Maker’s Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky
Specs
ABV: 45%
Age: NAS but minimum 4 years
Recipe: 70% corn, 16% red winter wheat, 14% malted barley
Distiller: Maker’s Mark
Country/Region: USA/Kentucky
Price Paid (MSRP): $24 ($25)
Tasting Notes
Nose: Very sweet with caramel, honey, vanilla and some fruit. There’s a bit of an artificial crayon note and more ethanol than I’d expect for 90 proof.
Palate: Thin to medium mouth feel, pleasant, more honey, vanilla, maple, cinnamon spice, and mild oak.
Finish: Short length, cinnamon spice, a little heat, and maple sugar.
Rating: 56/100 – Average | Solid, ordinary
A solid but unremarkable bourbon. Massive marketing budget aside, Maker’s is popular because it’s sweet and inoffensive, while still hitting the classic bourbon notes. You can drink it neat or in a Mint Julep on Derby Day without worrying about your wallet. It performs well enough against other entry level wheated bourbons, but does still suffer from the same excess heat and artificial notes that plague young wheaters. If you want a true value bourbon I would look elsewhere, but if you’re a wheat fan looking for readily available alternatives to Larceny or Weller Special Reserve, I’d say give Maker’s a shot.