Maker's Mark is a world-famous bourbon whisky produced in Loretto, Kentucky. The brand is known for its red wax seal, which is said to be applied by hand to each bottle.
A brilliant whisky (note: Maker's Mark is one of just a few distilleries in the US to spell whisky sans the "e"!) it is made to a mashbill first developed by Bill Samuels Sr, which uses red winter wheat instead of rye. The result, therefore, can be described as a "wheated bourbon", and it's all the more smooth and creamy because of it!
Fruity and rich. There are lovely notes of spiced honey and mixed peels, a little malmsey, hazelnut and a touch of cut fruit with toasty oak providing a backbone.
Rich and full. There are notes of rye and spice, barley malt, a little nut oil with butterscotch and vanilla.
Quite sweet with butterscotch and dry oak spice.
not my cup of tea I guess if you mix it
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.
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.
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.
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.
