Maker's Mark Cask Strength Batch 20-02 (110.4 Proof)

Initial heat on the nose fades, revealing notes of vanilla, cinnamon, buttered wheat toast, hay, old barn wood, and cherry cobbler. The texture is a bit thin but surprisingly lingering and coats well, with a peppery tingle. Initial taste brings cherry coke and cinnamon discs, followed by spicy oak mid-palate and black coffee on the finish. A pleasant Kentucky hug develops, with a lingering aftertaste of slightly bitter oak, medicinal cherry, and cinnamon. A splash of water substitutes brown sugar for the cherry coke, making the tannins more noticeable and the finish spicier. Seems like it would be good with a large ice cube. Verdict: I don't often reach for this due to its $50 price, but it's on sale for $40 this month in North Carolina. I really disliked the new bottle design when it first came out, and I still think it's a step down from the previous squat, embossed version. However, it was starting to grow on me after seeing it in person. Sadly, when I pull the string under the wax, I find a screw cap. Oh well. The contents, which is what truly matters, are excellent. I appreciate cask strength offerings around 110 proof that can be enjoyed without much dilution. It's not an incredibly intricate pour, but the black coffee note is a new experience for me from this brand. At $40, I might purchase a couple to stock up this month.

A powerful caramel flavor! I had low expectations but was thoroughly amazed! It went from an unopened bottle on the lowest shelf to one I am eager to sample again soon. I'm genuinely surprised by the quality of this initial serving. I hope it remains consistent across future batches or bottles.

Finished the bottle. This improved significantly as I consumed more of it. Rich with brandied cherries, apricot, dried dark fruits, sweet and savory notes, wheat, chocolate, toffee, caramel, praline and baking spices, a long finish with sweet and savory notes, baking spices, mild chocolate and vanilla.

Some nice notes of caramel, honey, cherry, and grilled, buttery corn, but it’s a little disjointed and excessively hot, which makes it less enjoyable to me. Edit 8-14-22: Now half full/empty, the heat has subsided, and the best notes are better integrated. Quite enjoyable. Increased rating by 1/2 point.

Nose - apple and butterscotch. Body - a bit of a burn, apple but slightly bitter. Finish - dark chocolate. Great nose, but the body was disappointing.

Cherry and vanilla are certainly present. It's enjoyable, but not amazing. My spouse, who prefers bolder and stronger spirits, was quite fond of it.