Distillery: Maker's Mark
Proof: 110.1
Age: NAS
Mashbill: 70% Corn, 16% Wheat, 14% Malted Barley
BACKGROUND: Maker's Mark private select series uses wood finished bourbons to make each barrel completely unique to the store. Maker's Mark private barrel selects are bottled at cask strength after the whiskey ages with 10 custom wood finishing staves. After the whiskey is given the 10 custom wood finishes, it is then aged in a limestone cellar. The finishing staves can be any combination of five finishing options which allows for 1,001 possible stave combinations, each expression of Private Selection has a customized finish and taste profile that is unique. This is a private barrel selection from the Roosevelt Room in Austin, TX. The oak finishing staves are 2 Baked American Pure 2, 4 Seared French Cuvée, 1 Maker's 46, 1 Roasted French Mocha, and 2 Toasted French Spice.
NOSE: The nose is very rich and sweet with delightful notes of rich caramel, cotton candy, sweet vanilla extract, cherries, maple, and toasted oak. The proof leaves a tingling sensation without going over the edge of burning. This is one of the best sweet noses I've ever smelt. (23/25)
PALATE: As soon as the whiskey touched my lips you are met by a chewy, creamy sweetness that is incredible. It starts with a chewy caramel and maple that is followed by dried citrus fruit and dark chocolate. The proof tingles in your mouth while maintaining an overall smooth and balanced flavor profile. There is also a very smooth and mature oak note that lies underneath this whiskey reminding me of a well aged, smooth, whiskey. (37/40)
FINISH: The finish is very long with notes of toasted oak, chewy leather, tannins, and dried maple. It has a chewiness and fullness that warms you right up. (23/25)
VALUE: Maker's Mark Private Select bottles usually have an SRP of $80 which is a good price point for a cask strength wheated bourbon. However, there are some Private Selects that have been quite sub-par so each barrel is a gamble. (7/10)
Overall: 90/100
FINAL THOUGHTS: This private barrel of Maker's Mark is truly a step above most of the whiskeys out there. It was smooth, sweet, bold, and balanced. Maker's Mark Private Selects have been hit and miss in our book but this one was an out of the park homer! This whiskey definitely packs a slight punch so if you do not like high proof whiskeys it may not be for you. We recommend this to anyone who likes wheated, sweet, and punchy bourbons. If you want us to review one your private barrels, send us an email!
Similar & Slightly Better Whiskey: Weller Full Proof
Similar & Equal Whiskey: Old Fitzgerald 9 Year
Similar & Slightly Worse Whiskey: Larceny Barrel proof A121
Tell us what you think and give us some feedback!
Scoring Legend:
96-100: The perfect dram, juice of the gods
90-95: Near perfect, truly incredible whiskey
85-89: Amazing whiskey, will always try to keep a backup bottle of this
80-84: Very good, some minor flaws here or there
75-79: Good, quite enjoyable to drink, Will try and keep a bottle on the shelf
70-74: Solid, wouldn’t go out of my way to get this
60-69: Decent, would offer this up to non whiskey drinkers
50-59: Not my cup of tea
Below 50: Give away
