Last year, I shared my initial experience with blind tasting, where I sampled three bourbons from the Maker’s Mark Private Selection series, provided by a friend. Although I knew they were all Maker's Mark, the samples were numbered and came with a sealed envelope containing the key to their identities, adding an element of surprise. If you didn’t catch that post, you can read it here:
Recently, that same friend contacted me with an offer to try four additional stave-finished bourbons from Maker's Mark. Naturally, I jumped at the chance. I organized the tasting using a beautifully crafted board made & gifted by another friend. Here’s how it unfolded:
Appearance
All four samples exhibited a clear amber hue.
Nose
Sample 1 revealed enticing notes of caramel, chocolate-covered cherries, and nutmeg. Sample 2 was subtler, showcasing vanilla with a touch of peanuts and cocoa. Sample 3 presented a delightful blend of cherries, chocolate, and caramel. Lastly, Sample 4 emitted a faint leather aroma, intertwined with chocolate, caramel, and a hint of cinnamon.
Palate
Sample 1 offered a rich, oily texture with flavors of Snickers bar and a dry oakiness. Sample 2 had a creamy mouthfeel, dominated by sweet, vanilla flavors, accented by chocolate-covered peanuts and a slight kick of black pepper at the finish. Sample 3 was lighter in body, beginning with caramel & chocolate and culminating in a burst of peanuts and cherry. Sample 4 delivered a combination of sweet caramel and peanuts, rounded out with a touch of dark chocolate.
Finish
Sample 1 concluded with a long finish of roasted nuts and dusty oak. Sample 2 followed with a medium finish of peanuts and pepper. Sample 3 also had a medium nutty finish. Sample 4 finished long, with a lingering hint of bitter chocolate.
Conclusions
After rating each sample, I opened the envelope to reveal their identities:
Sample 1: Maker's Mark Private Selection, Cheers to Chocolate / Spice Notes, Fry's Pick Winter 2023, Stave Profile: 0/2/2/5/1, Proof 106.7
Sample 2: Maker's Mark Private Selection, Straight Kentuckery, Stave Profile: 1/2/0/1/6, Proof 111.4
Sample 3: Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series, The Heart Release 2024, (10 Virgin Toasted French Oak Staves), Proof 112
Sample 4: Maker's Mark, The Lost Recipe Series, Edition 01, 2024 Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Stave Profile: 1/3/0/6/0, Proof 111.9
Selecting a favorite among these Maker’s Mark bourbons with their distinct stave profiles proved to be a challenging yet rewarding endeavor. Each profile imparted unique flavors due to the varied combinations of staves. Ultimately, I ranked them 2, 1, 3, 4; pleasantly surprised that Sample 2 emerged as my top choice, despite the challenge I faced in identifying its aromas.
Overall, it was another fantastic tasting adventure! A big thank you to my friend for providing me with the opportunity to explore more Maker’s Mark stave-finished bourbons!
Note on Stave Profiles
Baked American Pure or Pure 2: Sweet honey, vanilla, soft oak
Seared French Cuvee: Enhances texture/mouthfeel, caramel, molasses, long finish
Maker's Mark 46: Rich hints of dark fruit, baking spices, long finish
Roasted French Mendiant (Mocha): Hints of tobacco, cocoa, leather
Toasted French Spice: Crisp sweet ripe fruit, zesty baking spices
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