MAKER’S MARK WOOD-FINISHING SERIES SHOWDOWN Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Maker’s 46 French Oaked Cask Strength Maker’s Mark BRT-02 Limited Release Maker’s Mark The Heart Release 2024 Maker’s Mark The Keeper’s Release 2025 Maker’s Mark Private Selection Unique Stave Selection 086/246 (TL;DR: The BRT-02 wins in a landslide). This review began as a critique of three Maker’s Mark Finishing Series bourbons: The Heart Release 2024, The Keeper’s Release 2025, and a Private Selection Unique Stave Selection. Then I realized that I needed a baseline, so I pulled a bottle of Maker’s 46 French Oaked Cask Strength (everything’s about context). That led to the need to baseline the MM46, so I grabbed a Maker’s Mark Cask Strength. Finally, I realized I had a (unopened) BRT-02 in inventory and decided to toss it into the mix. So we’ll begin with the baselines: first the normal MM Cask Strength, then the MM46 Cask Strength, and those followed by the others in chronological order. I tasted these bourbons over the course of several days. I’m a fan of Maker’s Mark and their Wood-Finishing Series, which began with Maker’s 46 back in the day. All whiskies—bourbon, Scotch, Irish, Japanese—have experimented with special releases with varying success, typically focused on barrels having contained another wine or spirit. So when Maker’s developed the 46 project further, I was more than happy to test things out (all in the name of science). Maker’s Mark Cask Strength While I’ve always had a bottle of Maker’s around the house, and have been a big fan of Maker’s 46 since it first came out, I’ve never been a Maker’s Mark Cask Strength afficionado (and I prefer high-proof bourbon). My not-quite-dislike never made sense to me, as I’ve always viewed Barrel Proof and Cask Strength whiskies as purer expressions of their lower-proof brethren. MM Cask Strength had a taste that I never could quite put my finger on—there was a musty element. And with this tasting, I think I’ve figured it, right under my nose. It’s the wood—but it tastes like old wood. Bourbon by definition has to be aged in charred new American oak, so “by law” it shouldn’t be old. But this wood doesn’t impart the rich vanilla and other flavors that new oak typically provides—and which is the entire ethos behind Maker’s Wood Finishing series. In comparison to the other five bourbons here, the Cask Strength comes across as flat; the wood just isn’t doing much. Maker’s Mark Cask Strength can be found for around $45. Would I buy it again? Yes, just to have on-hand, but primarily for cocktails because of the high ABV. 3.75 on the Distiller scale. Batch No. 21-02. 55.2% ABV. Maker’s Mark 46 French Oaked Cask Strength Much richer and deeper than the regular Cask Strength. Also richer and more powerful than the Heart, Keeper’s, and Private Selection; in comparison, these seem a bit more delicate in comparison. The MM46 is a touch more monolithic than the others, but the depth and richness wins out. Consistent with prior note (10/12/23). Hot chocolate, cocoa, dried apricot, cola, vanilla, and yes, a smidgen of dill. Lots of oak. Cinnamon apples and clove on the palate. Medium-length finish with lots of oak characteristics. Maker’s Mark 46 French Oaked Cask Strength can be bought for around $60. Would I buy it again? Yes. 4.0 on the Distiller scale. Batch 24-01. 55.3% ABV. Maker’s Mark BRT-02 Limited Release (2022) Elegance and power. Sweet and fruity: cocoa, espresso, dates, caramel apple, smoked BBQ, oak, vanilla. The smoothest of the bunch—by far—despite there being a range of only 2.8 percentages points of proof amongst these six bourbons. Finishes very long with chocolate fudge and maple candy. BRT-02 can still be found for around $140 online (I had no idea). This is a fantastic bourbon. Would I buy it again? It’s not cheap, but it’s a good value. Yes. 4.5+ on the Distiller scale. Stave Profile: 10 virgin toasted French Oak staves. 54.7% ABV. Maker’s Mark The Heart Release 2004 I’m surprised that I haven’t reviewed this bourbon before, as this pour was the bottle’s last. The label says “Caramel, Chocolate, Maple.” In reality, this practice—employed by numerous distillers—is more aptly referred to as “leading the witness.” Caramel is a common bourbon descriptor; chocolate in various guises is also commonplace. Maple, a bit less so. I don’t really get maple here. Chocolate-covered cherries? Yes, and maybe some cocoa. Pipe tobacco? New saddle leather? Yes and yes. And spearmint. The palate is not particularly viscous. Cinnamon red hots and clove on the finish, with wood tannins and cooling licorice. The alcohol is noticeable, and a bit out of balance; I’ve had higher-proofed whiskies that were better integrated. The Heart Release was launched at $75 retail, and can still be found online for just over that. While it’s true that many whiskies have more cachet, and perhaps better marketing, the market’s Invisible Hand is telling you something here. I’ve got whiskies that have appreciated 10x since purchasing them. I’ve never bought a whisk(e)y as an investment—I drink them—but scarcity is a significant driver of price, and apparently there’s plenty of these still around. Either A) Maker’s produced way too much; B) connoisseurs weren’t particularly enamored (this price point is aimed at enthusiasts; it’s not a mixer); or C) all of the above. I enjoyed this bourbon, and have no regrets purchasing it, but it’s not particularly noteworthy, unlike the earlier FAE and BEP releases. It is more fruity (and maybe more complex) than the Maker’s 46 Cask Strength when tasted side-by-side. Would I buy it again? Maybe, just to have it around to compare to others. 4.0 on the Distiller scale. Stave Profile: 10 virgin toasted French oak staves. Volume 1 of 5. Bottled June 2024. 56.0% ABV. Maker’s Mark The Keeper’s Release 2005 The bottle says: “Bold, Oak, Toasted Sweetness.” The bourbon drinker asks: “And?” An F on originality. But not quite “move along, nothing to see here;” we still have to drink it. Because science. I get a prominent cherry cordial note on the nose, along with sawdust (not necessarily in a bad way), cocoa, mocha (coffee’s lovechild, but not coffee solo), apple? spearmint, and (surprise!) oak. Neither particularly oily nor viscous on the palate. A raft of oaky tannins commingled with alcohol. A cooling spearmint and licorice note throughout, with bittersweet chocolate, vanilla, and espresso on the finish, with a peach note coming in very, very late. Is it “Bold?” I hope so. This ain’t 80-proof Beam on the rocks. This is bourbon in above-bottled-in-bond territory. Also neat. Is it “Oak?” Yes, bourbon by definition must be aged in new, charred oak barrels. Same goes for “Toasted Sweetness.” The oak is toasted (charred), and the oak is the source of the various “sweet” descriptors. Forget what I said: the market has spoken. The Keeper’s Release can still be found for around its release price of $75. Would I buy it again? Perhaps, for the same reason as the 2024 Heart Release—to continue to explore the different Maker’s expressions. I prefer this slightly about the Heart Release, but it's’ not too differentiated. 4.0+ on the Distiller scale. Stave Profile: 10 virgin toasted American oak staves. Release 2 of 5. Bottled February 2025. 54.6% ABV. Maker’s Mark Unique Stave Selection 086/246 Most woodsy (not quite woody per se) of the three. Marzipan, cocoa, peaches—sweeter than the others. More viscosity than the Heart or Keeper’s. Vanilla, chocolate fudge, and licorice on the finish. All of these Unique Stave Selections are unique. But variants, including this one, can be found for around $85. Would I buy it again? I’d return to the store where I purchased this particular expression for another bottle. 4.25 on the Distiller scale. Stave Profile: Baked American Pure (0); seared French cuvée (3); Maker’s Mark 46 (1); roasted French mendiant (5); toasted French spice (1). No. 086/246. 55.35% ABV. I tasted these bourbons over the course of several days, in small amounts. Each feel a bit clunky vs the elegant and complex BRT-02. The 46 is the most bold; the Unique Stave Selection the most sweet. 1. BRT-02 Limited Release 2. Private Selection Unique Stave Selection 086/246 3. Marker’s 46 French Oaked Cask Strength 4. The Heart Release 2024 5. The Keeper’s Release 2025 6. Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Six Glencairns of bourbon side by side is always instructive. It would be difficult to dissect these bourbons individually (and all six together presents its own set of difficulties). These recent special releases are not at the level of Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged series, which are noteworthy. Nor are they of the same caliber as their FAE and BRT predecessors in the early 2020s. And while I’m skeptical of private barrel selections from any retailer—does anyone really think that a distiller is going to let a retailer have access to its best barrels, rather than keeping them themselves?—in this particular case, the private selection tasted here was in many respects superior to the other more prominent releases. And then there’s the Maker’s 46 French Oaked Cask Strength itself. This expression can be found for only $10-15 less than the special releases. It’s the best value of the bunch.