Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series 2019 RC6

Sweet and spicy, subtle fruit and nice oak finish

Upfront let me say I’ve had the opportunity to taste many different Bourbons some great some less than desirable. Everyone’s palate, likes and dislikes vary. This Maker’s Mark Wood finishing series RC6 I would have to put in the middle of the pack. Nose is sweet and fruity with a hint of spice that fools the taste. Taste is slightly more complex from original Maker’s Mark. I get a quick fruity front end with a much longer complex floral tobacco with a hint of bitter. For my palate if I chose a Maker’s Mark I would have to say Private Select hands-down.

After discovering Makers 46 a while back, I was intrigued by the wood stave finishing idea, since I loved the 46. I also have a Private Select bottle that has some similar qualities, (different staves). So the RC6 was high on my list to check out! The nose has cinnamon, freshly baked bread, maple syrup, a little bit of red apple and dark stone fruit. The palate has a thicker oily mouthfeel with cinnamon, oak, a little bit of leather and some dark fruit. The finish is long with a decent, but welcome burn. It dries out the palate a little. I like this one. It is noticeably different than my Private Select. I was thinking it might be closer to the 46, but I guess that’s what the cask strength 46 is for (I wish that was readily available). But I like what this has going on. I need to spend more time with it, but I’m enjoying it.

Long awaited for a Kentucky boy... supposedly has been available at the distillery in Loretto for a month or so but this one showed up on a local shelf and promptly followed me home. Warm, amber color in a glencarin. The nose is rich and sweet with maple, butterscotch, orange peel, tobacco and toasted oak. There’s really not a hint of alcohol. Here goes... spice forward! Cinnamon and the sensation of licking pop rocks. It’s not a smooth wheater by any means. The second sip is of course smoother with more vanilla, butterscotch and oak coming through with hints of allspice before a short dry finish. Overall really pleasant. Sitting here moments afterword I peel like I’ve licked a cedar plank. There’s still a bit of tingle going on between the tongue and roof of my mouth and a maple sweetness from the throat and back if my nose. This is one I will have to put head to head with cask strength makers, which I recall having a much thicker mouth feel and more caramel sweetness. This may be a bit more balanced, and I really don’t want a higher proof out of it. There’s never an ethanol aroma but the chest certainly feels the proof. In summary - like eating maple pecan pancakes at a fall bonfire as the leaves crackle under foot of those running about. Happy Autumn bourbon fans. ———— Fast forward one year. The tree canopies are hues of red, gold and the last flash of green. This bottle is a vanilla and maple syrup bomb on the nose. Legs fall and arrest before Milk chocolate, cinnamon and oak waft from the glass. Ethanol is there to remind you to be cautious. Thin on entry. Cedar, vanilla, nutmeg and a milk chocolate and oak finish. A subtle, warm hug. It’s fall once again.

Fantastic nose; chocolate caramel apples, surprisingly little ethanol. Ridiculously easy drinking for its proof. Caramel forward with cocoa apple and cinnamon following. Highly recommended for MM fans and naysayers alike.