Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series 2022 BRT-02

MAKER’S MARK WOOD-FINISHING SERIES SHOWDOWN Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Maker’s 46 French Oaked Cask Strength Maker’s Mark BRT-02 Limited Release Maker’s Mark The Heart Release 2024 Maker’s Mark The Keeper’s Release 2025 Maker’s Mark Private Selection Unique Stave Selection 086/246 (TL;DR: The BRT-02 wins by a lot). This review started as an examination of three Maker’s Mark Finishing Series bourbons: The Heart Release 2024, The Keeper’s Release 2025, and a Private Selection Unique Stave Selection. Then it seemed a baseline was needed, so a bottle of Maker’s 46 French Oaked Cask Strength was brought out (context is everything). That prompted the need to baseline the MM46, so a Maker’s Mark Cask Strength was grabbed. Finally, realizing an unopened BRT-02 was in stock, it was decided to include it. So, starting with the baselines: first the standard MM Cask Strength, then the MM46 Cask Strength, followed by the others in chronological order. These bourbons were sampled over several days. I like Maker’s Mark and their Wood-Finishing Series, which began with Maker’s 46 years ago. All whiskies—bourbon, Scotch, Irish, Japanese—have seen experiments with special releases of varying success, often focusing on barrels that previously held wine or spirits. So when Maker’s expanded the 46 project, I was eager to try things out (all in the pursuit of knowledge). Maker’s Mark Cask Strength While I’ve consistently kept Maker’s at home and have been a big supporter of Maker’s 46 since its debut, I’ve never been a Maker’s Mark Cask Strength enthusiast (and I favor high-proof bourbon). This subtle dislike never made sense, as Barrel Proof and Cask Strength whiskies are generally seen as more authentic versions of their lower-proof counterparts. MM Cask Strength possessed a flavor I couldn’t quite pinpoint—a musty note was present. And with this tasting, I believe I’ve identified it, right in front of me. It’s the wood—but it tastes aged. Bourbon, by its legal definition, must be aged in charred new American oak, so it shouldn't be old by law. But this wood doesn’t provide the rich vanilla and other tastes that new oak typically offers—which is the core idea behind Maker’s Wood Finishing series. Compared to the other five bourbons here, the Cask Strength seems dull; the wood isn’t contributing much. Maker’s Mark Cask Strength can be purchased for about $45. Would I buy it again? Yes, to keep on hand, mainly for cocktails due to the high ABV. Batch No. 21-02. 55.2% ABV. Maker’s Mark 46 French Oaked Cask Strength Considerably richer and more profound than the regular Cask Strength. Also richer and more potent than the Heart, Keeper’s, and Private Selection; in contrast, these appear somewhat more delicate. The MM46 is slightly more uniform than the others, but its depth and richness prevail. Consistent with previous notes (10/12/23). Hot chocolate, cocoa, dried apricot, cola, vanilla, and indeed, a hint of dill. Abundant oak. Cinnamon apples and clove on the palate. Medium-length finish with significant oak characteristics. Maker’s Mark 46 French Oaked Cask Strength is available for approximately $60. Would I buy it again? Yes. Batch 24-01. 55.3% ABV. Maker’s Mark BRT-02 Limited Release (2022) Refined and robust. Sweet and fruity: cocoa, espresso, dates, caramel apple, smoked BBQ, oak, vanilla. The most mellow of the group—by a significant margin—despite a proof range of only 2.8 percentage points among these six bourbons. Extremely long finish with chocolate fudge and maple candy. BRT-02 can still be found for around $140 online (I had no idea). This is an exceptional bourbon. Would I buy it again? It’s pricey, but it offers good value. Yes. Stave Profile: 10 virgin toasted French Oak staves. 54.7% ABV. Maker’s Mark The Heart Release 2004 It’s surprising this bourbon hasn't been reviewed before, as this was the final pour from the bottle. The label states “Caramel, Chocolate, Maple.” In reality, this approach—used by many distillers—is more accurately described as “leading the witness.” Caramel is a common bourbon descriptor; chocolate in various forms is also frequent. Maple, less so. Maple isn't really detected here. Chocolate-covered cherries? Yes, and perhaps some cocoa. Pipe tobacco? New saddle leather? Yes and yes. And spearmint. The palate lacks significant viscosity. Cinnamon red hots and clove on the finish, with wood tannins and a cooling licorice note. The alcohol is noticeable and slightly unbalanced; higher-proofed whiskies have been better integrated. The Heart Release debuted at a retail price of $75 and can still be found online for slightly more. While it's true that many whiskies possess more prestige and perhaps better marketing, the market's Invisible Hand indicates something. I own whiskies that have increased tenfold in value since purchase. I've never bought a whiskey as an investment—I consume them—but scarcity significantly influences price, and apparently, there are still plenty of these available. Either A) Maker’s produced an excessive amount; B) enthusiasts were not particularly impressed (this price point targets connoisseurs; it’s not for mixing); or C) all of the above. I enjoyed this bourbon and have no regrets about purchasing it, but it's not particularly remarkable, unlike the earlier FAE and BEP releases. It’s fruitier (and possibly more complex) than the Maker’s 46 Cask Strength when compared directly. Would I buy it again? Perhaps, just to have it for comparison with others. Stave Profile: 10 virgin toasted French oak staves. Volume 1 of 5. Bottled June 2024. 56.0% ABV. Maker’s Mark The Keeper’s Release 2005 The bottle indicates: “Bold, Oak, Toasted Sweetness.” The bourbon drinker wonders: “So what?” An F for originality. But it’s not quite “nothing to see here;” it still needs to be tasted. For science, after all. A prominent cherry cordial note is detected on the nose, along with sawdust (not necessarily negative), cocoa, mocha (coffee’s offspring, but not coffee itself), apple? spearmint, and (unexpectedly!) oak. The palate is neither particularly oily nor viscous. A significant amount of oaky tannins mixed with alcohol. A cooling spearmint and licorice note persists throughout, with bittersweet chocolate, vanilla, and espresso on the finish, and a peach note appearing very, very late. Is it “Bold?” I certainly hope so. This isn’t 80-proof Beam on the rocks. This is bourbon exceeding bottled-in-bond standards. Also neat. Is it “Oak?” Yes, bourbon must, by definition, be aged in new, charred oak barrels. The same applies to “Toasted Sweetness.” The oak is toasted (charred), and the oak is the source of the various “sweet” descriptors. Disregard prior statements: the market has decided. The Keeper’s Release can still be found for approximately its release price of $75. Would I buy it again? Possibly, for the same reason as the 2024 Heart Release—to continue exploring the different Maker’s expressions. I favor this slightly over the Heart Release, but it's not significantly different. Stave Profile: 10 virgin toasted American oak staves. Release 2 of 5. Bottled February 2025. 54.6% ABV. Maker’s Mark Unique Stave Selection 086/246 The most wood-forward (not exactly woody) of the three. Marzipan, cocoa, peaches—sweeter than the others. More body than the Heart or Keeper’s. Vanilla, chocolate fudge, and licorice on the finish. All of these Unique Stave Selections are distinct. However, variants, including this one, can be found for about $85. Would I buy it again? I would revisit the store where this particular expression was purchased for another bottle. Stave Profile: Baked American Pure (0); seared French cuvée (3); Maker’s Mark 46 (1); roasted French mendiant (5); toasted French spice (1). No. 086/246. 55.35% ABV. These bourbons were sampled over several days, in small quantities. Each feels somewhat clumsy compared to the elegant and complex BRT-02. The 46 is the most assertive; the Unique Stave Selection the sweetest. 1. BRT-02 Limited Release 2. Private Selection Unique Stave Selection 086/246 3. Marker’s 46 French Oaked Cask Strength 4. The Heart Release 2024 5. The Keeper’s Release 2025 6. Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Six Glencairns of bourbon tasted side-by-side is always enlightening. It would be challenging to analyze these bourbons individually (and all six together presents its own set of difficulties). These recent special releases do not match the Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged series, which are notable. Nor do they possess the same quality as their FAE and BRT predecessors from the early 2020s. And while I am skeptical of private barrel selections from any retailer—does anyone truly believe a distiller would offer a retailer its best barrels instead of keeping them—in this specific instance, the private selection tasted here was, in many ways, superior to the other more prominent releases. And then there’s the Maker’s 46 French Oaked Cask Strength itself. This expression is priced only $10-15 less than the special releases. It represents the best value among the group.

It's commendable to observe a bourbon range expand as Jim Beam has with Knob Creek. The introductions of the 12 and 15 year olds were excellent (particularly the 12) and I'm eagerly anticipating this one. It was a bit pricey, but the age statement and the caliber of this one's predecessors give me faith in my acquisition. Smell: Gala apple/apple pie. Brown sugar, vanilla, toffee, and caramel. Peanut brittle and toasted almond. Fudge, cocoa, and milk chocolate. Black tea and tobacco. Maple. Rye, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, black pepper, and oak spice. Red ginger. A hint of sawdust and baking soda. Taste: More of that peanut brittle and toasted almond. Gala apple. Abundant brown sugar with some caramel, vanilla, and toffee. Dried apricot. Pumpkin spice. A peppermint/baking soda note. New couch leather. Carrot cake. Cocoa, black tea, pipe smoke. Clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, black and white pepper, rye spice, dill pickle, and oak. End: Brown sugar, caramel, fudge, vanilla, milk chocolate, and toffee. Pipe smoke, cocoa, and black tea. Rye spice, red ginger, clove, nutmeg, black pepper, and oak. A long finish. Very pleasant. This perfectly embodies the classic bourbon profile. Ample sweetness, a good measure of dried fruit, barrel char, and smoke to finish. And, of course, a substantial amount of spice notes. It's not over-oaked, which is a frequent concern with many bourbons past their tenth year. Instead, it possesses depth and sophistication, and beautifully captures the superior aspects of the Knob Creek line. This is truly remarkable. I'd say it rivals the 12 year old and surpasses the 15 year old in terms of value for money. Which is impressive considering it costs four times the former and nearly double the latter. This was priced at $200, the same as I paid for the Elijah Craig 18. It's at a much higher proof, and matches the EC18 in quality. It's astonishing, and I'm very pleased I managed to secure it. This was created to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of Knob Creek, and I'd say it did an outstanding job honoring the brand. 5/5. And that's my final assessment. Exceptional. It presents such an interesting profile. I generally favor rye-mash bourbons over wheat-mash ones. Because rye typically enhances the profile more often than not. That's not the case here. An unbelievably rich profile, and for $70, this is an absolute must-buy.

A new wood-finished release from Maker's Mark is always a cause for celebration, but two for 2022? That's practically a party. Unfortunately for me, obtaining rarer bottles like BRT 01 and BRT 02 is consistently a challenge. Simply put, the bourbon enthusiasts in my vicinity have a strong preference for buying whiskey, making elusive bottles even harder to find. Thankfully, some retailers offer shipping. The aroma is dark and sweet, with pitted cherries and figs mingling with molasses and a touch of butterscotch. On the palate, a slight hint of salted caramel gives way to slightly bitter, semi-sweet dark chocolate. The mouthfeel and warmth are quite pronounced, reflecting the alcohol content. Overripe yet slightly tart cherries connect the taste to the finish. The finish begins with baking spices, complemented by the tongue-tingling heat of the alcohol. This spiciness is long-lasting but eventually yields to a slightly sour and fruity conclusion, again reminiscent of dark pitted fruits. RC6 set a standard in 2019 that its Wood Finishing successors haven't quite matched yet (FAE01 came close). My rating attempts to be objective, evaluating this selection on its own merits without being influenced by the excellence of previous Wood Finishing bottlings. In that context, this one is solid and complex, if a bit dark and bitter. And now... I will patiently await the arrival of my BRT 01 bottle.

BRT-02, from 2022, sampled neat. It presents a rose-brown color in the glass, leaving strong streaks down the side. The nose carries notes of dried fruit and cereal grains, along with hints of vanilla and oak. On the palate, I detected oak, char, smoke, toasted cereal, vanilla, and caramelized sugar. There's a rich wave of spice and a touch of alcohol that intensifies. The finish is earthy, with a sweetness from dried fruit and a tannic quality. A tingling sensation of alcohol and mint spice lingers for a considerable time. This bourbon offers a genuinely rich and intricate blend of flavors that harmonize well. It elevates the Maker's Mark flavor profile by introducing more prominent oak notes and a darker hue. Adding ice isn't essential, but it does moderate the tannic oak and mint, allowing the sweetness to come forward. 1/25/23 Is anyone else experiencing issues with a slow keyboard and the app freezing or crashing? It seems to be a problem when the Predictive Text setting is enabled. I'm typing this message as a test to assist the app developers in resolving this issue, which is frequently mentioned in recent Google Play reviews. Disabling Predictive Text in the Keyboard settings appears to have fixed it, and that should provide them with the necessary information to address it on their end.

The aroma is a strong vanilla and caramel with hints of alcohol and wood. After a few minutes, the alcohol fades, and the vanilla, caramel (like Werthers hard candy), and wood become more pronounced. As it sits longer, apricots emerge at the forefront alongside a collection of dried fruits. The taste is an explosion of wood, cinnamon, caramel, and vanilla. It offers significantly more spice and wood than the aroma suggested. The finish is extended and becomes somewhat dry and bitter. I enjoy it, particularly at its suggested retail price, but it hasn't completely amazed me. It's certainly superior to the standard offering from Maker's Mark, but I'm glad I didn't have to put in too much effort to acquire a bottle. Edit 08/21/2023: I recently revisited this bottle and must raise my rating from 3.5 to 4.0. Upon returning, I was greeted by one of the most delightful burnt caramel aromas I've ever encountered. The flavors on the palate echo this enticing scent. While the previously mentioned notes are still present, there's now a very prominent burnt caramel that I've grown to love. If you, like me, were initially underwhelmed, allow your bottle to rest for a month and then try it again – you won't regret it.

The aroma presents creme brûlée, brown sugar, molasses, caramel, vanilla, blackberry, ripe plum, Concord grape, date, and cinnamon. The scent is rich, with virtually no ethanol. A promising beginning. The palate mirrors the nose almost exactly, so as not to repeat myself, please see the notes above. It has a bit of butterscotch that wasn't detected in the nose. The flavors are vivid and bold. The finish becomes sharply spicy with pink peppercorn and some slightly drying oak, but then transforms into caramel flan, wood varnish, cocoa powder, candy corn, and toffee. It lasts an incredibly long time. The mouthfeel is medium-bodied and there isn't much else to say about it; a thicker mouthfeel would have been very beneficial here. Overall, an enjoyable sweet, dark whiskey and much better than the BRT-01, but not as impressive as, for example, FAE-01. At its price, I consider its value fair and would therefore consider purchasing it again.