Maker's Mark Private Select Bourbon

Liquor City Uncorked pic, "Gallenstein's Selection Batch #9' Date: August 2022 Stave Profile: Baked American Pure: 3 Seared French Cuvee: 5 Maker's Mark 46: 0 Roasted French Mocha: 2 Toasted French Spice: 0 54.45% abv; 108.9 proof Open 5 weeks Nose - Caramel, toasted oak, cinnamon, vanilla bean, allspice, honey roasted almonds, and medium ethanol. Palate - Butterscotch vanilla cream, gingerbread, sweet oak, black cherry, and cardamon. Finish is medium-long with slightly dry oak, cinnamon powder, brown sugar, stale gingerbread, and light ethanol. This pick is eminently drinkable and reminds me of the recent Wood Finishing Series BRT-01. It's not too complex, but it hits all the right sweet and toasted oak notes that Maker's is great at. I normally pass up these store picks because they're everywhere. I can always buy one next time right? But for me they're just like Rare Breed or Jack Daniel's SBBP. I'm never disappointed when I have this type of bottle on my shelf.

Manitoba Liquor Mart Barrel #6 Stave Profile: 2:1:2:4:1 The nose is quite peppery with tons of rye and oak spices coming forward. Brown sugar, caramel, and vanilla are also present. The mouth feel brings the spices out completely with a mild burn in the back of the throat. The caramel and brown sugar sit on the roof of the mouth lingering and causing a mouth watering feel with the vanilla note diluted and sitting near the teeth. The finish is long enough to allow all of the flavors to mingle in the mouth for a enjoyable experience. It is very evident that it is a Maker's Mark product as the nose and mouth do retain much of the standard Maker's profiles, but all notes are elevated and more evident. This is a very good ratio of the staves. Overall Impression: Nose 4.25/5; Taste: 4.25/5 Finish 4.25/5 Score: 4.25/5 Repurchase: Limited product (Not possible) Type: Special Occasion

Panna Cotta (April 2021). Big, bold wood, sweet, dessert like.

Master Distiller March 2021 pick Stave Profile: Baked American Pure: 5 Seared French Cuvee: 0 Maker's Mark 46: 1 Roasted French Mocha: 0 Toasted French Spice: 4 55.0% abv; 110 proof Open 4 weeks Nose - Barrel char, spicy cinnamon, toasted sourdough, black cherry, orange spiced tea, burnt marshmallow, and medium ethanol. Palate - Red hot cinnamon and charred wood, dry baking spices, medicinal cherry, nutmeg, and black pepper. Finish is medium with dry and bitter oak, charcoal, cherry cinnamon candy, and a significant ethanol kick. These combo packs are normally $60. When I saw them at retail for $45 in Kentucky I had to buy it considering Maker's 46 CS is normally $60 and Private Selection is normally $70-75. This is probably my least favorite Maker's stave finish I've had. The nose is very good, but the palate is too hot and lacks complexity. If the palate matched the nose it would be closer to 4.5 stars. Still a good value at the price I found, but would not buy this particular bottle at MSRP.