Maker's Mark Bourbon

My preferred whiskey so far, worth every penny! So, a group of my friends and I have a whiskey tasting club called "Ernesto Gomes", and we decided to buy this wheat bourbon because we heard it smelled like dulce de leche. It met our expectations. On the nose, it's very pleasant; despite the 45% ABV, the alcohol presence on the nose is quite low. Vanilla, dulce de leche, some sugar, bakery notes, cornbread, sweet bread, pastry, and similar items, with truly interesting complexity and very agreeable notes. On the palate, it's bold, making the tongue numb, but it's a sweet numbness. The flavor is mellow; upon contact with the palate, it has a liqueur-like quality, which is very intriguing. The finish leaves vanilla and natural coconut candy in the mouth; this one also tastes and smells a lot like candy. In summary, our friend is a great choice for bourbon, and while it's considered a standard elsewhere, it's quite sophisticated here in Brazil, truly delivering on its promise. I gave it an 8.2/10, but on a 5-star scale, 4/5 seems more appropriate. Shall we serve it? 🥃🍮

Maker’s Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon (Bourbon, 45% alcohol by volume) USA 12/14/2024 Ankara Nose: Intense sweetness of caramel, vanilla, and brown sugar aromas are accompanied by cinnamon and light woody notes. The nose is quite sweet and the alcohol is noticeable. Palate: The sweetness from the nose is also present on the palate, but spicy aromas are more prominent here. Caramel and vanilla flavors are joined by strong cinnamon and light oak notes. Finish: Medium length, with a dry, woody, slightly bitter, and caramel finish. Maker's Mark is a whiskey with dominant caramel and vanilla, and a spicy character that will satisfy Bourbon lovers. 82/100

I'm giving this a 3.25 because, realistically, there are many more intricate bourbons available. However, if I'm at an airport or a bar, I'll choose this Maker's Mark most of the time, unless there's a good offer on a pour I've been wanting to sample. I enjoy wheated bourbons, and Maker's is my usual selection (especially since WSR isn't always accessible). In fact, the Maker's line offers excellent value. In any event, this one has nice vanilla and oak notes. If you see me at the airport, I'm likely enjoying this one!

The nose suggests aged, dusty oak wood with a touch of vanilla sweetness and grain. The flavor, when neat, is also an unremarkable, blended experience with no distinct notes, just a general woody bourbon character, but with a slightly bittersweet finish. This latter sensation is also amplified with coke, presenting as a somewhat bitter woodiness, though quickly followed by a hint of red fruits and a subtle vanilla presence throughout.

The aroma doesn’t give much away; it’s somewhat abrasive, featuring just a trace of honey and toasted bread. However, I find this spirit possesses more depth than its scent suggests; it’s quite peppery, though not unpleasantly so, concluding with a brief smoky tail that carries a touch of sweetness. It’s a bit of a firecracker due to its strong peppery character; if that appeals to you, you’ll be a fan!

A bourbon with a bittersweet profile, starting with an aromatic introduction of grains, wood, fruits, herbs, and spices. Its rich development introduces notes of oak, caramel, and vanilla, leading to a medium-length bittersweet finish with hints of tree fruits, honey, nuts, and toffee. May 2017 / July 2022