Founded in 1953 when Bill Samuels and his wife Margie purchased the Burks’ Distillery, Maker’s Mark, with its signature dripping-red wax, is easily one of the most recognizable Bourbon brands in the world.
Maker’s Mark is a wheated bourbon, meaning that the mash bill (recipe of grains used to make the Bourbon) contains a large amount of wheat, in this case, red winter wheat. You can expect more soft, earthy, and bready flavours from this Bourbon. If you tour Maker’s Mark today, they will tell you they only make one product, and that is Maker’s Mark. Despite that, they do offer a few different expressions.
In 2010 Maker’s Mark launched “Maker’s 46” created by Bill Samuels Jr, which takes the standard Maker’s Mark and finishes it by inserting 10 seared French oak staves. 46 was the first-ever line extension by this historic brand. Four years later Maker’s Mark "Cask Strength" would be introduced, originally only available as a distillery exclusive and only in 375ml bottles.
In 2016, following the success of Maker’s 46, Maker’s Mark Private Select was launched giving bars, restaurants, and retailers like us, the opportunity to have a unique single barrel. Using the same method of finishing as the 46, the difference here is that Maker’s Private Select offers us the opportunity to customize the stave selection by choosing from 5 different staves. Those staves are Baked American Pure, Seared French Cuvee, Maker’s Mark 46 (seared French oak), Roasted French Mondiant, and Toasted French Spice.
Our Vintage Wine and Spirits Maker’s Mark Private Select is clocking in at 55.1% or 110.2 proof and was bottled in August of 2021. We decided to use the following stave profile: Baked American Pure - 3, Seared French Cuvee - 1, Maker’s Mark 46 - 1, Roasted French Mondiant - 2, and Toasted French Spice - 1
The French Mondiant brings this pick to a whole other level, it’s sweet, it’s dry, it’s spicy. Perfect neat, or on a large cube.
Appearance: In the glass, this Bourbon presents as a beautiful amber honey.
Nose: This opens with aromas of cinnamon and grocery store cardamom cookies, leading into fresh sourdough bread and oatmeal raisin cookies.
Palate: The front palate starts off strong with some cinnamon roll filling, leading into milk chocolate-covered raisins on the mid-palate as well as notes of fresh orange, and a little bit of pepper. The back of the palate is pure sugar with maraschino cherries as the dominant note.