It’s rather poetic that the release of Maker’s Mark Cask Strength has coincided with the induction of Margie Samuels into the Bourbon Hall Of Fame. Getting to taste the whiskey in it’s full powered un-cut version, like Margie and Bill would have when tasting it right out of the barrel is pretty awesome. The only thing better would be getting to taste it straight from the barrel in the warehouse itself.

In the marketing materials for it they say it’s like everything you love about Maker’s Mark but bolder and they’re completely correct, and completely wrong at the same time. Yes, it does taste like an amped up Maker’s Mark and all of those great flavors are there, but there’s more… much more. It’s deeper, it’s richer, rounder and more complex than the original. There are layers that don’t exist in the original and by slowly adding water you can peel back those layers and explore every inch of this whiskey and there’s definitely a lot to explore here.

Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Review

ABV: 56.6%
Age: 6ish yrs (aged till it’s ready)
Price: $40*
Distiller: Maker’s Mark
Mashbill: 70% corn, 16% soft red winter wheat & 14% malted barley

EYE
Rich caramel

NOSE
Bourbon spice, wood, caramel, ripe dark fruit and hints of citrus build up and mix with notes of toasted grains and vanilla. It’s a powerful and full nose that erupts with a splash of water. Baking spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and clove mix with rolling notes of butterscotch, rock candy and a lurking bit of peanut butter fudge.

TASTE
Caramel, toasted nuts, wood, citrus, dark fruit, toffee and molasses create a very appealing flavor that unfolds like reverse origami with a splash of water. Vanilla, corn, butter scotch, bruleed pastry, olde fashioned rock candy, cinnamon, nutmeg, white pepper, leather and toasted nuts nearly explode across the palate.

FINISH
Long and winding with notes of caramel, wood, citrus peel, raw grains, vanilla and corn that doesn’t change a whole lot with a splash of water.

BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Excellent balance of sweet, savory and earthy that’s perfectly complimented by a thick full body and a rich oily texture. For being 113.2 proof it has surprisingly little burn and is dangerously easy to drink.

OVERALL
I Love it. It’s the Maker’s Mark I want to drink everyday. It’s absolutely delightful at full strength and a dash of water causes it to explode and expose all the complex layers buried within this whiskey. The nose is full of powerful sweet, spicy and woody notes that translate well to the palate with the addition of some nutty notes and a nice pop of citrus. Cask strength + complex flavor and aroma = everything I want in a daily drinker.

SCORE: 92/100

*Disclosure: This was sent to me by the company for the purposes of this review. The opinions, views, notes and words are my own.

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