Maker's Mark 101

Color is a clear Pantone 138. Pleasant nose shows orange oil, sweet corn pudding, roasted marshmallow, a touch of peanut brittle, and rosin. The palate is not viscous, but does leave a mark (pun intended) with some oak and a nice cinnamon spice on the back end, both of which continue on the shortish finish. Maker’s Mark, a wheated bourbon, has been getting better and better over the years. First, the distillery introduced Maker’s 46, which has a slightly higher proof and uses additional wood staves for flavor. This was the genesis of their wood-finishing series, with numerous private-barrel selections as well as the limited-release versions over the past three years: the FAE, BRP, and BEP series, and then its Cellar Aged bourbon this year. I’ve had the first three, as well as some of the private-barrel selections, and loved them all. A good friend has the extremely-difficult-to-get Cellar Aged bottle (my entire state only received 12 bottles total), and it’s been getting rave reviews. I’m sure I’ll like that as well—assuming he lets me! Maker’s entry-level offering is 90 proof; Maker’s 46 is 94 proof, and the Cask Strength is usually in the 110-115 proof range. The 101 is, of course, 101 proof, which many consider a sweet spot. While the 46 uses extra wood staves, the 101 is simply the 90-proof bottled at 101 proof. But what a difference the extra proof makes! This offering can be found for $40; and while the 101 proof would be nice for a Manhattan or Old Fashioned (I actually like higher proof bourbons for cocktails), this one is a fantastic daily sipper when poured neat. It’s not terribly complex, but it’s very good: sweet with a nice Kentucky hug, and no woody tannins or bitterness. Careful with this one; it goes down easy. Would I buy it again? Yes. Very good value. 4.0 on the Distiller scale, considering the value aspect. 101 proof. No age statement. N.B.: All spirits tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

Tasting neat. Nice box packaging (dark red and cream lettering), and gold lettering sprayed on the standard MM bottle (might deserve better). Whisky is dark copper with modest coating legs in the glass. Nose is dry peanut shells and apricot, burnt sugar, and vanilla oak, slightly tannic. Burnt sugar, cherry, vanilla, and some tannic oak in the mouth. Savory, soft wheated whisky, but lacks a strong coating mouthfeel. Cherry fruit flavor (headed to cough syrup) grows in the finish along with lightly acrid burnt oak tannic flavor and a modest ethanol bloom for the 101 proof. Some pepper and baking spice, but that's definately background and muddled. Finish is thin feeling and rather short. And lightly acrid. An ice cube softens the burnt and acrid toward a softer sweeter fruitier taste, and shortens a short finish. Well, I expected a lot more given the Distiller Pro's review and high rating. Or my taster is just way off tonight. So I'm going to revisit this in a day or two. MM 101 shares a similar profile with the regular MM at 90 proof, and is an interesting tasting bridge of sorts to the MM Cask Strength at 113 proof ($55). The 101 is good--nothing wrong with any of their wheated and wooded whiskys of late--and at this higher proof it will make a better mixer in my Manhattan. But... a 94? And at $40? Nah.

Color: Medium rusty amber. Nose: Sweet with caramel and oak. Palate: The sweetness of caramel and the oak carries over from the nose. Syrupy mouth feel. Tingly tongue and a nice mild chest hug. I want to say it's spicy, but it's not really. Whereas I've had Wheaters in the past that have left me thinking, "Huh?", the wheatiness really stands out with this one. Finish: Medium. Buttery with what I detect as apples. Yum. I've had Maker's flagship, 46, and some FAEs, BRTs and BEPs. I've enjoyed each of them very much. But I think this 101 has just moved ahead of the pack, and I'd buy this again before I revist any of the others — and not just because it's more readily available than the aforementioned Limited Editions.

It's sweet, vanilla and caramel toffee on the palate. Easy and delicious to drink neat. I don't love the fact it has a twist off cap vs a cork. For a limited release printed on the bottle I found this choice poor. Makers makes a quality bourbon and the higher proof makes this drink far superior to the standard but I have to say for the makers brand if you are going to spend the money on this bottle, if you can find the cask strength, that is the better choice for the added price.

Sweet but spicy nose. Burnt orange. Vanilla. Slight saltiness and caramel. The palate starts with some bright fruit notes. Green apple and orange. Then it goes into some dark flavor notes. Dark caramel, almost bordering on black licorice. A bit of smoke in the background with the oak. The extra proof really adds some extra dimension to an already good bottle. Nice finish. Slightly dry with some burn. A great purchase for 40 dollars if you can find it.

Vanilla, cherry and caramel are the dominant notes I get on the nose. Also some underlying hints of cinnamon and raisin. Notes of vanilla and caramel on the nose are present in the initial sip. Bitter notes of dark chocolate and an oakiness appear on the mid-palate. Finish has a pepper note and slight amount of heat that lasts for a short period of time.