

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