Maker’s Mark’s oddly-named annual Wooden Ending Collection releases proceed with 2022’s BRT-01 and BRT-02, a pair of whiskeys designed to showcase the distinct variations generated by ageing on the high of the rickhouse vs. the comparably cool backside of the rickhouse. Whereas Maker’s Mark (and plenty of different distilleries) rotate barrels from high to backside over time to even issues out, these barrels are left in a single place for his or her complete ageing time. Particularly: “BRT-01 is impressed by the warmer high of the rickhouse and makes use of American oak staves to dial up the flavors developed over the primary three years of extraction. BRT-02 is impressed by the cooler backside of the rickhouse and makes use of French oak staves to dial up the flavors developed over its last years of response.”
So, it’s not simply warehouse location. There’s additionally some wooden differential in right here too (in any other case the “Wooden Ending Collection” wouldn’t be very well-named, wouldn’t it?)
We acquired samples of each whiskeys to style aspect by aspect. Prepared to provide them a attempt? Let’s dive in.
Each are bottled at cask power, 109.4 proof — which, truly, isn’t what one would anticipate given the warehouse location, as higher ground whiskeys are typically larger in abv. I believe these have truly been tempered with water to make their proofs similar.
Maker’s Mark BRT-01 2022 Restricted Launch – Extremely partaking on the nostril, with a direct darkish chocolate observe and plenty of vanilla. Big wooden affect, evoking apple wooden smoked bacon at occasions. Surprisingly fruity on the palate, with a slick layer of baking spice, heavy on the cloves. The whiskey will get a bit beefy in time, which is a typical expertise with high-rick bourbons, the end leaning on barely pruny fruit, coming throughout as gently oxidized, virtually Maderized, and backed up with purple pepper and cinnamon. Followers of huge boy, high-rick bourbons like George T. Stagg will discover loads of familiarity right here — although that is bottled at a way more approachable and manageable abv. B+ [BUY IT NOW FROM DRIZLY]
Maker’s Mark BRT-02 2022 Restricted Launch – It is a quiet whiskey, and it feels way more like one thing that you just’d anticipate to see out of Maker’s Mark than the rougher, harder BRT-01. There’s nonetheless some chocolate on the nostril, although right here it’s extra milk chocolate, virtually pudding-like, than darkish. Spherical and doughy, issues get a bit spicier on the palate, with notes of nutmeg and clove rising right here once more, and a darkish brown sugar character actually sweetening issues up over time. Whereas BRT-01 goes savory, BRT-02 goes distinctly candy, pushing a lighter berry-driven fruitiness and a few ginger-tinged Christmas spice notes on the end. A lot to my shock, I discovered myself drawn way more to BRT-02 than the high-rick expression. Enjoyable stuff. A- [BUY IT NOW FROM DRIZLY]
every $70 /makersmark.com
Maker’s Mark BRT-02 2022 Restricted Launch
$70
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