Maker's Mark Private Selection Bourbon

First time I tried Maker’s Private selections i did not like it. It was too strong with unfamiliar oak. So I guess you could say this is not as approachable as other finished bourbons like Woodford Double Oaked. That said, these bottles have now become some of my favorites. This particular bottle is 0-0-2-6-2 at 110 proof. On the nose I find stong cherry and floral notes. On the palette there is also buttercream, spices, leather and umami. Overall very sweet, delicious and easy to drink.

Many retailers select custom barrels in the Maker's Mark Private Selection series; this one is "Bev Max Edition #1", stave profile 1-2-2-4-1, bottled at 109.5 proof in February 2021. Very similar clear reddish mahogany color to the Maker's 46 that immediately preceded it. The nose is more focused and less plush than the MM46, showing carrot cake, butter pecan ice cream, Golden Grahams cereal, a whiff of molasses, and a dusty note. The wood jumps out on the palate, which has a wonderful, oily mouthfeel where the flavors explode, buoyed by the higher proof, which is well-integrated. Loads of vanilla on the finish which lingers like a long country road. 4.25 on the Distiller scale. I don't recall the price I paid for this--perhaps $60?--and while these Private Selection bottles aren't as polished as some of the other MM wood-staved products (FAE-01 and -02, BRT-01 and -02) in my experience, they're always reliable, and unique given the custom stave profile, offering a differentiated drinking experience. N.B.: All spirits tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

Argonaut pick is straight french toast in a great way

Loretto Modjeska - allll spice and i kind of enjoy it. Enough sweetness to keep me in it but the spice kicks your ass in a good way.

Brown Strauss Select: 2-2-0-4-2 Nose: brown sugar, cherry. Baking spices and a little chocolate Palate: its nice and thick here, sweet dark sugar/molasses, sweet, rich, and dark wood notes, moderate tanins. Caramel and vanilla, vanilla is not as strong here as youd expect. A tiny bit of chocolate, some mild nuttiness. Baking spices. Finish: warming, cinnamon?, Long and a little oily