Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series 2022 BRT-01

I have been purchasing Maker's Wood Finishing Bourbons since they first became available. I missed the 2019 release, but I have the 2020, both 2021s, and both 2022s. So far, the only one I've tried is the second 2020 FAE-02. After finishing it, I enjoyed it so much I purchased another bottle. I have long been a Maker's enthusiast; they are likely my preferred bourbon brand. Selling their special releases at $59.99 fosters a loyalty that brands constantly increasing their prices do not earn. I opened this tonight for a special Christmas Eve treat. Last Saturday, I opened John Paul Christmas Whisky for a special Christmas dram, but I chose the Maker's tonight as the last thing I would have before my wife and I placed gifts under the tree. Of course, I still need to read The Polar Express to my children. This is a tradition my grandfather started for me and my siblings when I was young, and my father continues it for my kids. We arrange for him to stand outside the window while I read to my children, and I open the window slightly so he can jingle bells. My children believe Santa is passing by. I cherish this. My daughter is growing up, and this might be the last year he does this, but fortunately, he is still spry and manages to leave quickly after jingling. It ended with my grandfather when my brother ran out and caught him attempting to sneak away. Regarding the Maker's BT 01, it is good. It should be, considering the wait they made us endure. Last year, the FAE releases came out in spring and fall. This year, both were released in the fall, leading me to wonder if I had perhaps missed the first. The simplest way to describe this is: Maker's Mark mimicking Eagle Rare at a higher proof. The aroma and taste are reminiscent of Eagle Rare, but superior due to the increased proof. The aroma features dark berries like blackberries and blueberries, with a hint of dark chocolate, a touch of saddle leather and tobacco, and possibly some black coffee. It's a lovely aroma overall, but despite hearing it described as lighter than BRT 02, it doesn't strike me as a light whiskey at all. The berry flavors continue strongly on the palate. The chocolate and coffee blend to create a cocoa-infused coffee sensation, and the finish is pleasantly long and spicy, with the coffee taste being the most prominent lingering note. For some reason, I delay opening these. Because I love Maker's, they feel like whiskeys for special occasions. Since my brother-in-law and father, who are my primary drinking partners, prefer styles other than bourbon, I typically reserve special bourbons for moments when they are not present. This is significantly better than the Jack Bonded, the last bourbon I reviewed and finished, which I finished last night to make space on the shelf for this. I eagerly anticipate Maker's special releases, and it capped off a wonderful evening with my wife's sister and her husband, their daughter, my mother, my father, and my sister, as we gathered to eat baked ziti, have dessert, and watch the Eagles lose a close game (they did beat our backup team by 6 points; I suspect our main team could handle the Cowboys if our starter were playing, but I commend the Cowboys for a well-fought game). Tomorrow, my children will wake me at 6 a.m., and we will sit around watching television and listening to carols. Perhaps I will open the Paul John then and provide a Christmas Day review. The Paul John 2020 Christmas dram is also delightful, but not as full-bodied or robust as this. However, it compensates for its lack of heartiness or robustness with its citrus notes and hints of peat. But I am getting ahead of myself; that is a different review. If you found this too lengthy and skipped to the conclusion: Maker's BRT 01 is Maker's interpretation of Eagle Rare at a higher proof with more intense flavors. That is the essence of it. If it is still available, I intend to acquire another bottle. Ah, damn, it's out of stock. I suppose I will just have to savor this bottle while it lasts.

These yearly offerings from Maker's are exceptionally well-executed. While the 2020 release was my preference, the initial 2021 bottling was also outstanding. I will be reviewing both 2022 releases in quick succession, beginning with 01. Nose: Toffee, brown sugar, caramel, malt, nougat, and mocha. Very ripe banana and orange citrus. Toasted almond and cashew notes are present. There's even a quality like orange meringue. Red hot tamales spice. Cinnamon, white pepper, clove, nutmeg, and oak are detected. Palate: Vanilla, brown sugar, toffee, caramel. The signature Maker's cherry note is prominent, alongside more of that orange citrus. Banana reappears, slightly less overripe than on the nose, complemented by caramelized apple. Cola flavor. Plum skin notes. Almond and walnut. Peanut brittle. Graham cracker and marshmallow. Red hot tamales spice. Crispy bacon. Cinnamon, white pepper, clove, nutmeg, and oak are present. Finish: Toffee, vanilla, brown sugar, and caramel. Orange meringue and ripe banana. Mocha. Raisin. Dried apricot. Crispy bacon. Red hot tamale spice. Cinnamon, ginger, white pepper, clove, nutmeg, and oak. It's as long as they come. Another unqualified success. This is simply a superb bourbon, no question about it. It's the reason I consistently turn to Maker's annual selections. The quality and value are unbeatable. This surpasses last year's initial release and matches the 2020 bottling. In terms of value, this earns a slight increase for its cost-effectiveness. It was priced at $70, the lowest I've encountered for any annual release spirit, period. And if Maker's provides a fair deal, I will reciprocate by informing others. It shouldn't be, but it's a luxury to find something enjoyable, as advertised, and reasonably accessible. This fits all criteria. Rated 4.75. I anticipate the other release from this year with eagerness.

The tasting involved a neck pour neat in a glencairn, with no water added. I don't always like to review a neck pour, but this one is remarkable. I fully anticipate it will open up further. Nose - is excellent, with heavy caramel and maple, a little butterscotch, apple, raisin, perhaps some cotton candy, and oak. I could smell it while pouring. There is absolutely no ethanol aroma. I get a breakfast vibe with maple bacon, syrup, and pancakes or waffles. A great nose! Palate - I'm quite impressed with the palate as well. The palate provides an interesting journey, moving from sweet to spicy and back to sweet. There's definitely caramel and maple at the start. I often detect apple in Maker's Mark products, and I do here too, but it's not as prominent as in other pours. I detect a bit of sweet bread and a dark fruit; I keep returning to raisin. The mid-palate features cinnamon red hot, with oak and some barrel char, then the maple starts to return as it finishes. Finish - For me, this lingered quite a while. It's not an extremely complex finish, but I do get oak, a little leather, hints of maple and apple, and then it dries out slightly but not unpleasantly. I immensely enjoyed the first pour. That 54.7% ABV is perhaps dangerously drinkable, with little to no burn and nice viscosity. Some might find the palate doesn't pack the punch the nose suggests, but I could see that changing as this opens up. The palate is by no means bad, but the nose is outstanding. Without a doubt, this is a buy-it-if-you-see-it item. I'm not a fan of secondary market prices, and who is? I would consider this one worth up to $100. Cheers!

Following my tasting of BRT-02, this BRT-01 presents a much brighter aroma. The molasses notes are absent. This one smells... lively, somehow. Baking spices mingle with cherries (not overly ripe) and a hint of the butterscotch found in BRT-02 graces your nose. The taste leads you down a delightful path that is sweet, tart, and complex. Initially, you experience a toasted spice, akin to slightly charred cinnamon sticks. This evolves into wonderfully bright and slightly tart cherries. Connecting the taste and the finish is that familiar spice, but this time accompanied by a subtle hint of brown sugar. The finish harmonizes everything. I still detect the tartness from the mid-palate, along with a slight tingle on the tongue from the spice. It is long-lasting and satisfying. In my honest opinion, Maker's Mark Wood Finishing series continues to offer some of the best bourbons at a sensible price point. Well, at least at retail. Currently, BRT-01 and BRT-02 are finally appearing on shelves in California, and have been widely available elsewhere for weeks. They are well worth the cost. Comparing the two? BRT-01 is brighter, more spirited, and more engaging than BRT-02, which focuses on darker, sweeter notes. It's difficult to choose between them, but I favor BRT-01 as the superior of the two.

Nose begins with Concord grape, black cherry, caramel, vanilla, butterscotch, blackberry, leather, tobacco, varnish, sweet corn, coconut, and aged oak furniture. A faint hint of ethanol initially, but it quickly vanishes, leaving only pleasantness behind; one moment it's fruity, the next it's more candy-like. A complex and appealing aroma, certainly. Hmmm. The palate delivers only a fraction of the splendor suggested by the aroma. Grape and blackberry lead off, followed by toffee, toasted marshmallow, coconut, barrel char, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The flavors are very intense. The finish arrives like a freight train, completely erasing the palate and bringing hot ethanol, bitter oak, spicy pink peppercorn, and turpentine. It's long, but you almost wish it were shorter, as the ethanol burn is the most enduring characteristic. The mouthfeel is light-bodied and somewhat grainy; it could benefit from more substance and smoothness. This started off wonderfully (nose), transitioned to decent (palate), and ended below par (finish). It's a low point in the Wood Finished series for me so far, as most have been good to excellent. This one is merely fair and has too many drawbacks. I wanted to enjoy it more than I did. Not a purchase to make again at the retail price of $70.

Opened 9 days ago. Nose - Butterscotch and caramel with Christmas spices, Honey Smacks, malted chocolate, golden raisins, and moderate ethanol. Palate - Vanilla-infused honey, candied cinnamon apples, peach and cherry pie, figs, sweet hay, and cocoa nibs. The finish is medium-long with chocolate oak tannins, clove, cinnamon, toast, white peppercorn, apple cider, and moderate ethanol. This is the most satisfying whiskey I have had in 2022. Everything about it is excellent, and it is ideal for this time of year. I initially considered rating it 4.25 to avoid accusations of grade inflation, but I don't care. It's fantastic, and I appreciate the wood stave finishes from Maker's. They excel at this. Additionally, their prices have remained stable over the past year, unlike most bourbon distilleries. The enthusiasts can pursue Weller, Pappy, and Old Fitz to their hearts' content; I'll stick with Maker's.