Maker’s Mark is one of Kentucky’s classic bourbons, and the brand and the Samuels are largely responsible for bourbon’s resurgence in the 80s and 90s. So, let’s have a (very) brief history review.
A Long History in Distilling
The Samuels family had a long history in distilling before Bill Sr. and Margie Samuels started Maker’s Mark. However, due to bad circ*mstances and bad luck, the original T.W. Samuels Distillery and brand were no longer in the Samuels family. Therefore, in 1953, when Bill Samuels, Sr. wanted to get back into distilling, he purchased Burks’ Distillery, which itself had quite the long history.
Time For A Better Bourbon
As the story goes, Bill Sr. was not at all a fan of his family bourbon and wanted to make something different; something softer, that he enjoyed drinking. He created his original mash bill by baking bread with the different recipes, and eventually arrived upon using red winter wheat as his flavoring grain. Ultimately, Maker’s Mark bourbon’s mash bill would be: 70% corn, 16% wheat and 14% malted barley.
👉Nose: Sweet cherry candy, vanilla, caramel, light honey sweetness; light cedar; notes of sweet apple cider in the back; alcohol noticeable but subdued 👉Taste: Black tea, vanilla, light honey sweetness, caramel & oak; cherry candy & apple, too 👉Finish: Fruit, caramel and vanilla continues into the moderately long finish; char and black peppery spice build; moderate burn.
Summary
Well, there is no question that Bill Sr. succeeded in his quest. Maker’s Mark is an easy to drink bourbon with classic bourbon flavors, but also a bright softer side with noticeable fruit. Those flavors carry through the entire sip, although some char and black pepper do add spiciness to the finish.
In Closing
To be completely honest, when I drink bourbon from Maker’s Mark, it is generally something from the Wood Finishing Series or one of their Private Selections. It’s not that I don’t enjoy the original version; I just prefer those. They have a little more proof and some deeper, richer flavors from the wood.
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Other well known wheated bourbons include the “Pappy” line of bourbons, the “Weller” line of bourbons, and Larceny. I enjoy Maker's Mark, giving the regular version a “Mid Shelf” rating and this batch of cask strength a “Top Shelf” rating.
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 smooth and balanced.
If you are out for a taste Beam is a great place to go if you are sincerely looking for a deeper look into the Bourbon whiskey making process then you will want to visit Makers Mark which is off of the beaten path.
This one changed the way we think of bourbon, all because one man changed the way he thought about making it. Bill Samuels, Sr., simply wanted a whisky 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.
Maker's Mark is owned by Beam Suntory, Inc. Maker's Mark dates back to 1958 but its history revolves around one family long, long before that. The Samuels family is indelibly weaved through out the brand's very being.
Jack has more flavor than Makers because there's no wheat in it. Wheated whiskies/whiskeys are milder than ones that don't have wheat in the mash bill, and Makers contains a lot of it. All whiskey or whisky contains malted barley because you need the enzymes in it to get the fermentation started.
Maker's Mark has developed a passionate following among bourbon drinkers. The brand created a backlash last year by saying it was cutting the amount of alcohol in each bottle to stretch its whiskey supplies. Producers quickly scrapped the idea.
Maker's Mark is a fine sipping whiskey. My previous statement only applies if you enjoy sipping Maker's Mark. Whiskey is about you. It's about what you like.
Maker's Mark is a small-batch bourbon whiskey produced in Kentucky by the Jim Beam-Suntory folks. Jack Daniels is a Tennessee Whiskey, not strictly a bourbon.
Woodford will suit someone who likes sweeter drinks. John preferred the Maker's Mark bourbon (glass 2). It is slightly spicier than the Woodford Reserve, with more vanilla, wood and cherry notes. This bourbon will suit someone who likes a bit of a spicy kick mixed with red fruit sweetness.
Top Shelf: Bottles on the highest shelves behind a bar. Though there's no hard rule as to cost, these tend to be bottles that would retail for $50 or more in a store. Mid Shelf: Bottles on the lower half of the shelf behind a bartender. With liquor, this would usually be bottles that fall in the $25–50 range.
Don't get me wrong, the flavors are still enjoyable and have some complexity, but there isn't that single attention-grabbing or noteworthy flavor to get it over the hump to “Top Shelf”.
Maker's Mark is a unique bourbon due to several factors: Mash Bill: Maker's Mark uses a mash bill of 70% corn, 16% red winter wheat, and 14% malted barley, which gives it a sweet, smooth and mellow flavor profile.
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Introduction: My name is Roderick King, I am a cute, splendid, excited, perfect, gentle, funny, vivacious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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