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KWM 2020 Whisky Calendar Day 8: Maker's Mark Bourbon

Posted on November 7, 2021

by Evan

Day Eight is here, so crack open that door on your 2020 KWM Whisky Calendar to reveal the Maker's Mark Bourbon Whisky.

Wait! You say, appalled. A BOURBON?!?

Yessiree, that is correct. Potentially due to my own malevolent and underhanded influence, the Maker's marks the second year in a row that we have had a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey in our whisky calendar. Blame me if you wish - I will just sit here smiling all smug-like and ramble on about one of my favourite types of Whisk(e)y.

For your edification, I should tell you that I did not start like this. Indeed, I was just a simple-minded Single Malt Scotch snob for many-a-year. I had tasted the stuff here and there - I even enjoyed a bottle of Eagle Rare. But I wasn't one of them, who shared a false belief that Bourbon can be just as good as Scotch Whisky - though in different ways.

It was actually KWM Alumni and fellow unabashed Bourbon Lover Hunter that infected me - made me see the light I should say. Then Andrew and I travelled to Kentucky - a few years back - before the time of Covid.

After that trip came back a changed man. Now I cannot help but kneel down and kiss the foot of the great statue of Jim Beam, extol the virtues of heavily charred virgin oak, and preach the gospel that is the Bottled in Bond act of 1897. Perhaps when we tear through the red wax on the neck of this bottle of Maker's Mark Bourbon and give it a taste it will make a believer out of you as well?

Maker's Mark has always done things a little different than your standard bourbon. Below the iconic red wax seal dripping down the neck on the label itself, you will notice it proclaims to be a "Whisky" without the standard "e" added on most American fare. Maker's also is made with Red Winter Wheat as the second most prominent grain in the mash behind corn, instead of the more common rye grain that you see in a majority of Bourbon Whiskey.

Maker's Mark has been bottled since 1959 – though this distillery was built in 1889. Before being sold to Bill Samuels Sr. and becoming Maker's Mark Distillery it was called Burks Distillery. Bill Samuel Sr.'s wife Margie Samuels named the whiskey, created the label and came up with the idea for dipping the neck of the bottle in red wax. For years, the Bourbon we are trying today was the only whisky that the distillery made. That has changed over time, with special labels sold only in Japan and the introduction of Maker's Mark 46 in 2010, plus a cask strength version now made. Perhaps the 46 is worth a go at another time - for now let's dive try out the flagship bottling of Maker's Mark.

Maker's Mark Bourbon - 45%

50ml Mini bottles can be found here / 375ml half bottles can be found here

Made from a mash of corn, wheat and malted barley. Aged between 7 to 9 years in heavily charred virgin oak before being bottled at 45%.

Evan's Tasting Note

Nose: Sweet corn, vanilla, Mackintosh's Toffee, beer nuts, brown sugar, cedar planks, fresh sourdough bread, french toast, banana chips and dried cherries.

Palate: Waffles and syrup, sweet and bitter corn notes, peach marmalade, vanilla again, Double Bubble bubble gum, cinnamon sticks, banana creme pie and a touch of candied ginger.

Finish: Warming and slightly drying with lingering sweetness and wood notes.

Comment: This isn't an iconic bottle of Bourbon without reason - it is a solid whisky that works straight or in cocktails.

Day Eight definitely gave us a little diversion, and perhaps forced us all to do a little bit of soul searching. Will Day Nine lead us back to the promised land? Fear not what is behind the next door, for wherever it hails from it shall still be whisk(e)y!

Cheers,
Evan
evan@kensingtonwinemarket.com
Twitter and Instagram: @sagelikefool