Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Review
In-Depth Review
In every bar around the world you can expect two things: a seedy looking “regular” sitting next to you uncomfortably asking about your hometown - and Maker’s Mark. Maker’s Mark is one of the most popular bourbons in the world, with their trademark red wax top and their squatty bottle. Most don’t realize that it features one of the original wheated mashbills (Weller anyone?), but its traditional soft, sweet, easy-going profile seems to please even those not interested in bourbon.
But the original Maker’s Mark is a bit thin, sickly, and lacking the oomph I look for in a drink. While it does clock in at 90 proof, it drinks much lower than that. The cask strength version promises to crank everything to 11, coming in at 111.3 proof and with all the straight out of the barrel goodness bourbon fanatics are looking for these days.
Age: Non-Age Stated
ABV: 55.65%
Cask: Charred new oak
MSRP: $55
Distillery Name: Maker’s Mark
Review Date: 11/21/20
Color: Red Amber
Nose: Strong, sweet vanilla tones with dark cherry, chocolate, and candied almonds. A hint of a sweet bread as well. Breathing deep gives you a wallop of alcohol burn. The nose makes it clear that this is no ordinary Marker’s Mark.
Palate: Bursting with flavor on the first sip. Lots of spice on the front end, with vanilla coming in at the mid-palate. Cherry cola and chocolate make an appearance. There is also a citrus element here mixed with a bready pastry quality. A spicy lemon bar come to mind – if such a thing exists. Big full flavors with a strong alcohol presence. This seems to drink hotter than 111 proof. The mouthfeel is pretty good, while not oily and mouth coating, it presents as very enjoyable.
Finish: Medium finish with lots of spice. As the spice subsides the finish leaves lasting notes of barrel char with a slightly acidic end with a touch of bitterness.
Final Thoughts: This is the best Maker’s Mark I have ever had. It is rich, strong and full of complex flavors and I find it hard to believe the regular Maker’s Mark started off as this. The added water to proof down to 90 for regular Marker’s Mark really does a number on the whisky’s character. This is a “wake me up” sort of bourbon with a spicy, sweet tension and a decent mouthfeel.
