Maker's Mark Private Select Bourbon

Caramel, apple and oak nose. Soft vanilla on the palate with a pronounced mint note that complements the sweet and soft wheated character. Long finish showing more of that unusual-to-Maker’s mint.

John Howie Steak Barrel #2 - 55.4% ABV 3x Seared French Cuvee, Maker's 46, Roasted French Mocha 1x Toasted French Spice Nose - (w/o water) Sweet vanilla, gentle cinnamon, hint of chocolate, caramel, sweet brioche, vanilla frosting (w/ water) More sharp vanilla sweet, more caramel, less chocolate Taste - (w/o water) Buttery/oily mouthfeel that transitions to a lightly dry leather, sweet buttery vanilla caramel, hint of cinnamon, mocha foam, faint hint of sweet cherries (w/ water) A lot thinner/drier mouthfeel, drying oak, cinnamon heat, oaky caramel Finish - (w/o water) Lingering waxy/buttery mouthfeel, sweet caramel, light caramel mocha, sharp sweet cherry (w/ water) Lingering drying mouthfeel, brown simple sweet, chocolate returns Score - 81/100 Final Thoughts - So this one does not really do very well with the addition of water as it seems to throw everything off balance. This drinks surprisingly below its proof neat. That being said, it doesn't taste that much different from standard Maker's even with all of the finishing staves. The only benefit is that it's slightly higher proof and doesn't drink like it. Sadly the addition of water kind of throws it off balance so not sure how this would do in a cocktail. Would I drink it if offered? - Yes Would I specifically order it? - No Would I buy a bottle? - Not another

house of cards

Begin disclaimers. On a previous review, I stated that Trail Inn/Triangle should give me this bottle for free, seeing as how I’m reviewing their other store picks on an app with a super limited following and zero impact on their business model. Inexplicably, they did not in fact meet this request, which they probably never heard, and I paid full retail for this bottle. I find these terms completely unacceptable and am concerned my poor purchasing experience could negatively flavor my review of this fine bottle. End disclaimers. Things I didn’t know prior to purchase: They take makers mark barrel strength and screw with it. They stick in 10 staves out of 5 categories, options in this case being “Baked American Pure 2,” “Seared French Cuvée,” “Makers 46,” “Roasted French Mocha,” and “Toasted French Spice.” I’m not sure what gives the staves those names, but in this case Trail Inn/Triangle picked: 2 Baked American Pure 2 4 Makers 46 2 Roasted French Mocha 2 Toasted French Spice Bottle comes in at 108.1 proof. Another thing I appreciated about this purchase is that it came with a candid admission from the barrel picker. The panel of 15 had it narrowed down to 2 barrels. One of them was very super interesting, and the other was more approachable. They shrewdly went with the more approachable version, but it makes one wonder... Nose gives off heavy baking spices. I get cinnamon and vanilla. Brown sugar too. That nose is very busy, in a good way. Body is very chocolatey. A bit of powdered sugar, but it’s hard to get past that chocolate. It’s good, just dominating. Finish had a bit of cinnamon, and tons of chocolate. A slight bitterness there too, which on its own might seem nutty or leathery. In this context, it just melts into that chocolate. The heat carries longer than you’d expect, and keeps the flavors alive on your tongue. I really like that finish. Overall my impression of this is a chocolate bomb. It’s good neat, and I could see it being epic in certain cocktails. If you see a 2-0-4-2-2 pick, I highly recommend. I’m also now very excited to try other combinations to see what others have selected. Perhaps one day I’ll find that super interesting yet too risky runner-up barrel.

Mocha Wheater. I really like this. Sweet and hot.