Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series 2020

Excellent in so many ways

Liking this more and more. Mouthfeel is incredible. Vanilla, caramel, and baking spices. Mild but the proof is perfect. And the mouthfeel delivers enough robustness of flavor

Nose: straight apple with a layer of cinnamon and caramel. Palate: caramel, vanilla, apple. Cinnamon on the back end Finish: oak and leather. Decently long finish

Taste was neat in a glencairn glass. The bottle has been open for about 5 weeks. Had to let this sit for about 15 minutes for this to open up, got almost all ethanol on the initial pour. Nose - it’s a decent nose but, subtle. The most prominent things that jump out are a sweet vanilla like a vanilla frosting and fresh apple peel. There’s some caramel undertones but not as prominent as the stave profile would suggest. Rounds out with a little bit of cinnamon, toasted oat, and slight oak presence. Palate- palate is unique, vanilla, but got more caramel than the nose was suggesting, really pick up on the apple, and then the spice takes over. Mid to back palate is a spice bomb, lot of pepper, cinnamon, the apple hangs in there as well. Little bit of oak. Finish - medium, pleasant and not drying, apple continues to be the standout, hints of caramel, vanilla, oak and leather. The SE4 x PR5 didn’t blow me away but it’s good, definitely hits above average. There’s some good flavor there, but you might have to work to identify it. The caramel and vanilla dance around a little bit, the apple was always consistent. If you like a spicy bourbon then this is a good option, it’s not a burn it’s a legitimate spicy flavor. This would be a good bourbon on a crisp fall evening. Definitely recommend.

Delicious. Slight vanilla and Carmel taste.