Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series 2020 SE4 x PR5

Vanilla and caramel all day long. Buttery feel between sips. Long lasting with some nice wheat spice.

This is the sweetest smelling 110+ proof whiskey I've ever poured. I'm drinking side by side with MM 101 AND MM 46. This bottle combines the best of both. More complex and high proof than the 101, but goes down just about as smoothly as the 94 proof 46.

Given the fanfare of this bottle I was excited to try it but after sitting down with it several times it's just a muddled mess with grass clippings being the most prominent note. I'd like to see Maker's put out something that knocks it out of the park and, in theory, they should be able to but I have yet to find something that clicks for me. The playing around with staves feels like a gimmick more than anything and I'd rather see them do something simple like an 8-12yr CS of honey barrels similar to ECBP/Booker's/FR private select.

Amber color. Nose has intense vanilla and caramel apples with notes of bubble gum, maple syrup, cinnamon stick and honeysuckle. Mouthfeel is a little lite. Palate is a caramel bomb with fresh warm caramel and caramel candy dusted in powdered sugar, vanilla bean, maple sugar, sweet oak, Red Hots cinnamon candy and a little leather and ethanol. Finish is medium-long, hot and dry. The caramel note continues, with lingering oak, toasted grains and cinnamon apples. This isn't super complex, but if you're a bourbon fan it feels like home. I could drink this all night.