Place On The Whiskey Shelf
Ive had Makers Mark numerous times over the years, but never paid much attention to it before. Im pleasantly surprised to say that I like this. Its not outstanding, but its still a very solid option if youre looking for something thats easier to drink neat. It has a nice combination of sweetness, citrus, malt, wood, and alcohol that are not too intense or challenging.
My issue is that its too mellow, but thats why there is the cask strength version. If youre like me and want more flavor, buy the cask strength version instead. Regardless, I think a lot of people will like the regular version too.
Makers Mark To Stop Watering Down Its Whiskey
After backlash from customers, the producer of Makers Mark bourbon is reversing a decision to cut the amount of alcohol in bottles of its famous whiskey.
Rob Samuels, Makers Marks chief operating officer, said Sunday that it is restoring the alcohol volume of its product to its historic level of 45 percent, or 90 proof. Last week, it said it was lowering the amount to 42 percent, or 84 proof, because of a supply shortage.
Weve been tremendously humbled over the last week or so, Samuels, grandson of the brands founder, said of customers reactions.
The brand known for its square bottles sealed in red wax has struggled to keep up with demand. Distribution has been squeezed, and the brand had to curtail shipments to some overseas markets.
In a tweet Sunday, the company said to its followers: You spoke. We listened.
The change in recipe started with a shortage of the bourbon amid an ongoing expansion of the companys operations that cost tens of millions of dollars.
Makers Mark President Bill Samuels, the founders son, said the company focused almost exclusively on not altering the taste of the bourbon while stretching the available product and didnt consider the emotional attachment that customers have to the brand and its composition.
Our focus was on the supply problem. That led to us focusing on a solution, he said. We got it totally wrong.
When production restarts Monday, those plans are off the table, Bill Samuels said.
Making Process Of Markers Mark 46 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Just like traditional Makers Mark expressions, the Makers Mark 46 starts out as a wheat bourbon which is then emptied from its barrel to add in 10 more seared French oak staves. The whisky is returned to the barrels and aged for around nine more weeks. After trying out a dozen of wood staves that were cut and processed in a number of different ways, Bill Samuels Jr. finalized on the flavour that the French oak imparted. This wooden stave was saved on file as Stave Profile No. 46, thus giving the new drink its name. Any longer and the drink would turn bitter and absorb the flavour of the wood, a usual effect of additional aging. These staves amp up the flavour of the bourbon, distinguishing it from its predecessor.
These barrels are stored in a limestone cellar to maintain a cool temperature throughout the ageing process. Higher temperatures cause the wooden barrels to expand and release bitter tannins.
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Makers Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky
Makers Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky- This one changed the way we think of bourbon, all because one man changed the way he thought about making it. Bill Samuels, simply wanted a whiskey he would enjoy drinking. Never bitter or sharp, Maker’s Mark is made with soft red winter wheat, instead of the usual rye, for a one-of-a-kind, full-flavored bourbon that’s easy to drink. To ensure consistency, we rotate every barrel by hand and age our bourbon to taste, not time. Each and every bottle of Maker’s is still hand-dipped in our signature red wax at our distillery in Loretto, Kentucky just like Bill would have wanted.
Why The Pros Like Each
Richardson sees value in both brands flagship expressions and admits that picking a clear winner is a difficult task. These are some of the first bottles that I reach for when a guest tells me that theyre new to bourbon and ask what they should try. On the other hand, both are going to be bourbons that whiskey enthusiasts wont ever turn down, he says. Both distilleries have had a huge impact on the explosive growth of bourbon weve seen in the last 10 to 15 years. Whether in your favorite cocktail, over ice, or neat, you cant go wrong with either of these two.
For Eric Vanderveen, bartender at The Empire in Louisville, Colo., the choice is easier. While I enjoy both of these bourbons very much and both are high-quality products, Woodford tends to be my go-to for taste and value, he says. Nice heat, well-balanced, and delicious. Comparable to much higher-priced bourbons.
And as Dill-Dascoli notes, it all comes down to personal taste. Makers Mark was one of the first of this generation of premium bourbons, he says. It has become synonymous with approachable, delicious, modern bourbon. The intention behind Woodford was to make a broad-based whiskey that appealed to many different styles of drinkers. It is designed to be a premium workhorse a delicious addition to any occasion. He adds, Both have mass appeal and ardent fans, both have premium versions, and both have histories of being important whiskey companies and important brands.
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Its Spelled Whisky But Not To Annoy You
The whiskey/whisky spelling debate is over, right? Because weve all moved on, and those of us who havent are probably dance-battling it out behind a liquor store somewhere. But just to clarify, Makers Mark for the simple reason that Rob Samuels, who settled in what would later become the state of Kentucky in 1780 and was the first of now eight generations of Samuels family distillers, was Scots Irish. And in Scotland, they spell it whisky.
The Fascinating Story Of Makers Mark Whisky
Yeah, not quite the glowing endorsement youd expect from like, an actual family member. Admittedly, he was referring to the family whisky prior to its total reinvention, spearheaded by Bill Samuels Sr. But apparently, awful was exactly how the whisky tasted. And not just one batch, either. It had tasted bad for centuries.
So, although the Samuels family had been making and serving terrible whisky since 1783, the stuff was best avoided until Bill Samuels Sr stormed onto the scene in the 1950s.
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All Of The Best Whiskey To Drink In 2022
From the simple combination of grain, water, and yeast, distillers yield a stunningly complex array of spirits. Were talking, of course, about the world of whiskey. And it is a veritable planet, with single nations producing myriad styles, and distillers planting flags in each of the metaphorical corners of the globe.
While its hard, if not impossible, to reduce each style and nation down to one definitive example, certain bottles serve as shining ambassadors for their categories. Catering to every budget, palate, and drinking occasion, here are 15 of the best whiskeys to drink in 2022.
The Worlds Best Whiskey
A Makers Mark History
Makers Mark came to be in 1953 when Bill Samuels, Jr. and Margie Samuels, a dynamic duo in the history of Bourbon whiskey, embarked on a journey to recreate his familys 170-year-old whiskey recipe and market it in a way that had never before been done. Bill was a fourth generation distiller and Margie had a knack for marketing. Together they became unstoppable.
Once the recipe was destroyed, Bill needed to innovate in order to save time. He didnt have time to experiment with grain mash bills, different recipes that would ferment, distill, and age over the next few years. He needed to settle on a mash bill soon, so he decided to experiment with baking bread. He used a plethora of different mixtures of grain, baked them, and tasted them, imagining them as whiskey.
One thing Bill was committed to was the reinvention of the traditional rye plus 51% corn mash bill that came standard in Bourbon. He wasnt fond of the spicy taste of rye and wanted to create a Bourbon that went down smoother. And as he baked bread after bread using different grains in different proportions, he settled on the addition of winter wheat into his mash bill, replacing rye and creating a Bourbon mash that held a delicate sweetness: the very quality that has propelled Makers Mark to the level of fame it now enjoys.
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Which Type Of Makers Mark Is Best
This is like asking which type of pizza is best: theyre all amazing, for different reasons. For newer bourbon drinkers, we would recommend Makers Mark original. Its smooth and classic and a great introduction to the world of whiskey. For those who have been drinking Makers Mark for a while and want to try something unique, go for Makers Mark 46. Its bolder and more complex, perfect for an experienced bourbon drinker.
For mixing into cocktails, wed recommend Makers Mark Cask Strength. Its a stronger bourbon with more amped-up flavor notes that can stand up to various mixers. A classic Whiskey Sour made with 46 is an incredible cocktail. Finally, if youre in the mood for something new, grab the Makers Mark Wood Finishing Series 2021 Limited Release. It offers amplified notes of dried fruit that you may miss in a normal bourbon. However, its only available for a short time, so be sure to try it while its around.
Bourbon House & Lounge
Maker’s Mark began creating branded restaurants with the October 2004 opening of Maker’s Mark Bourbon House & Lounge in the Fourth Street Live! entertainment complex in DowntownLouisville, Kentucky. In addition to serving Maker’s Mark it features bourbons from each of Kentucky‘s distilleries. The menu was designed by Chef Al Paris of the former jazz club Zanzibar Blue restaurant in Philadelphia.
A second such establishment opened in Kansas City, Missouri‘s downtown Power & Light District in 2008, and a third at the Indiana Live Casino in Shelbyville, Indiana just outside Indianapolis in March, 2009.
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Whiskey Review: Makers Mark Straight Kentucky Bourbon
Theres one sure fire way to know my wifes grandfather has been in the room: an open bottle of Makers Mark placed somewhere within arms reach of the comfiest chair. Not gunna lie, I kinda want his life. Makers Mark has positioned itself as a premium whiskey brand meaning that in my formative years I always considered it to be too far outside my price range for consideration, but with that well-traveled mans endorsement, I decided that it was worth a try.
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Best Peated Scotch: Kilchoman Distillery Machir Bay Islay Single Malt Whisky
A sweet and savory blend of caramel and grill char, this peated single malt was practically made for barbecue pairings. Expect mesquite aromas followed by some welcome buttery and caramel sweetness on the palate for balance. This will surely be the star of your next cookout.
Average price: $66
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All About Makers Mark
Perhaps the most prominent feature about Makers Mark bourbon is the wax that envelops its top. Whether its red or green, you know its a bottle of Makers when it has that wax wrapped around it. But theres much more to Makers Mark bourbon than just some wax.
To begin, lets take a look at where and when Makers Mark originated.
Makers Mark 101 Proof Review
Once only available if you knew a guy, this dram with the well-worn ABV is now available to the general market: Makers Mark 101 Proof. Sitting in a comfy spot between the standard Makers and the Makers Cask Strength, this could be seen as a middle ground or a stepping stone between the two. Almost perfectly so.
The standard Makers Mark clocks in at 90 proof and the Makers Cask Strength hovers around the 112 proof mark. 90 to 101 is an 11 proof step and 101 to 112 is another 11 proof step. The CS does shift up and down a wee bit, but generally, it comes in close to 56%.
Whether this is just a happy accident or specifically designed, I cant say. What I can say though, is if youre looking for a way to see how proof plays into a whiskey release you and some friends can pick up this, the CS and the regular MM and conduct a boozy experiment. Or, if youre down for doing some math, you could just grab a bottle of the CS and water down to 101 and 90.
Thats enough experiment talk, lets get to drinkin and settle into this bourbon review.
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Does Makers Mark Increase In Value
According to the statistics, the quest for American whiskey is on the rise. Between 2016 and 2020, the price of a 750-milliliter bottle of bourbon, Tennessee whiskey, or rye increased by $3.49, according to International Wine & Spirit Research data, an increase of 9 percent. Makers Mark increase in value is one of the most recent enigmas to shake the liquor market. So, there is an absolute certainty that the demand for premium and super-premium American whiskey will continue increasing for at least another 10 years.
Makers Mark Cask Strength
Average Price:$70
The Whisky:
This wheated bourbon is a small-batch masterpiece. The juice is a blend of up to 19 barrels from the Makers warehouses. The whiskies are hand-selected according to distinct flavor characteristics to build a masterful end product. Once the whisky is married, it goes into the bottle at cask strength, unfiltered, and ready to drink.
Tasting Notes:
Theres a clear sense of bourbon vanilla on the nose with touches of burnt caramel, charred oak, and a hint of dry bales of straw. The taste brings about a spicy tobacco chewiness thats cut with more vanilla and hints of dried apricot. The end is slow, leaves your tongue buzzing with tobacco and spice, and has a mellow vanilla roundness.
Bottom Line:
This is the only whisky on the list where youll find slight variation in the ABVs but not really in the taste. The one drawback here is actually the lack of water. Bear with me. Makers has this beautiful, soft rainwater minerality that makes it incredibly drinkable. Thats missing in this expression. Thats not to say this is somehow undrinkable. This is delicious. Its just that its not distinctly Makers.
It feels more like a cask strength bourbon of which there are already plenty on the market to choose from.
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Makers Mark Straight Bourbon
Tasting Note zu dem Makerâs Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky:NASE: Sauber und klar mit Vanille, Gewürzen und einer zarten floralen Note, die mit leichten Kalk und Kakao Bohnen erscheint. GESCHMACK: In seinem Geschmacksprofil ist der Makerâs Mark Bourbon sehr vielschichtig. Es zeigt sich eine frische Fruchtnote, die mit Gewürzen und Eukalyptus am Gaumen sich breit macht. In der ganzen Struktur sehr gefällig und mit einer schönen Eichen Note, die mit einer Spur von Rauch auffällig erscheint.FINISH: Mittlere Länge, mit einer würzigen Komponente, die leicht süÃlich abklingt.
Die offizielle Tasting Note von Beam Suntory über den Maker´s Mark Bourbon Whisky:
FARBE: Die dunkle Bernsteinfarbe mit einem rötlichen Schein lässt schon etwas von der kraftvollen Milde dieses auÃergewöhnlichen Kentucky Bourbons erahnen.
DUFT: Kraftvoller Honig mit exotischen Früchten, Vanille und Karamell erfüllen die Nase. Im Hintergrund ein Hauch Kakao und florale Noten. Erst später bemerkt man auch die Würze.
GESCHMACK: Hier bestimmt der Charakter von Nüssen mit Toffee und Gebäck den Eindruck. Gefolgt von frischen Früchten und einer angenehmen, lang anhaltenden, sanften Ãligkeit.
NACHKLANG: Bestimmt von Früchten und Karamelltönen, denen zum Abschluss sehr spät eine angenehm milde Rauchnote des Holzes folgt.
- Post category:Bourbon
Alternatives To Makers Mark Bourbon Whiskey
- Jim Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey- $19: Jim Beam is the oldest brand of Bourbon there is, and the flavor is emblematic of Bourbon itself. In fact, most of the requirements around Bourbon today are founded upon this recipe, so its a great introduction into the style of Bourbon.
- 1792 Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey- $35: This one will put hair on your chest. In contrast to the winter wheat utilized in Makers Mark, this Bourbon uses mostly rye besides the 51% corn required in a Bourbon mash. So its spicy, sour, and hot.
- Buffalo Trace Bourbon Whiskey $42: Buffalo Trace has been in production, using the same recipe, for 200 years. It tastes rugged as an homage to the buffalo trails that paved the way for settlers to find the first Wild West: Kentucky.
- Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Bourbon Whiskey- $60: This bourbon, like Makers Mark, is smooth and supple. But what makes Woodford Reserve so unique is that its aged twice, each time in a separate charred oak barrel. This extracts extra soft, sweet oak flavors.
- Blantons Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey- $250: If youve tried some of these other Bourbons and have found yourself to be a real fan of the style, dont pass up a pour of Blantons when you get the chance. Its rare, carefully crafted, and straight from single barrels.
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Makers Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky 90 Proof Replica Bottle
- The original handmade premium bourbon.
- Soft red winter wheat makes our whisky full flavored, yet remarkably easy to drink.
- Remarkably smooth and balanced, with notes of caramel and vanilla and a front-of-palate finish.
- Made slowly in small batches at our historic distillery in Loretto, Kentucky
- Each bottle is hand dipped in our signature red wax.
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky