Maker’s Mark Private Select Fine Wine & Good Spirits 2 Baked American Pure 2 4 Maker’s 46 3 Roasted French Mocha 1 Toasted French Spice FINAL SCORE 80/100 Vital Statistics: Distillery/Blender: Maker’s Mark Category: Kentucky Bourbon Age Statement: NAS, at least 5 years 9 months Proof: 110.9 Mash bill/blend: <50% corn, unknown % red wheat, no rye Tasting Date: 05/11/2018 Nose: 17/20 Delicate and sweet, toffee mostly, with some apple and pear nectar, like an estery Belgian witbier, with light coriander overtones. Nothing overly exciting, but nothing harsh, with alcohol well-hidden. Initial Taste: 14/15 Spritely pop of lemon zest covered in near-burnt sugar. Body/Mouthfeel: 6/10 Definitely light and gentle on the palate. It is surprisingly light, with a pretty high viscosity despite how sugar it is. Though, there is very little spice or astringency to speak of, and so the light touch is in concert with the theme of this drink. Some may find it lacking in mouthfeel, expecting it to have a more silky touch for something light and smooth, like a Glenmorangie, but it is definitely consistent with the spritely nature of the drink, and so not entirely a fault. Taste: 14/15 Zesty, yet creamy lemon curd with citrusy-sweet-tart preserved lemon filling at the bottom, frothy mousse topping, maple drizzle, and chocolate shavings to cap it off with still-milky, yet semi-sweet and slightly toasty piquant cocoa-roundness. Finish: 16/20 A lovely continuation of the taste, with a bit of something like the sip of mild espresso and biscotti and lemon peel you had to wash down the last bit of lemon curd. It fades after a bit because of the light touch, but it makes it very easy to sip frequently and quietly. Value: 6/10 Value is hard to speak about. It’s a special bottle, and quite tasty, but some may feel the body in particular is a weak point for something you’d pay over $70 for. Overall: 7/10 A memorable drink actually. The toffee and lemony crème-brulee-esque combo here with maple sugar sweetness all through works so well, even I enjoy it, and I don’t like sugary-sweet. The persistent lemony character perfectly masks that corn “tang” that often puts a damper on an otherwise fine bourbon. The major drawback here is a mouthfeel on the light side, and a finish that’s also perhaps a bit too delicate for the proof.