Maker’s does a really nice job with these annual releases. The 2020 was my favorite, but the 1st 2021 release was also excellent. I’ll be knocking out both of the 2022 releases in a relatively short span of time, but I figured I’d start with 01. Nose: Toffee, brown sugar, caramel, malt, nougat, and mocha. (Very) ripe banana and orange citrus. Toasted almond and cashew. There’s even something akin to orange meringue. Red hot tamales. Cinnamon, white pepper, clove, nutmeg, and oak. Palate: Vanilla, brown sugar, toffee, caramel. Classic Maker’s cherry pops in a big way, accompanied by more or that orange citrus. Banana again, not quite as overripe as the nose, accompanied my some caramelized apple. Cola. Plum skin. Almond and walnut. Peanut brittle. Graham cracker and marshmallow. Red hot tamales. Crispy bacon. Cinnamon, white pepper, clove, nutmeg, and oak. Finish: Toffee, vanilla, brown sugar, and caramel. Orange meringue and ripe banana. Mocha. Raisin. Dried apricot. Crispy bacon. Red hot tamale. Cinnamon, ginger, white peppper, clove, nutmeg, and oak. Long as they make them. Another absolute winner. This is just an amazing bourbon, no way around it. It’s why I continue to return to the Maker’s well for their annual releases. You can’t beat the quality and the value. This beats last year’s first release and ties the 2020. Speaking of value, this gets a little boost for VFM. This ran me $70, which is the cheapest I can find any annual release whisky out there. Bar none. And if Maker’s rewards me with a fair deal, I’ll pay them back by letting people know about it. It shouldn’t be, but it’s a luxury in life to something that is enjoyable, comes as advertised, and is reasonably attainable. This is all of the above. 4.75. Looking forward to the other release from this year.