Maker's Mark Cask Strength Batch 20-04 (109 Proof)

Score: 15/23 Initially, this presented a strong aroma of beets and mushrooms, a combination I dislike. After removing some liquid and letting it rest for a couple of weeks, I hoped for improvement. Nose: Predominantly woody with significant tannins, leaning toward beets but nicely offset by emerging chocolate notes. This offers some optimism. Further exploration reveals a hint of tangerine, followed by a gentle but persistent sweetness reminiscent of corn. A touch of tartness appears, initially enhancing the woody beet character before shifting towards cherry. Some earthy and spicy notes emerge, including dried ginger, clove, a hint of cinnamon, and subtle jalapeño. Faint traces of vanilla richness appear intermittently. A floral note, linked to the tangerine, also surfaces. While not the most profound or intricate nose I've experienced, and the lingering beet scent is a concern, its richness and fullness are promising. Palate: Robust and woody, transitioning to tannins and chocolate. The beet presence is now minimal and easily ignored, and the tannins have softened. The tannins have a slight baking spice quality. This has evolved from being less appealing than standard Maker's Mark to significantly better. The chocolate develops a flavor akin to a Tootsie Roll as moderate caramel, a bit of licorice, and some vanilla emerge. Flavors include chocolate, wood, cinnamon, black pepper, apple, orange peel, green apple, with a strong vanilla undertone. Finish: Tootsie Rolls, spices, wood. Occasional notes of tangerine. While not overly complex, it is deeply satisfying and has good length. - Conclusion - I'm finding considerable enjoyment in this. I'm uncertain if it justifies its price point, which was my initial assessment, but overpaying doesn't leave me feeling too disappointed. It's definitely not on par with a certain competitor (18-19/23). A score of 17 would be hard to justify for this, though perhaps conceivable. It more closely resembles another whiskey (14/23). This offering is somewhat richer and fuller, but considerably less complex. I appreciate that both possess uncommon flavor profiles. This one might be more suited for sipping due to its smoother character, but its fullness and richness also make it a better choice for mixing, placing it at least at a 14, if not higher. At times, I considered a higher score of 16 due to the rich chocolate notes, which became much more prominent after opening. I don't believe it falls below a 14, but it lacks complexity and a sense of age. It holds up well against another specific whiskey (15/23), yet struggles to surpass another (14/23). It also performs well compared to a George Dickel 15 Single Barrel. After careful consideration and comparison with several other spirits, I'm settling on a 15. It significantly outperforms certain other bourbons (11-13/23). On the other hand, a certain highly-rated competitor (18-19/23) isn't as distant as I'd anticipated. A George Dickel 15 now seems less impressive. Conversely, an independent bottling (18/23) offers greater complexity, maturity, and refinement. Therefore, its range is between 14 and 17. This makes a score of 16 more plausible than initially thought. With some aeration, it's quite pleasing, and I'm now leaning towards a 15 or 16. Before finishing it, I'll assign another score. Currently, I believe it's a 15, and I feel I've given it ample opportunity to impress.

The aroma features oak and subtle apple spice, with a taste of corn/wheat reminiscent of standard Maker's Mark, preceding a strong alcoholic finish. It's worth the modest price increase over regular MM.

Notes of oak and apple are present, with undertones of caramel and vanilla. The finish is somewhat hot initially but settles into a pleasant fruity warmth. It has a medium to long finish.

Slightly stronger, fuller, and more flavorful than the standard version, yet still recognizable.

From the 2020 March distillation, at 54.9% alcohol.

Woody