Maker's Mark Private Select Oak Stave Selection By Total Wine & More

N: maple syrup, caramel, slight banana, pepper P: oak forward, lots of pepper, underlying caramel F: long, oak and red hots This is the 2021 selection from Total Wine. Viscosity light-medium. Wheated sweetness without being syrupy, caramel underneath the blast of oak and pepper. After the red hots wear off the finish is a very pleasurable light sweetness and oak.

Smooth and smoky

On a trip to Florida and four of us are trying four high proof wheated bourbons: Lanceny barrel proof batch A120 and B520, both bottom third Makers Mark barrel stave program with 6 French mocha staves 109 proof, top third Boone County 7yr SiB 122 proof, top third Pretty stiff competition with very close scoring. We all appreciate sharing thoughts. One will say "I get ---" and the replies vary from "Yeah, now that you mention it" or, "No not at all" . Nobody is offended by any opinion. A great way to spend the afternoon with ribs on the smoker. This one is rich on the nose a with caramel and oak that I love. The alcohol is well in the background and I get coffee a layer down. The palate is true less the coffee. The finish is predominately oak and fairly long. I like that. This was my number two but others had it lower. It hasn't been open long so it may improve.

Nose - classic barrel spice and caramel, kind of a closed nose overall Palette - medium bodied, strong spice, some vanilla and caramel underneath, barrel tannins and some nuttiness Finish - lingering dry spice, medium burn

Smooth with hints of caramel and vanilla with the spice on the front

Classic Maker’s. Pepper and caramel and maple goodness. I was able to try this during a very long night of whiskey tasting, but I was unfortunately unable to take good notes. I use the rating scale below. Distiller uses a scale of 5 and I use a scale of 10, but I’m sure you’re not too drunk to do the math! 1. Disgusting - So bad I poured it out. 2. Poor - I wouldn't consume by choice. 3. Bad - Multiple flaws. 4. Below average - Not bad, but many things I'd rather have. 5. Good - Just average. 6. Very Good - Better than average. 7. Great - Well above average. 8. Excellent - In a league of its own. 9. Incredible - An all-time favorite. 10. Perfect