Maker's Mark

A surprisingly complex and very drinkable bourbon, one I enjoy as a sipping whiskey and in Old Fashioneds. At just over £20 for a bottle, it's great quality for the money.

18th July 2020

I am a very knowledgeable person in both wine and spirits. In my opinion, lovely sweet caramel and brown sugar nose. My problem is that when I swallow it, it is quite raw, harsh, lean and hot. It doesn't go down smoothly for me. The finish is just alcohol burn

24th June 2020

For the price, the flavors were a lot if fun

19th June 2020

Absolutely vile. I'd only ever use it as a mixer. Managed to grind through a third of a bottle before pouring the rest down the sink.

19th June 2020

Love it

28th May 2020

Worth tasting.

24th May 2020

This is a bombroof all rounder. Makes fantastic whiskey sours and old fashioneds and you can also just join it on its own. Pretty much an essential for the cupboard.

10th May 2020

Smoothly progressing to creamy finish.

25th April 2020

very good bourbon, best one ive had in a while! would highly recommend this to anyone, although nothing has beat the barton 1792 yet!

14th April 2020

A little sweet and strong tasting bourbon, very good, I like it!

This is a keeper for me!

29th March 2020

Smell and taste are both quite harsh. To my nose it has a strong smell of farin sugar with some citrus. The taste is strong in burnt sugar, with more emphesis on the bitterness, spice but not in the pleasant way that for example rye whisky is. It mixes well with coke and then the emphasis comes more into the citrus side of things.

6th March 2020

not my cup of tea I guess if you mix it

7th February 2020

Fine Whisky, or Whiskey. On the nose, honey, apples and brownies.
On the palate, smooth and not too sweet. Warming with feelings of contentment. I thoroughly enjoy Speysides, but this gives them all a run for their money at a much better price. Try it over a small ice cube in a Glencarn Whisky Glass. Delicious.

18th October 2019

After seeing so many good reviews of Maker's Mark I decided to give it a try. The bottle is eye catching and it's very popular. Now I admit that I am no whiskey expert, but I expected more from a whiskey at this price point.

The initial smell in the bottle is sweet and pleasant. In the glass a strong alcohol aroma overpowers the sweetness. The first sip I couldn't taste any sweetness just a strong burn with some spice. The flavor got a little better after I let it breathe for 10-15 minutes and it wasn't so harsh. Maybe I need more experience with whiskey tasting, but to me it reminded me of a bottom shelf blended whiskey.

18th September 2019

The actual flavor wasnt bad, really REALLY sweet for my taste, but thats just me not liking over sweetness. It was my first weater, and thought Id have a go.

Hell no, the flavor is EXTREMELY strong, and it is like drinking a bottle of double strength listerine. Very harsh. The smell was super strong. I left a partially empty glass in my room as I started to exercuse, and had to remove it because the smell overtook my senses, I swear. Oily when cold.

I tried it as a 2:1 high ball. So bad. Water doesnt help. I didnt want to toss it, I killed about 75% of the bottle but eventually gave it away.

13th September 2019

I have never been a fan of american whisky and until recently I realized that the rye was the reason I gravitated toward scotch and irish whisky. At some time this year I started to study whisky history and discovered american mash bills. I personally think rye doesn't blend well with the flavors of whisky because it always stands out too much so for me the Makers mark touches the flavors of whisky that I enjoy.

18th August 2019

For everybody who compared Makers Mark with scotch........ don,t do that ! Scotch is a total different drink! Makers is top shelf for what it is .... a bourbon. Many schotch have E 150 (carmel colloring) in it,even same expensive ones. Makers mark, s dark collor is al from the new charred oak barrels. Nothing added but water. Makers is GOOD!

8th August 2019

One of my favourite cheap bottles. The other ones are Devil's Cut and Wild Turkey 101. Of these, I always have a spare bottle in my cabinet.

Buffelo Trace missed the cut but I'm willing to try another bottle.

25th May 2019

When I was younger and got around to finally buying my first real bottle of bourbon I made the mistake of buying Makers Mark. I didn't realize not all bourbons tasted this bad especially at this price. Just harsh and chemically with nothing distinctively pleasant about the stuff. I got another bottle just to be far and see if anything changed. No, sorry, in this price range you can do so much better.

12th May 2019

I’ve tried quite a few bourbons now and can’t beat this for taste and value for money. I’ve found I like sweeter, oak forward bourbons and with this I can taste the oak dance over my tongue. I’ve tried Better but they are 3 times the price of this.

All things considered, this can’t be beaten.

27th April 2019

This is my favorite bourbon for the price. Being hand-made in America with a unique presentation and interesting history, Maker's Mark sets itself apart from the competition. Give it a try!

As an aside, try drinking this chilled and you will see just how much more sweet it gets.

22nd October 2018

I prefer the original Marker’s Mark Whisky, which IMO is smoother with a more enjoyable finish. MMk“classic” we call it. Makes a great Manhattan. Just a great Kentucky bourbon, even if they spell “Whisky” like the Scots do. Okay, one shout out to William Wallace “Freedom!” Bugs the $&@/ out of my English friends. MMk neat or on the rocks is simply the right whisky to share with your buddy’s after a day of upland bird hunting or catching a few fish for dinner at camp.

4th August 2018

Why all the fuss? I don't dislike it but it is very overrated. There is a lot better available for less $$$.
The alcohol taste is pungent and has a negative effect on the taste

10th May 2018

Ахуительный

8th April 2018

Lovely smooth taste with out the hard kick

16th February 2018

Sooo good taste

12th February 2018

It is a good, solid performer with distinctive chocolate nose and short to medium finish. I recommend this bourbon to anyone as a perfect starter.

22nd January 2018

Good sipping whiskey. As for the nay sayers, if it takes you 2 paragraphs to describe it and bad mouth it you are to much of a snob to be taken seriously.

14th January 2018

Bad, this whisky is worse than Passport Scotch.

31st December 2017

Very sweet vanilla taste but with a middle kick. Very interesting to drink. The ending is outstanding.

15th December 2017

I've come to the conclusion that this is the best drink ever. I've sipped maybe five to ten bottles of this and after something else, I still return to the sweet vanilla taste with just the right bite of alcohol.
Don't give a bottle to a cognac drinker... you have to give him another one.

7th November 2017

The smell is bad. The taste is bad and very bitter. Not even mixing it help, it just got worse.

23rd August 2017

On the nose, less sweeter than four roses, much corn and barley. Some cranberries in the background, white pepper gives a kick.

On the palate, harsh with alcohol, some floral notes that end quickly and turn sour due to the mash. Some soft, but flory wheat bread alon the way as a distinct note, like a voice that is too silent tobe heard. After this itstarts to bite again, turns sweet with corn and cranberries, finish is not very memorable, leaves an oaky aftertaste. Leaves a taste of ale in my mouth, because of the mash, which has barley in it.

Personally, it's not the best bourbon I've tried, bit disappointing. But it has some good parts, it's strong, very easy to sip and personally, if I'd have to choose between a pint of beer and this, I'd take the latter. Not the best, not the worst, honestly, quite mediocre. 84/100

29th May 2017

An overrated, disappointing, and insipid whisky. To be fair, I'm more of a Scotch amateur but still can appreciate a good Bourbon from time to time. But good Bourbon, this is not. I find it bland and insipid.

20th January 2017

First let me preface this by saying that I'm a Single Malt Scotch Whisky drinker and I currently have over 50 bottles of SMSW plus a few other bottles of various spirits in my collection. To be fair I'm not much versed in Bourbon but Maker's Mark is my least favourite of all my spirits.

It does have some nice, rich flavours but I'm not going to bother with details about them as they are ruined by the inherent harshness of the spirit. Adding water doesn't help much at all. I'm not sure but I think it likely that either they've rushed the distillation or they've tried to take a bigger cut of the heart and got a few feints or other harsh distilling byproducts with it. Or both. Drinking this reminded me of feeling sick after drinking spirits to quickly as a teenager.

I think Maker's Mark have a lot of potential but for now I might just give the rest my bottle to someone who mixes their drinks.

Not a sipping whiskey in my opinion.

30th December 2016

Came back around to this after making my way round my whisky cabinet. I must say, its much better than I remember it being!

Makers Mark, I won't forsake you in the future.

13th July 2016

I Like it from its bottle to its smooth & a bit sweet taste...with good amount of kick for a bourbon. Worthy choice for its range.

7th May 2016

Probably the cheapest and most widely available "wheater" worth drinking, MM has a nice oaky/ vanilla taste with the notable absence of the spicy rye qualities found in most other bourbons. Sure, there are better wheaters e.g. Weller or Larceny, but this is probably good enough to see if you like the style.

Comparing this to bourbons with heavier rye (e.g. Bulleit) is a little unfair, because that's really a different animal. It's meant to be different and it's good that it's different. Without variety, life would be boring. (Also, don't get me started on the people who judge this like a Scotch and hate on it as a result. It takes a special type of close mindedness to do that.)

24th April 2016

Guess I like smooth water :)

21st March 2016

The fact these guys even had a chance of overturning their "handmade" court case claims is a pretty hideous indictment of the US legal system. I won't buy it on principle - utterly ridiculous

14th March 2016

Makers is quality. You know what you are getting everytime. Its not the best of the best but i can find way worse. I use makers in my old fashioned and it is absolutely delicious. If im sipping ill go with balcones or jw green but this is definitely one to have in your collection

15th February 2016

I'm a malt whisky lover by nature, but every once in a while I'll give a grain whisky a try.

Color: Beautiful Amber color
Body: Very light
Nose: Orange peels with a hint of nail polish
Palate: Tastes a lot like how feed corn smells, with a little chocolate thrown in
Finish: Feed corn, with a bubblegum-like sweetness. Stays on your tongue for a bit.

I would recommend giving it a go for Scotch lovers who like to taste something different every once in awhile.

15th February 2016

It's been a long time since I reviewed a whiskey, and I won't add to the flavor notes -- they exist in abundance. I'll just stick to why a bottle of Maker's is now a part of my collection — a collection that used to span many single malts and a few bourbons and Ryes.

Simply stated I like Maker's on hand because it has some kick, some fire and among U.S. bourbons in the price range, it has some of the characteristics of a single malt as well as characteristics of Bourbons. It does not seem as sweet or mild as some of the more common bourbons, and while, if I had to pick one or the other, I would opt for Buffalo Trace as a more rounded Bourbon taste at a good value, Maker's seems stiffer and more fiery. So, there's room for both. As a younger man, I was not so fond of Maker's but, let's put it this way: there are some common bourbons, which while fine for a recreational sweet tipple, I would not hesitate to use liberally in a barbecue marinade. Maker's, on the other hand, I would reserve for actual drinking.

2nd January 2016

I'm not sure what these "guys" are talking about. I drink my 30$+ Bourbon on ice, or naked...and. Makers is better than any Canadian I've ever bedded...and beloved me sirs, I've had em all...whiskey wise..so drink up, ice cubes and brown..drink it down.the chicks like it too, stop mixing it, sip...

29th December 2015

Similar to Grey Goose and Patron in the sense that it's an overpriced, very well marketed and thoroughly insipid drink. There are very good bourbons near enough to or at this price point (Woodford, Bulleit, Knob Creek, even Buffalo Trace) that actually taste like bourbon.

25th December 2015

I tend to mix my bourbon, and it mixes well great flavours through a Manhattan or an old fashioned. But not to bad neat...if you don't have anything Scottish to hand! X

23rd December 2015

Title says it all...
Must have for all mint julep or old fashioned fans, it is not bad when drinking neat as well (from Glencairn glass, of course...)
rj

25th September 2015

This is a personal favorite among the bourbons I enjoy. Smooth and slightly sweet, but with enough kick to let you know it's bourbon and not brandy.

24th September 2015

This is one of my favorites, smooth and complex. I like to drink whiskey on the rocks, and this one holds up well. I really don't like tearing through the fake wax on the bottle to get to the booze. How about a plain cork, folks?

31st August 2015

Every now and then I try a american whisky. Never been pleaseantly surprised. Maybe there is a american whisky out there that can compare at least to the standard scotches. But if im gonna go international I still have indian, japanese and even taiwanese to pick from. I would actually put ice in a american whisky, but just to quench the poor quality...

16th August 2015

I am a Scotch drinker. I bought a bottle of this to put in my beans on the grill. Well while grilling I poured it on ice and imbibed. Well this is nice. I like it. Marker's Mark you have a place in my cabinet.

13th June 2015

The best of them all. Quality, bombastic, yet soft.

3rd June 2015

Since I have tried it,I have been hooked on it,in my opinion,the best there is,that's it.

27th May 2015

Almost all bourbons are distilled at a much higher proof than they end up being bottled at. When barrels of a batch have finished ageing they go through a watering down process to bring the alcohol content down, otherwise every whiskey we see in the shops would be upwards of 60%. Makers Mark distil their bourbon lower than most other distillers but that percentage will still be higher than the 45% it ends up being bottled at.

Anyway I think Makers Mark is a brilliant bourbon for it's price range. If you want even more bang for your buck though, go Benchmark Old No.8 every time.

15th May 2015

Not from Louisville like the Champ, but close enough. Like the Champ, it's the Greatest of All Time. Unsurpassingly smooth, just sweet enough, with all the flavor at the front of the tongue where it belongs. Completely lacking in that musty-wood-and-dead-spiders character most every other bourbon suffers from; on the other hand, clearly a labor of love and not a product of the chemist's lab like many of its imitators (looking at you, Woodford Reserve). If you have never enjoyed whisky, this is a whisky you can entrust with your tastebuds. If you are a connoisseur, admit it -- this is the bourbon that made bourbon what it is today.

2nd March 2015

Sleek, luxurious and seamless with plenty of muscle. Does EXACTLY what you want it to when you want, oozes quality and commitment. If there is a downside, it is precisely that: all boxes checked, certainly, but indefinables like 'character'...? Thank you, please drive through!

25th February 2015

Only slightly worse nose and slightly better flavour. As a sipping bourbon, even on the rocks, this is degrees worse than Buffalo Trace and £8 more expensive. You'd have to like it to be frank.

23rd February 2015

This is very good. Makers Mark is one of first bourbons i, ve had. Till now on it still very good bourbon! Oké , it is not the best bourbon butt it definatly beats regular Jim Beam or Jack. For those who give it 1 or 2 stars , jou maybe have a wrong bottle. I drink Makers as i wright this and it is a full flavoured weatted bourbon and a good 90 proof. Cheers mate.

10th February 2015

Lowest proof? It's 90 proof...

22nd January 2015

Makers Mark is one of the most popular bourbons and can be found in almost any bar. The nose has hints of Vanilla and burnt oak. The taste is nothing special it has a strong oak flavor with hints of vanilla and spice. It is on the same tier with Jim Beam White label, but a bit stronger and more flavorful. Makers Mark is a good bourbon for beginners to start with.

19th January 2015

Anyone giving Maker's less tha 3 stars probably should stay away from offering an opinion. This is absolutely one of the very best.

3rd January 2015

Frankly, I like Jack Daniel's better!

1st January 2015

Every year I buy this for my husband, and it's getting harder to find, but thankfully we can still enjoy what has now become out favourite Christmas dram for the best price any where

14th December 2014

Until today I thought Bullet had my wallet by the nut sack, but no, two sips, and Diageo's unique blend of Japanese manufacturing and British marketing no longer seems so tempting. For sure, Maker's Mark suffers from an I'll designed top that will leave you with either a kitchen full of wax or a severed thumb, but wow what a perfect kick to a smooth pour. And Old Fashioned never tasted so good.

1st December 2014

Hands down the smoothest bourbon on the trail.

27th October 2014

Понравился - особенность - специфический вкус бурбона менее выражен, чем в его собратьев и больше приближён к шотландскому виски.

20th October 2014

I've bought about 12 bottles of whiskey/scotch/bourbon today and tried them all. While Marker's Mark was one of the most expansive, it was probably the one I disliked the most. I also bought about the same amount of cognac/brandy and I prefer brandy.

3rd October 2014

this a true bourbon. sit in a big leather chair and light a cigar.

8th September 2014

I'm a scotch drinker who enjoys the occasional sweet bourbon, so I gave maker's mark a go. I really didn't enjoy it. Maybe it's just my palate but I expect more from bourbons. At this price, go for an Evan Williams or a Bulleit. That's just my opinion though.

25th July 2014

Traditionally in the UK I was JD drinker. Went to New York for a long weekend, the hotel didn't have JD so opted for MM and it set me on the road to my love for bourbon.There are some others I prefer, but this was my first love and always go back to if for an easy choice.

24th July 2014

I default to MM after the end of a long day of beer-based, er, socialising with my mates in London. At that stage of a session I find MM is refreshing. It cools me down. It's also an easy drink at the end of any day, with a couple of ice cubes. (Sorry, purists!) I have tried Rowan's Creek and Willett Pot Still, but come back to this one.

6th July 2014

Great wheated bourbon. A main stay in any bourbon drinkers bar in the states. Great for mixing or drinking straight. Awesome nose and viscosity for the price. Severely underpriced for the quality.

4th July 2014

I have a collection of around 15 whiskies/bourbons/scotches at this point. Makers is the worst of the worst for me. I'd heartily recommend Jack or Jim Beam over this stuff. If you're willing to spend a bit more... Booker's bourbon or High West Rendezvous Rye are fantastic choices

3rd July 2014

I visited Kentucky 30 years ago, before I developed a taste for spirits, and Maker's was the clear choice of my peers who were born and raised in Bourbon County. I've since tried many bourbons, frequently side by side. Maker's is easily the best choice for people that appreciate the flavor of bourbon. It's the only brand of bourbon that I'll buy.

21st May 2014

I have been trying to stray away from "JW Double Black Label". I thought, I have drunken so many bottles in a row, I should try to find a replacement of the bourbon kind, US made. After a few swigs, I was able to some what enjoy it. The only fault with me is that strong smell of chemicals hovering at the top of the glass. Luckily, I bought a small bottle and will try to finish it. I'm going back to Double Black Label for another bottle, then I'll stray again.

I say pass if you like Scotch. In a pinch I went to a small liquor store that had M.M., Jim Beam, and Wild Turkey. This is definitely better than those 2, but like I said, I'll keep moving.

12th May 2014

I've tried a few bourbons here and there, but Maker's Mark is not to be trifled with, it's a well-rounded full flavored bourbon with oaky notes, not your average bourbon, nice head...nuff said

4th May 2014

Don't be put off the low overall score. There are some stupid reviews that seem to be reversed. Makers is a good overall bourbon that you can enjoy everyday whether it is neat, or in a cocktail. Being US born, it's really disappointing how expensive Makers is in the UK, but that's the price you pay I suppose. This is a good bourbon, whether you are starting out or experienced.

14th April 2014

Sweet and simple. Love my glass of Makers Mark every night.

27th March 2014

The finest bourbon there is

11th February 2014

This is the bourbon that got me into drinking bourbon, I don't drink it as much any more because I drink more rye's and scotch but still very much enjoy it. If you ever have a chance to go to the distillery I recommend it, it is a beautiful place and they do a fantastic tour. Smooth and easy to drink, lovely sweetness.

12th December 2013

An ok bourbon for folks who want a softer touch. Personally I'm not a big fan of the wheated bourbons and find myself going away from bourbon entirely now that we are seeing some excellent ryes produced again in the US. But when I drink bourbon I want rye in it damnit!! Also, for the price you can do much better.

25th October 2013

I love this bourbon the full sweet en complex tastes that linger on your palate for quite some time.
A lush drink!

In reaction to the first poster: All drinks are overpriced on this site. I paid 18,99 euro for this bottle in my local supermarket (Germany) so that's around 16 pound.

13th October 2013

The least best of the bourbons I have tried after reading the reviews on here.

28th September 2013

Maker's mark with soda water is a very nice drop. Having the privilege of travelling to the distillery recently (from Australia)and bringing back some '46'to enjoy was very special.

9th August 2013

What can I say? If your taste buds are 50% the average count they could not taste the difference between Whisky and alcohol. First is an elaborate chemistry of flavours diluted in fire. Second is fire diluted in cardboard, indeed.

25th May 2013

Not a massive fan of this tastes more like a scotch whisky.
Missing that rye spice from most american bourbons/whiskys.
I'll stick to my usual mid range bourbons bulliet and woodford reserve.
That said it's still very good and I'll have no trouble polishing off the bottle.

15th April 2013

MERAVIGLIOSO ...

26th March 2013

It seems popular to "hate on" Maker's Mark these days. I find it a great bourbon, consistently good. The price here, at $24 is about $6 less than Woodford Reserve. (which I like as well)Some of us like wheated bourbons. Of course some have every right to feel that Jim Beam white is on par....

13th March 2013

They changed their mind about lowering the proof due to the general outraged which ensued

3rd March 2013

Lowered their ABV did they....

I guess we will see how the bottom line plays out. Anyone know if the company is traded?

19th February 2013

Maker's Mark is surely a different branch in the tree of Bourbons. Coms Oóbviously with mixed opinions, but i'm quite happy with the sweet and rich nature of it.

16th February 2013

A week before, I had tried a small distillery's all wheat whiskey. That flavor--which I found I don't care for--is clearly present in Maker's Mark. I'm not a big fan of bourbon, but when I next try one, I'll stick with the rye variants (or just go with a straight rye). Karl

19th September 2012

Maker'smark is whiskey, and label says whisky, because scotch are most sold whisky-type in the world. Makers of maker's mark wanted to make bourbon that is un-bourbon like and more like scotch. Lesser barrel char and no rye. There's winter wheat no rye. So scotch drinker's may like this more than traditional bourbons. And bourbon drinker's usually don't like maker's maybe?
In USA and Ireland whiskey, Scotch and canada whisky. Simple as that.
Maker's is not my favorite.

8th September 2012

Tastes like cardboard. Has no real flavor worth noting. Bland and annoying.

13th August 2012

i do appreciate a good whiskey and makers mark really does deliver the best of that to my pallet.
Norwich uk

13th June 2012

As far as bourbons go this one started the small batch revolution and without it we wouldn't have many of the others (in cluding Woodford Reserve) that being said this distillery does need a few more expressions than this one, (yes I know about 46 and black label but they are far to rare) Not bad for the price but Old Fritz 12 VS is more complex but more dear but worth the difference. Still a good entry level and much smoother than JB White or even Black.

15th September 2010

I am not exactly sure how to respond to the "Beam" white comparison to Maker's. It is not even close. Maker's is one of the finest bourbons,if not the best bouron in the USA. Woodford Reserve is good but not better. On this same site under "Insider Knowledge" more miss information can be viewed,WHISKY or WHISKEY? Quote; "Maker's Mark whiskey is named whiskey by virtue of the fact it's from America". If you looked at the label on the Maker's Mark bottle that is featured above this statement,the word at issue is spelled WHISKY. It just goes to show you how wrong a person can be. Someone should be embarrassed.
Don Attermeyer
attermeyer@bellsouth.net

29th March 2010

Not bad as Bourbons go, yet still, I found it quite throaty, even on ice, and in truth not a great deal better than Beam white, or for that matter a Sainsbury's own brand I had once was actually close. If I were you, buy a bottle of Woodford Reserve and pocket the difference

26th December 2009