Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series 2021 FAE-01

I hold a small affection toward Makers. It started years ago when I was becoming more of an established whisky imbiber (probably because of the uniqueness of the wax seal). I have yet to sample or taste any of the wood finishing series; this being my obvious first. This sample was provided by Distillers master of sharing, @PBMichiganWolverine The aroma is not as bold and in your face. But the aroma is present. A caramel and leather base supports sweetness and fruitiness. A cinnamon-rich peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. With all that, over time, a fresh, humid mild cigar begins to make its presence. Overt but not harsh or brash. There is a deep, rich flavor intensity in its raw form. Take maple syrup and add red pepper flakes: sweet and spicy. There is a fruitiness and an earthy quality to the fruitiness that, after repeated sips, becomes increasingly growing in intensity. Maraschino cherries, green bananas, milk chocolate and oaken flavors meld and mix in a final blast then slowly fade to the finish. A bit of water keeps does not radically alter the whisky much from the undiluted pour. However, a metallic quality becomes a new player to the palate. Slightly off putting, but does not distract or diminish the experience. A wooden finish with cherry oil, vanilla and nuttiness and charcoal fade, surprisingly, relatively quick, though not immediate. When you sip, you will most likely know it’s Makers (not necessarily a bad thing). The nose and palate are pleasing. The high abv is not obvious and raises a hint of a high proof whisky. Preferable neat in its full form. But to extend your palate life, a small ice cube may be a way to do that. Good flavor and a easy sipper which makes an enjoyable dram. [88/100][Tasted: 5/21/21]

Spoiler alert: Wait, what? A Makers product gets over 4.0 from me? Read on.... I’ve made no secret that out of all the big boys, Makers is probably my least favorite distillery. While I have enjoyed a few (Makers 46, and 101 proof), their cask strength whiskeys have ranged from “not worth the cost” to “total shit show”. So it is with much surprise and some pleasure that I present the following review. Nose blasts out of the glass with dark fruits, saddle leather, oak, concord grapes, barrel charcoal, caramel, and vanilla. On the palate the fruits come through big time making this quite a delight; fig, date, cherry, plum, and bananas foster sauce after being flambéd. Brown butter, leather, tobacco, and grape leaf in the mid-palate. Everything is rich as hell; the bourbon equivalent of a slice of double chocolate cake. Finish is satisfyingly long and consists mostly of stone fruit and oak with a dash of Grains of Paradise. The ride from the palate to the finish is a smooth one. And while this does show all of its 111 proof, the scalding heat of other Makers releases is blissfully absent here. Mouthfeel is full and grippy. Heavy oiliness coats the entire mouth with ease. Who knew that what it took for Makers to ascend to greatness was to make a fruit forward whiskey? At $70, I have ZERO regrets this time. And that’s a great thing to type as I was starting to feel like my relationship with Makers was becoming almost abusive (“It will be different this time, I swear!”) Nice to finally score a hit.