This is one hot Maker's Mark! Neat on a fresh pour, it tastes like a fiery shield of alcohol heat with that familiar standard Maker's sweetness toward the end of the taste. Not the best but certainly not the worst. Its rather interesting though: I have found that I prefer Makers and Makers 46 on an ice ball while their more limited selections ( any Wood Finishing series or Select series ) I much preferred neat, high proof and all. And some of those limited selections are certainly higher proof than this 101 proof. Yet here we are: a relatively tame proof ( vs other cask strength offerings from Maker's ) that seems like it needs a bit of ice to cool down. After adding an ice ball, this bourbon all seems to come together. Sweet, with a lot of corn on the mash bill. There seems to be an almost syrupy quality about it as it coats your tongue. There is a bit of spice that I have found lacking from standard Maker's or 46..perhaps it's been too long since I've had a taste? Look: for the price of this bottle vs standard Maker's or 46; it is worth a try. But really, if its pure smoothness you're after: 46 won't disappoint. If I'm after Maker's served up high proof, any of the Private Select or Wood Finishing Series is light years better than this... but then again they are double the price or more.