MM101
APPEARANCE: Nice presentation in the box. Standard Maker's shaped bottle, but I really prefer Maker's with the rough paper labels. Pours the typical light copper color that Maker's is known for.
NOSE: Traditonal Maker's dialed up a few notches. Richer. Creme Brûlée, Brown Sugar, Deep Vanilla, Dry Dusty Barn Wood, Straw, Oak Spice, with a Little Stinging Heat. A Light Floral Note rings the whole experience. Moist Brown Sugar on the empty glass.
NEAT: An Overall Drying Character. Up Front: Oak Spice, Vanilla Extract, Brown Sugar, Coffee With Cream, Slightly Tannic. Back-End: Cocoa and Cherry followed by a Nice Building Warmth on the Finish. Cocoa, Vanilla Extract, and Oak Spice Coat and Layer on the Palate. While I find standard Maker's Mark a little on the thin side, this has a Thicker Coating Mouthfeel. Very good!
SPLASH: Takes the sting out of the Nose. Palate becomes a Little Sweeter and Less Tannic. Milk Chocolate Covered Cherries. A hint of Maple? Still very good!
VERDICT: Hopefully this becomes a permanent line extension. Probably my favorite Maker's expression to date. Worth the $10-$12 upcharge over the standard issue. THIS IS WHAT MAKER'S SHOULD BE DOING! Stop it with the million and one Stave Finishing Combinations. Take the tried and true mashbill and release it at higher proof points. How about a Single Barrel or 10 Year release? Add these to the Regular 6'ish year, the Cask Strength, and Maker's 46 and have one of the strongest lineups on the Bourbon Aisle. Stop trying to reinvent the wheel. Damn near perfect. Maker's? Good job outta' you...
42.0
USD
per
Bottle
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@BDanner Thanks, that makes complete sense. It would have been hard to understand why the 101 costed less than the CS, though I guess WT sells the Kuntuck Spirit for more than the Rare Breed and I imagine there are other similar cases.
@ContemplativeFox I’m in a state that is MSRP across the board. MM-$30, MM46-$40, MMCS-$50. The MM101 hit shelves at $42. That should tell you how Beam/Suntory ranks them value wise.
@ContemplativeFox possibly. Another local shop I was at yesterday had the CS at $49. It could be the one shop wants to clear some shelf space.
@Scott_E I just saw the 101 for ~$40 and the CS for something like $50-55. Seems like some odd regional pricing is going on here.
@Zachary-Robbins Good to hear. Saw the price compare side by side and for a $1 more and a bit less proof, the consensus seems to be for 101, which is ultimately why I grabbed a bottle.
@Scott_E I think this is better than the 2 batches of cask strength I've had. It's certainly a lot better than one of them, which drank way too hot for its proof.
@Scott_E that's exactly the question that's been on my mind since I saw this release. I'm surprised that this isn't just watered down Maker's
@Scott_E my understanding is that the 101 is a limited release. If it sells well enough, who knows. Lots of Maker’s out there now. MM, 46, MMCS, 46CS, 101, Limited Edition, Private Selections galore. From a company that less than 10 years ago only had MM & 46 on the she and dropped the proof to try and meet demand. With their average age being 6-7 years I should say that their ramped up production must’ve more than met demand when you look at all the new products coming out of Loretto.
@BDanner I may have to pick the CS also just to see. In fact, the store had CS at $37 and the 101 at $39. Wonder is the CS will be phased out in favor of the 101, ultimately squeezita few more bottles in the end.
@Scott_E ...and if you go back about a page and a half in my reviews, you will find my review of the new batch of MMCS.
@Scott_E Cask Strength (normally $50) was on sale last month in NC ABC’s for $40 (a huge markdown for NC) so it was actually a little cheaper than the 101. Over the course of the month, I bought two of each. I really like both. With their cask strength only running about 9 or 10’ish proof points more, there’s not a lot of difference. The 101 seems a little more complex than the Cask after a splash. I think there is value in having both. If they’re the same price, it’s a toss up, but at the regular prices, I’m happier with the 101.
@BDanner I picked up a bottle primarily from your review. In purchasing, for essentially the same price, was the Cask Strength sitting right next to this. Wondering if you have had cask and also wondering what makes the two the same or different. That is, is this just a slightly watered down cask? If not, what’s the difference and why?
Maker's Mark is fine enough, I just prefer Larceny for that price point. Bernheim over both of them, but it's not technically a bourbon...
"Take the tried and true mashbill and release it at higher proof points. How about a Single Barrel or 10 Year release" well I agree, if you mean take the 46 and release it as a SiB/BP, Makers has already perfected the "stave aging" they need to stop trying to reinvent the wheel, focus on what they already do well and do that better.
@CKarmios I mean, I've liked every Maker's I've had. But I've also passed on every private select because they're $70, they barely exist in my mind.
@CKarmios true. It’s the brand you love to hate on, but when they get one right? They get it right.
@Zachary-Robbins I think they’re really angry at everything Makers but this one....oh one
You're both really angry with and really happy with Maker's, it's a conundrum.
@WhiskyWitch "Hillbilly's Pride" "Bluegrass Splendor" "Hatfield/McCoy Heritage"
@BDanner Well, it's "Maker's Mark", not "Highland Park"...
@WhiskyWitch You could be right, though it's missing some witty name like "Caramel Mocha Bomb", "Toffee Bar", "Creamy Milkshake", etc. etc.
And SURELY, for consistency, the "101" refers to "Stave Profile No. 101" and not the proof :p
I was hoping to hear this after seeing it on the shelf yesterday. Time to pick one up! Great review.