Maker's Mark Private Select Bourbon

Master Distiller March 2021 selection Stave Profile: Baked American Pure: 5 Seared French Cuvee: 0 Maker's Mark 46: 1 Roasted French Mocha: 0 Toasted French Spice: 4 55.0% alcohol by volume; 110 proof Opened 4 weeks ago Nose - Charred barrel, spicy cinnamon, toasted sourdough, black cherry, orange spiced tea, burnt marshmallow, and moderate ethanol. Palate - Red hot cinnamon and charred wood, dry baking spices, medicinal cherry, nutmeg, and black pepper. The finish is medium with dry and bitter oak, charcoal, cherry cinnamon candy, and a strong ethanol kick. These combination packs are usually $60. Seeing them at retail for $45 in Kentucky prompted a purchase, especially considering Maker's 46 Cask Strength is typically $60 and Private Selections usually cost $70-75. This is likely my least favorite Maker's stave finish experienced so far. The aroma is very good, but the taste is too intense and lacks depth. If the taste mirrored the aroma, it would be closer to 4.5 stars. Still a good deal at the price I paid, but I would not buy this specific bottle at the suggested retail price.

A pick from Liquor City Uncorked, "Gallenstein's Selection Batch #9" Date: August 2022 Stave Profile: Baked American Pure: 3 Seared French Cuvee: 5 Maker's Mark 46: 0 Roasted French Mocha: 2 Toasted French Spice: 0 54.45% ABV; 108.9 proof Opened 5 weeks Nose - Caramel, toasted oak, cinnamon, vanilla bean, allspice, honey-roasted almonds, and moderate ethanol. Palate - Butterscotch vanilla cream, gingerbread, sweet oak, black cherry, and cardamom. The finish is medium-long with slightly dry oak, cinnamon powder, brown sugar, stale gingerbread, and light ethanol. This selection is very drinkable and reminds me of the recent Wood Finishing Series BRT-01. It's not overly complex, but it delivers the signature sweet and toasted oak notes that Maker's excels at. I usually skip these store picks because they are so readily available. I can always grab one later, right? But for me, they are comparable to Rare Breed or Jack Daniel's SBBP. I'm always satisfied when I have this type of bottle in my collection.

The aroma is quite peppery, with abundant rye and oak spices leading. Brown sugar, caramel, and vanilla are also present. The mouthfeel fully accentuates the spices, accompanied by a mild burn at the back of the throat. The caramel and brown sugar linger on the roof of the mouth, creating a mouth-watering sensation, while the vanilla note is subdued and sits near the teeth. The finish is extended, allowing all the flavors to meld enjoyably in the mouth. It's clear this is a Maker's Mark product, as the aroma and taste retain much of the standard profile, but all notes are amplified and more pronounced. This stave combination is highly effective. Overall Impression: Aroma 4.25/5; Taste: 4.25/5; Finish: 4.25/5; Score: 4.25/5 Repurchase: Limited availability (Not possible). Type: Special Occasion.

4.0 stars - Excellent; 375 ml I'm hopeful this indicates a positive trend. This bottle was part of a two-pack of 375 ml bottles, one being MM 46 CS and the other a MM Private Select. I've noticed a pattern of distilleries bundling 200 ml or 375 ml bottles. This size allows for a full experience of the whiskey without the investment of a 750 ml bottle. For the price of a standard bottle, one can sample two or three of their premium offerings. Recipe: 5 Baked American Pure, 1 MM 46, 4 Toasted French Spice. The aroma is deeply rich caramel. The taste features chocolate brownie and toasty oak. Well executed.

Sweet aroma, like brown sugar and crisp apples, reminiscent of Maker's. Visually appealing, with substantial, lingering legs. The taste begins with significant sweetness. A touch of tart, underdeveloped apple is present, but cinnamon dominates and persists. A faint note of cigarette tobacco emerges at the finish, which is undesirable but the sole drawback. Adding ice reveals chocolate and some typical Maker's fruit notes.

Total Wine fall 2021 selection. Hear me out. A couple drops, JUST a few drops of water, and this is fantastic. On its own, it's a bit hot and tight on the palate. A tiny bit of water reveals fresh honey on the nose, some cooked brown sugar, charred oak, and a hint of smoke. The palate is sweet but balanced with caramel, charred oak, some red hot candy, peanut, and surprisingly dark chocolate and coffee bean towards the end of the finish. It's really nice.