Thanks to my friend Mark for the sample. Look: Looks like a mid orange color, and with a bit of illumination more of a golden color. Alcohol legs fork and quickly dissipate to droplets Nose: I know that there’s a stave thrown into this bourbon, but I can’t remember if it’s a stave that wine was used in. That said, I get an initial whiff of oak and wine, big time. Reminds me of a red wine from a local place I’ve been to. I get more fruit on my next blast of aromas, reminding me a lot of a Speyside scotch. Swirling gives a little bit more traditional bourbon nose, vanilla. Palate: Oak, grape, vanilla, some slight spicy notes and a grainy flavor. Honey, almost floral at some points. Reminds me of Glenmorangie 10 for some reason. Finish: Oaky for sure, with some acrid notes, turning more towards that earthy grape sweet note. Overall: I’m not sure I’ve had the base Makers, but this is super interesting, and worth drinking absolutely. The stave thrown in really changes this up enough that it’s a truly unique product to me.