Maker's Mark The Lost Recipe Series Edition 2

( Reposted because.. much to my dismay I accidentally deleted this review while trying to modify it in the Distiller app ) Introduction: Many years ago, one of the first bottles of bourbon I ever bought myself was Maker’s Mark — and it’s been a staple for me ever since. I’ve collected every Wood Finishing Series release and every Cellar Aged bottle without missing a beat. So imagine my surprise walking through my favorite local bottle shop and spotting a bottle I’d never even heard of: the Maker’s Mark Lost Recipe Series. No website announcement. No social media posts. Nothing. Somehow, I completely missed Edition 1 and am only now catching up with Edition 2. This release comes in at 55.45% ABV (110 proof) and uses the Archived French Mocha Stave. With its profile and proof, this bottle looked promising — and I was eager to dive in. Nose: The dominant note is rich, dark, overripened cherry, supported by Maker’s signature vanilla. Dark chocolate naturally follows, matching the mocha stave. An earthy, herbaceous spice — closest to clove — adds depth. Deeper nosing reveals a sweet, dark “mocha latte” character: coffee, cream, mocha, and caramel drizzle. Sweet, layered, but not cloying. Taste: The palate opens luxuriously, like chocolate-covered cherries or dark, overripened cherries draped in creamy melted dark chocolate. It’s decadent and rich without becoming heavy. By mid-palate, vanilla enters smoothly, lifting the flavor and adding creaminess. Toward the back, the profile dries slightly with tannic oak and a hint of herbaceous, rye-like spice. The mocha stave reappears as bittersweet dark cocoa powder, contrasting the creamy chocolate from the front. Finish: The finish begins with a burst of tongue-tingling cinnamon — the first true baking spice note in the entire pour. Dark cocoa powder carries through strongly, supported by tannic oak and a faint leather note. As the finish fades, a final flash of bittersweet stewed cherry emerges — a perfect echo of the palate’s opening. Long, structured, and incredibly satisfying. Conclusion: This is one of the most memorable Maker’s Mark releases I’ve ever tasted — and easily one of the most compelling bourbons I’ve had in recent memory. It shows remarkable depth, complexity, and balance for its 110-proof point. Not as hot as any Maker’s cask strength release, but honestly, this proof feels perfect: full of character without overwhelming heat. If Edition 1 is anything like this, the Lost Recipe Series is going to be a must-follow line. If you see Edition 2 at retail, don’t hesitate. Buy it. You won’t regret it. It’s sweet, tannic, chocolate-laden, dark, layered, and beautifully composed — a standout bourbon well worth the money.

Color: Medium-deep amber Nose: Some distilleries I am able to identify from the nose. Not many, mind you, but a couple. Maker's Mark is one of them. Slight alcohol/ethanol; definitely getting those oak staves, and some caramel. Palate: (Drank with an ice cube) Somewhat syrupy mouth feel; Super-sweet and slightly spicy; warm chest hug; cocoa (as in cocoa mix powder); "slightly spicy" becomes legit "spicy" a few sips in. This is very "Maker's". I'm getting flashbacks to the FAE, BEP and BRTs — even reminiscent of the 46, if memory serves. This definitely drinks per its 111 proof. Finish: Medium with oak and the cocoa from the palate. Lingering spice. Slightly drying. Final Thoughts: I've heard some Bourbon reviewers, who I follow on YouTube, criticize Maker's for simply releasing "the same old thing" under different names. I can kind'a appreciate where they're coming from. There's nothing really unique about this one. But I am still going to give this 4.0 stars tonight. It's solid for the price (and looking back at my previous Maker's Mark bottle reviews, they've all scored in the 3.75 - 4.00 range). Joining Costco recently was both a blessing and a curse. The blessing is that I've been able to secure bottles — at SRP — that I've typically had to wait months after their release to acquire (at which time I'd generally be paying more than SRP). The curse is I'm buying more Bourbon than I should be :D. What I'm getting at is, at the price I paid, this is very good. But I would not pay more than that, now that I have had it.

Aroma is pungent and rich with caramel sauce, Concord grape jelly, cola, burnt sugars, molasses, maple, pancake batter, nutmeg, and sweet oak. Ethanol is completely absent. Palate offers matches the nose well with the edition of nutty toffee, baked apple, brown sugar, iced cinnamon bun, and cocoa powder. Flavors are punchy and decadent. Extremely long finish takes a turn with strong woody notes, black licorice, and as with most Makers products there’s some peppery heat but it’s mostly restrained here. Cherry cola note lingers and oak lingers after THAT. Mouthfeel is viscous and chewy. Makers has been doing the right things for a while now with their limited releases, and this is no exception; in fact it ranks up there with the best of them. Now let’s talk price; scored this at Total Wine for $74, and at that price it’s a freaking steal. Easily justifiable rebuy with the caveat of unless I had other Makers LE’s on hand as they do tend to taste pretty similar.

Nose presents the typical fruity MM profile, but more sour fruit punch than green apple I usually get. Also, getting chocolate. Not sweet. The palate is dark chocolate and a touch of cherry. Overall, dry. Fairly hot. Finish is a continuation of the chocolate, staying dry and astringent. I like this, but it's a bit one note. Would make a nice chocolate mint julep.

Has a nice sweetness, smooth finish. I hope they have some left at my Costco, I want to grab a backup bottle.

110. Hit but not too much. Vanilla. Baking spice and apple