A sure kind of assessment can sink below the load of its personal ambition, typically even earlier than it’s written. In the present day’s piece was nearly such a casualty earlier than I discovered a method to overcome inertia and provides it some momentum.
I am a batch hound as a lot by necessity as by inclination. The will to “gather the entire set” was lodged deep in my mind by the reverse facet of 1980’s and 1990’s motion determine packaging. Over years of amassing varied forms of issues (motion figures gave method to postage stamps and baseball playing cards, which yielded to books, which gave method to whisky), I’ve developed some guidelines of thumb.
Certainly one of these guidelines was {that a} slender focus is preferable to a broad-brush strategy. Most of us lack the monetary sources to gather even one kind of factor effectively, a lot much less many numerous issues. This focus additionally permits a connoisseurship to develop; taking a look at comparable issues repeatedly with a watch for element looking for out minute variations is an efficient manner to assist construct experience.
Additionally, amassing one thing extensively obtainable and relatively low cost is at all times useful; matchbooks are simpler to search out and extra reasonably priced than Fabergé eggs. Most of all: amassing one thing you get pleasure from for its intrinsic qualities – slightly than amassing for the fun of the chase or the potential monetary achieve – is the important thing to long-term satisfaction.
What, then, could be the implication of making use of these guidelines to whisky? A maximally centered strategy would demand amassing a single expression from a single distillery. The eye then shifts to discovering similarities and teasing out variations between years or batches or different variations. Conforming to the second rule, this whisky must be a sort that may be simply obtained with out undue exertion or extreme expense.
That, your honour, is how I ended up with a baker’s dozen bottles of Maker’s Mark Cask Power in my basement.
I’ve waxed obsessed with Maker’s Mark Cask Power since my first run-in with batch 20-02. Since then, I seen that bottles had been extensively obtainable at shops in my space. Typically, I might catch a glimpse of one of many old-style labels, which bought me considering: what number of separate batches would possibly I have the ability to assemble if I searched assiduously?
Slightly greater than a yr later, and I’ve a set of fourteen batches going all the best way again to 15-01. They’re not all there in sequence, however I really feel like this at the very least offers me a consultant pattern of how the expression might need modified through the years… or not.
In spite of everything, Maker’s Mark’s guideline is consistency, which has endeared them to followers looking for a uniform expertise. In a world the place even mainstay expressions disappear from retailer cabinets, it’s a terrific consolation to bourbon lovers to be assured that we’ll at all times have the ability to discover Maker’s, and it’ll at all times be above common.
With that disclaimer out of the best way, I’m prepared to select nits. As talked about earlier than, repeated publicity to variations on a theme can practice the palate to be extra discerning. An off-the-cuff drinker may not understand the variations in aroma and taste to be as excessive as I’ll, thus my notes and scores ought to most likely be adjusted for this train in pedantry. I’ll even be utilizing the present value of $40 for my analysis. Right here we go!
Maker’s Mark Cask Power Batch 15-01 – Assessment
111.3 proof (55.65% ABV)
Colour: Medium-dark brownish orange.
On the nostril: Very centered and intense to begin, this has a strong aroma of orange marmalade with an natural accent of eucalyptus. A while within the glass reveals a buttery, baked aroma of recent croissants, in addition to a pert, inexperienced word of mint sprigs. Cherry laborious candies and a dried word of firewood seem after some time. That is numerous and fascinating; I ponder if that may carry by on the palate?
Within the mouth: Beginning with a skinny texture and a few muted woody flavors, this rounds out only a bit extra because it strikes towards the center of the mouth. There, I get a really extracted word of brandied cherry, in addition to some sizzling and tannic woody notes that emerge because the ABV makes itself felt. There’s an nearly effervescent sweetness to this within the method of cherry cola because it passes the center of the tongue and progresses into the end. There, the resinous taste of pine meets some natural notes (eucalyptus, once more) with touches of paprika and pink pepper. These spicy notes cowl the roof of the mouth, whereas the lips and gums tingle with taste harking back to Massive Pink chewing gum.
Conclusions:
One of many higher batches I can recall tasting. The one actual weak point of that is the considerably understated entrance on the mouth; all the pieces else is lots partaking. This isn’t as plump and as full-bodied as a few of its siblings on this vary, but it surely makes up for that by the clear delineation of every fragrant and taste element, which current themselves with a confident depth. The web result’s extraordinarily good, particularly for the value.
Rating: 8/10
Maker’s Mark Cask Power Batch 17-01 – Assessment
110.9 proof (55.45% ABV)
Colour: Medium pale golden yellow.
On the nostril: This smells like the typical of all of the Maker’s Mark I’ve ever tried. It’s bought pink fruit within the type of tart cherries, an fragrant woodiness of eucalyptus, and a few spicy notes of paprika and white pepper. As I sniff this longer, a confectionery scent of angel meals birthday cake with vanilla frosting turns into noticeable. In complete this leans towards the sweeter facet, however there are sufficient notes from the opposite components of the flavour wheel to forestall this from dropping its steadiness.
Within the mouth: The cherry word is as soon as once more entrance and heart, however this time in a riper, extra luscious kind. It nearly takes on the stick sweetness of brandied cherry. There’s a bit extra astringent, spicy wooden right here that propels the whisky up the tongue and towards the center of the mouth. There, a drying stone word meets a peppery warmth harking back to the tingly burn of jalapeños. That candy cake word comes again once more for an prompt as this strikes into the end, which fades comparatively shortly bar some extra tannic astringency from the wooden.
Conclusions:
That is quintessential Maker’s in its profile. That’s not a nasty factor, however don’t count on any loopy off-profile notes from this batch. Concerning the zaniest it will get is that this leans closely towards the sweeter flavors although, once more, not in a manner that makes this diverge considerably from the imply. It’s good, so I’m giving it a very good rating.
Rating: 6/10
Maker’s Mark Cask Power Batch 17-02 – Assessment
110.7 proof (55.35% ABV)
Colour: A considerably boring medium orangey-brown.
On the nostril: Very brilliant, candy, fruity, floral aromas make a cheery first impression. This smells very recent, harking back to a springtime stroll by a dew-dampened meadow. Some extra richly candy aromas of caramel and taffy ultimately work their manner in right here, as effectively an uncanny word of clove cigarette, however principally the nostril stays anchored on that gentle, nearly ethereal sweetness.
Within the mouth: Begins considerably nondescript, with a weak entrance devoid of a lot taste. There’s a momentary nuttiness at midpalate earlier than this turns towards a extra intense model of that caramel word from the nostril, accented by a tart woodiness that turns into barely bitter as this whisky strikes towards the end. The bourbon then pivots to a stern stoniness that imparts a drying sensation to the again of the mouth. This lingers with a tingly warmth and a not-very-pleasant aftertaste, as soon as once more evoking these sharply woody notes.
Conclusions:
This held lots of promise on the nostril, however the palate went in a unique route completely. I really feel like this bought worse because it went on, ending in an overdose of sharp, astringent wooden that marred the general impact. I’m deducting some extent from common to account for this.
Rating: 4/10
Maker’s Mark Cask Power Batch 19-01 – Assessment
108.8 proof (54.4% ABV)
Colour: Medium-light golden orange.
On the nostril: A really un-Maker’s nostril – not in a nasty manner – with an instantaneous, dense word of butterscotch and sticky candy maple syrup. Slightly time lets this broaden out a bit, however by no means in a manner that returns to a recognizably Maker’s profile. Somewhat, there are considerable herbs and unique spices in right here. I get cardamom and anise, in addition to a hefty dollop of wooden polish. Extra time reveals a smoky, meaty scent of BBQ brisket and a few stalky inexperienced plant aromas. There’s the faintest word of powdered sugar, however principally that is anchored within the “darker” finish of the fragrant spectrum. By way of the feel contained in the nostrils, this noses manner hotter than mid-50’s ABV. Nosed blind, I might need guessed excessive 60’s!
Within the mouth: That warmth is as soon as once more evident instantly, with a gap taste that feels and tastes nearly chemical. One other shock comes within the type of the extraordinary taste of peanuts simply earlier than midpalate, a word extra generally related to Maker’s Mark’s sister distillery in Clermont. This by no means regains its poise or steadiness, ping-ponging between that intensely chemical word and a few bitter nuttiness, with a obscure lingering impression of chocolate.
Conclusions:
An oddity, this diverges meaningfully from the aforementioned consistency of Maker’s. There are some factors of intrigue in right here – I particularly just like the novel natural notes on the nostril – however the general presentation falls aside within the mouth. It’s bought some off flavors which might be so intense, they overwhelm any of the nice notes and make this considerably tough to really drink. This tastes like a not-that-great batch of Booker’s bourbon; I’m chopping two factors off of common as a consequence.
Rating: 3/10
Maker’s Mark Cask Power Batch 20-02 – Assessment
110.4 proof (55.2% ABV)
Colour: Medium amber.
On the nostril: Extraordinarily natural straightaway, to a stunning diploma. There’s nearly the sense of strolling by a pine forest, so expressive are the preliminary aromatics. Happily, a bit time within the glass permits tones these notes down, bringing them into steadiness with different aromas. This turns into extra recognizably Maker’s in type, with a brandied cherry word intertwined with chocolate fudge sizzling sauce and a few baking spice. At instances, this takes on a high-toned and barely bitter, barely bitter word of lime zest. It additionally looks as if that pine word waxes and wanes with each alternating sniff of this; typically it steps to the fore, different time it recedes into the refrain of different notes. I’ll have an interest to see how all these components specific themselves within the mouth.
Within the mouth: This presents hallmark Maker’s Mark flavors from the primary second it touches the lips. Candy and tart cherry sweet notes combine with a drying word of limestone that carries the bourbon into the center of the mouth. There, it takes on a comfortable texture and the flavors fade considerably, as a lone nit to select in an in any other case flawless presentation. The whisky is redeemed as that fragrant pine word reemerges right here on the end, the place it finds good steadiness with a reprise of the nostril’s baking spice components. There’s a piquant cocoa word within the method of mole negro sauce as an added bonus earlier than the whisky enters a delicate medium size fade.
Conclusions:
Any fears that this could be overly woody dissipated as quickly because it reached my mouth. This can be a very, very stable expression of Maker’s Mark. It has the distillery’s traditional notes, with added intrigue from the wooden, all well-balanced towards a handful of different pleasant flavors. This represents the extent of high quality I’m after with each bottle of Maker’s Mark Cask Power I seize, and I’m scoring it positively to replicate that.
Rating: 7/10
Maker’s Mark Cask Power Batch 20-03 – Assessment
109.8 proof (54.9% ABV)
Colour: Golden orange
On the nostril: Very grainy, nearly youthfully so. An preliminary sniff offers a giant, candy blast of corn. Permitting this to sit down within the glass produces some extra confectionery sweetness, in addition to natural nuances of eucalyptus and a spicy accent of anise. There’s the marginally bitter and nutty scent of almonds, in addition to a extra creamy word of unscented hand lotion. Astoundingly, once I revisit this I get the uncanny aroma of pepperoni pizza.
Within the mouth: The quintessential Maker’s cherry word is entrance and heart as this greets the tongue. Because the whisky strikes towards midpalate, that word blooms and transforms to tackle the floral facet of rosewater. On the end, dry mineralic notes play with piquantly spicy tastes of black pepper and a tart lemon juice taste. That originally youthful impression comes again within the type of some juvenile grainy notes in addition to a woody taste that puckers the mouth with its tannic astringency. These wane to permit a reprise of the nostril’s confectionery taste to softly unfold all through the mouth.
Conclusions:
One of many lesser batches of Cask Power, this has some excessive factors but additionally some areas wherein it falls brief. Particularly, the grainy notes on the nostril and the end, paired with the sharp, tart woodiness on the end factors at this being suboptimally mature. I’m shaving some extent off of common to account for this.
Rating: 4/10
Maker’s Mark Cask Power Batch 20-04 – Assessment
109 proof (54.5% ABV)
Colour: Medium-dark burnished copper.
On the nostril: There’s a comfortable and candy fruitiness initially, which is about as charming as a primary word will get. Cherries, positive, but additionally peaches and cream. The woody accents listed below are extra of a spicy and roasty selection, with a mocha word much like among the Non-public Choose bottlings that emphasised these staves. There’s additionally the richness of chocolate fudge implying a scrumptiousness that begs for the primary sip.
Within the mouth: Initially fairly tart, this begins with a bitter word of citrus fruit because it meets the tongue. The whisky is propelled towards the middle of the mouth by a mineralic zip of limestone. It broadens out considerably to encapsulate fruit flavors, however within the tart type of underripe cherries. That sourness mutates right into a vaguely woody bitterness because the whisky strikes towards the end. There’s not one of the hoped-for chocolate notes, nevertheless this does have a tingly and energetic aftertaste of bitter cherries and pert stone, with a thickly woody accent of mesquite.
Conclusions:
This has excessive and low factors. The mocha and cocoa accents on the nostril are very good, however the flavors at midpalate depart a bit to be desired. Thought-about each on the spectrum of Maker’s Cask Power batches, and towards the broader backdrop of equally priced bourbon whisky, I’m left feeling like that is about common.
Rating: 5/10
Maker’s Mark Cask Power Batch 20-05 – Assessment
108.7 proof (54.35% ABV)
Colour: Medium-dark brownish orange
On the nostril: Initially this presents equally to among the higher Wild Turkey restricted editions; there’s a cherry word accented by the cedar and tobacco scent of a cigar field, in addition to luxurious leathery notes of a really previous and well-maintained Chesterfield armchair. Extra sniffing reveals wealthy and sticky-sweet aromas of brown sugar and maple syrup, in addition to an herbaceous medicinal whiff of eucalyptus. That is near the platonic very best bourbon nostril for me; let’s see if it carries by on the palate?
Within the mouth: That cherry is as soon as once more entrance and heart, albeit in a extra tart kind because the whisky kisses the lips and the tip of the tongue. This corporations up considerably because it strikes towards the center of the mouth, with a really stable limestone word pushing different flavors to the periphery. There’s a momentarily bitter, tannic greenness in right here, however that dissipates shortly to make manner for a roasty mocha word. This expands laterally because it reaches the again of the mouth, the place tart cherry and pert limestone are as soon as once more joined and unfold out to coat the palate. The end lingers equally, with that drying minerality gripping the tongue lengthy after the ultimate swallow.
Conclusions:
As famous above, the nostril on that is about pretty much as good because it will get. The palate was totally different; not unhealthy, simply extra centered on a narrower vary of flavors. Texturally that is pretty austere, so these with extra sensitivity to sharply bitter or drily stony flavors would possibly like this a bit lower than I did. In complete, and contemplating the opposite examples right here, I’m scoring this barely above common.
Rating: 6/10
Maker’s Mark Cask Power Batch 21-01 – Assessment
110.6 proof (55.3% ABV)
Colour: Medium-pale, boring brownish orange
On the nostril: Candy and floral. A few of these confectionery and birthday cake notes from Batch 17-01 make a reappearance, with the added dimension of chalky sweet within the method of Necco wafers. A deep inhalation yields a meaty and savory-sweet word of BBQ rooster breast, in addition to some Christmas-y components of berries, spiced wine, and pine boughs. There’s a vaguely unique spiciness in right here; I’m considering Garam Masala or cumin, but it surely’s laborious to pin it down exactly.
Within the mouth: This begins full bore, with a fast nip of cherry reworking instantly right into a woody and nutty combination within the entrance of the mouth. This pivots fairly abruptly because it approaches the midpalate, with a drying stony word that turns unpleasantly bitter on the center of the tongue. Sadly, this doesn’t abate in any respect, however slightly persists sourly by the (on this case, regrettably) lengthy end.
Conclusions:
Nice range on the nostril, but it surely all goes awry within the mouth. That is truly powerful to drink, so off-putting is that bitter word that crowds out the remainder of the flavors within the second half of the palate. I’m scoring this about as little as I ever rating this expression.
Rating: 3/10
Maker’s Mark Cask Power Batch 21-03 – Assessment
109.4 proof (54.7% ABV)
Colour: Medium-pale copper.
On the nostril: A nice mixture of ripe stone fruit (apricot, peaches) and a gooey word of chocolate fudge. Some candy aromas of fruity laborious sweet are balanced by the herbaceous woodiness of eucalyptus. There’s a faint stoniness in right here as effectively, however with a candy accent; it is a novel aroma for me. With time, a faintly ashy aroma emerges.
Within the mouth: Initially, there’s a tripartite taste right here that includes wooden, nuts, and chocolate in completely balanced proportions. Towards the center of the mouth this turns into extra nut pushed, with a potent taste of almonds. There’s a flip towards darker-toned notes by the end, which additionally takes on the bittersweet taste of black licorice. There’s a remaining reprise of the stone fruit notes in additional concentrated kind earlier than the end fades steadily, leaving a warmth that comprises faint echoes of the previous parade of flavors.
Conclusions:
That is scrumptious and completely balanced from entrance to again. Certainly one of my favourite batches so far, it may be loved equally as a hedonistic indulgence or whereas being picked aside with mental precision. I’m due to this fact giving this a rating as excessive as I’ve ever given for any batch of this expression.
Rating: 8/10
Maker’s Mark Cask Power Batch 21-04 – Assessment
109.4 proof (54.7% ABV)
Colour: Medium golden.
On the nostril: That is form of a ‘tweener relative to the 2 taste profiles which have emerged from this vertical, and I imply that in a great way. There’s fruity sweetness of a range that jogs my memory of gummy candies, accented by a richer word of cocoa. That is balanced by a really deft fragrant contact of pine wooden, in addition to a piquant, oily, barely bitter nip of citrus rind. Stepping again for a second and re-approaching this, I get a pleasant, pleasantly creamy (however not flabby) word of oaky vanilla and a few recent, floral fragrance scents.
Within the mouth: On the entrance of the mouth this begins with a gentle nuttiness that activates a dime right into a tart citric word which then modifications as soon as extra right into a warming woodiness. Towards the center of the palate that is rounded out and takes on a extra polished woodiness, with a number of frivolously spicy sprinkles of cinnamon and nutmeg thrown in. The wooden meets a sternly mineralic stoniness because it reaches the again of the mouth. That cocoa word reemerges in a refined however very nice kind by the end, which snakes again towards the entrance of the mouth with a radiant warmth and a delicate return to the floral components.
Conclusions:
Of the batches tasted so far, I really feel like this one does the very best job of marrying the disparate ends of the flavour spectrum, with a handful of nice little surprises in there for good measure. It’s balanced, however retains the “edge” that barrel proof fans get pleasure from within the type of some pretty sharp components and a warming mouthfeel. Like 20-02, I really feel that it is a good benchmark for the (effectively above common) high quality I want to discover persistently amongst batches. I’m due to this fact scoring it comparably to that expression.
Rating: 7/10
Maker’s Mark Cask Power Batch 21-05 – Assessment
110.0 proof (55.0% ABV)
Colour: Medium-pale golden yellow.
On the nostril: To match the paler shade of this whisky, the aromas right here all have a tendency towards the lighter finish of the spectrum. Honey, floral fragrance, powdered sugar, and apple juice all play cheerfully collectively. Sadly for me, the wealthy fruity notes (cherry particularly) and among the extra critical natural nuances are right here solely of their faintest kinds. I get a little bit of menthol, maybe, in addition to some twiggy greenness, however principally this stays on the sunny facet of the road.
Within the mouth: There’s a burst of candied cherry as this greets the tongue, which sadly fades quickly as this strikes towards the middle of the mouth. Texturally, the whisky leans out to a stunning diploma, with the mouthfeel grow to be very mute and watery at what must be the crescendo of flavors. This by no means actually regains its footing, as an alternative fading quickly with a dilute mélange of vaguely candy, stony, and woody scents which might be nearly indistinguishable individually. There’s a slight bitterness to the aftertaste as a remaining disagreeable punctuation mark on a completely disappointing expertise.
Conclusions:
This veers so removed from the anticipated profile of MMCS that I’m unsure I might have the ability to decide it out in a blind tasting. That wouldn’t essentially be a nasty factor if the whisky ended up in a spot of nice steadiness, however this doesn’t come shut. Within the mouth, particularly, the flavors which aren’t weak are bitter and off-putting. That is cocktail fodder for positive, and I’m scoring it punitively to replicate that.
Rating: 3/10
Maker’s Mark Cask Power Batch 21-07 – Assessment
109.3 proof (54.65% ABV)
Colour: Medium-pale orange.
On the nostril: The fruitiest nostril I can recall on a Maker’s Mark whisky of any expression. There’s a luxurious word of apple cider, ripe apricots, and even some wild berry aromas in right here. A curious word harking back to pink rocks presents itself, in addition to some freshly floor cinnamon and a touch of pine needles.
Within the mouth: Extra sedate to begin, this presents an earthy taste accented by some dried wooden notes because it meets the tongue. The skinny, ethereal sweetness of confectioners’ sugar emerges at midpalate, with a tart citric word of lemon juice making a quick look. This lapses into an astringent, tart woodiness because it strikes into the end, the place the flavors all however vanish. A momentary style of cinnamon sweet is the final impression, earlier than this leaves a residual warmth because it the one reminder of its presence.
Conclusions:
My hopes had been elevated after my first sniff, with the expectation that even a little bit of the nostril’s fruitiness would work wonders on the palate. There was actually nothing of the type; as an alternative, the impression is of shrill, brittle notes that don’t have a lot endurance. Within the mouth, that is maybe the worst batch of Maker’s Cask Power I’ve tried but. I really feel compelled to knock two factors off common to replicate this.
Rating: 3/10
Maker’s Mark Cask Power Batch 21-08 – Assessment
112.5 proof (56.25% ABV)
Colour: Medium orange.
On the nostril: Cherries with an abundance of shifting accents; typically there may be an natural or a spicily woody facet to them, typically they’re dipped in chocolate, however at all times there’s a return to the tart juiciness of a pink cherry. As I hover my nostril away from the glass I get extra unique cooking spice notes of cardamom and star anise. There’s additionally the smoky meatiness of rooster breast cooked on a charcoal grill. Extra sniffing yields the earthy scent of mushrooms. It is going to be fascinating to see how this performs within the mouth.
Within the mouth: A luscious word of brandied cherry creates a really pleasant entrance as this whisky hits the tongue. This beneficial properties viscosity, heft, in addition to some herbaceous and medicinal notes that create the feel and taste of cherry cough syrup. This turns momentarily stony earlier than there’s a tannic, bitter woody word that lasts for only a second earlier than disappearing, yielding to roasted peanuts and a return to the preliminary brandied cherry word, which leaves a lingering impression by the mouth.
Conclusions:
Almost pretty much as good because the 21-03, the one nit to select right here is that momentarily astringent woodiness in the course of the mouth. I like how off-profile the nostril is, whereas the depth of the cherry flavors within the mouth create a deliciousness that compels one other sip, and one other, till the whisky disappears. I’m scoring this not fairly as excessive as the very best on this lineup, however not too far off, both.
Rating: 7/10
Wow, what a rollercoaster! I began to fret as I bought into the latter 21- batches, however fortuitously the -08 batch from this previous yr saved the day. Once more, I’m shocked at how a lot variation emerges from this distillery identified, maybe above all else, for its consistency. Some would possibly query my scores; I query their dispersion myself. Maybe I’m selecting nits, and contemplating all these towards a broader panorama of bourbons would make them hew extra carefully to a rating someplace simply above the imply? There’s just one method to discover out for your self: assemble a number of bottles (fortunately, they continue to be simple to search out and pretty priced) and do a mini model of this tasting… and if you happen to do, please let me know the way it goes!
Lead picture creator’s personal; the remaining are courtesy of Maker’s Mark.
