Maker's Mark Bourbon

Honey, marzipan and candied apples on the nose. Delicate for a Bourbon yet elegant. Wood shavings add some dustiness. Palate is tart and nutty, there's a citrus caramel toffee there somewhere. Smooth and oily texture. Black pepper and slightly astringent cocoa finish. Mild but long.

Criminally underrated, in my view. Granted, it’s sort of generically Bourbon on the nose — vanilla, honey, and a hint of allspice — but it puts the pedal down on the palate. For me, buttery kettlecorn is the predominant note, but I also get a little smidgen of cola and/or pomegranate. And as another reviewer mentioned, there’s a sharp oak char there as well. That and the shiny 45% alcohol give it a jagged edge I really like. It’s not complicated, but it’s such a steal at $23. I think if it were less available and more expensive, the pros would rate it more highly. But that’s just, like, my opinion, man.