Whiskey Review #27: Maker's Mark Cask Strength
Category: Boutique (based on price)
Price: $80
Availability- Year Round/full distribution
Proof: 111.6- 55.8% ABV
Age: No age statement
Mashbill: Wheated
Distillery: Maker's Mark, Loretto, Kentucky
Overall: Put simply, this is just a hotter version of the standard product. Because it's uncut, you get slightly more flavor, when compared to the original. As far as I know, it's still charcoal filtered (as all Maker's bourbons are), so, you're getting a very similar mouth-feel, to the original.
Flavor notes included: Sweet french toast, maple, brown sugar, vanilla, caramel, mid palate burst of alcohol. The finish tappers off gradually and evenly, leaving you with traces of the opening notes. I would categorize this one as a sweet/hot bourbon with a moderate mouth feel and finish.
I would say that Maker's C.S. is actually very similar to the Old Fitz BIB for the following reasons. 1. Both are wheated bourbons. 2. The proof is in the same ballpark range. 3. Both are young (I would estimate in the 3-6 year range). Maker's C.S. offers better overall quality compared to Old Fitz BIB, but the price difference will be a deal breaker for most folks, myself included!! Maker's C.S. hovers around $80 (750mm), while Old Fitz BIB is $19 (one liter). Here lies in the question; Is the slight bump in quality of Makers C.S. worth the extra $60 bucks? I would say absolutely not! But that's just my opinion.
Personally, I would much rather see an older version of Maker's, rather than a hotter version. Give me a 12-15 year old Maker's any day over this expression. Now I know that "age aint nothin' but a number", but I think it's safe to say, that in most cases, wheated bourbons age very nicely (If quality parameters are maintained). The Colonels score is a 6 out of 10.
Maker's Mark Cask Strength from Graham Sparkman on Vimeo.
If you would like to read about my first encounter with bourbon, click on the following link:
http://straightfromkentucky.blogspot.com/2013/01/we-boys.html
