An Unique Customized Cask from a Bourbon Icon
Maker’s Mark 46 Okay&L Unique “Maker’s Squared” 109 Proof Personal Choose Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($69.99)
“That is simply one of the best first pour of ANY Maker’s Personal Choose that I’ve but to attempt.”
— David Othenin-Girard, Okay&L Spirits Purchaser
It’s been some time, however one in every of our hottest Okay&L Unique Cask line-ups is again in motion. Throughout their current journey to the hallowed halls of the Maker’s Mark distillery in Kentucky, Okay&L consumers Andrew Whiteley and David Othenin-Girard have been capable of re-kindle the Maker’s Mark Personal Choose program to nice success. For these unfamiliar, it’s a collaboration between the enduring bourbon distillery and our personal intrepid spirits group to develop a custom-cask whiskey aged to our precise specs. This newest entry is in contrast to any previous Personal Choose choices in that it introduces an all-new stave to the combo—the Roasted French Mendiant. Whereas this experimental course of can typically yield outcomes that depart from the basic character of Maker’s, that is one retains true to its roots like none different. As David explains, “It has all of the basic Maker’s flavors, simply turned up by a full order of magnitude, therefore the identify Maker’s Squared.” Followers of this quintessential Kentucky whiskey will discover all the pieces they’re on the lookout for on this cask-strength powerhouse, with the added complexity of the distinctive getting old vessel. It’s actually a singular piece of spirits craftsmanship, and it’s solely accessible whereas our restricted provides final.
Okay&L Notes: David and Andrew rigorously crafted the 2 newest Maker’s Mark Personal Choose casks overlooking the on-site reservoir behind the distillery. They’d two targets in thoughts—transporting drinkers to this particular spot in Loretto, KY with one dram and showcasing the model new stave profile within the different. In the long run, the targets required two seperate casks. Maker’s Squared is the transportation cask. Working intently with the Maker’s group, staves have been chosen to actually spotlight the comfortable wheat and candy American oak that’s so essential to the world-renowned profile of Maker’s Mark. Three Baked American Pure staves amp up the vanilla and toasted coconut. Two Seared French Cuvée staves deliver out a bit extra spice and tannic chew, which interplays with the upper 109 proof superbly. Three Roasted French Mendiant staves (the brand new entry within the line-up) spotlight a candy milk chocolate profile that’s usually missed however all the time current within the basic Maker’s. And two Toasted French Spice staves act as a binding agent to deliver the opposite three profiles along with Maker’s hallmark steadiness. The tip result’s maybe one of the best barrel we’ve ever put collectively beneath this unbelievable cask program. Totally Maker’s Mark, but one thing extra highly effective and sturdy with out yielding steadiness. It may very well be referred to as nothing however Maker’s Squared.
David Othenin-Girard | Okay&L Spirits Purchaser | Assessment Date: September 02, 2022
The Maker’s Mark barrel program is a very enjoyable though considerably nerve-wracking endeavor. In a normal sense, cask energy Maker’s is so good by itself, my normal purpose when constructing a mix is to not screw these flavors up an excessive amount of. Meaning I find yourself with loads of baked American staves in my blends because it all the time appeared like probably the most unobtrusive. However the addition of the brand new Mendiant stave has modified the sport considerably, providing one other taste choice to steadiness the spicy, roasted character of the opposite French oak staves. It’s nonetheless extraordinarily unsure, after spending an hour enjoying with completely different blends on the distillery, you continue to can’t be certain precisely the way it will prove, and I used to be completely astonished with the outcomes. That is simply one of the best first pour of ANY Maker’s personal choice that I’ve but to attempt. That’s not a knock on our different barrels, however usually the overt woody character that these barrels exhibit integrates with air. This one was seamless proper out of the bottle and is more likely to hold getting higher. It has all of the basic Maker’s flavors, simply turned up by a full order of magnitude, therefore the identify Maker’s Squared. The colour is a beautiful auburn tawny. The nostril bursts from the glass with wealthy, dried stone and orchard fruits, dense vanilla extract, delicate baking spice, and the beautiful toasted barrel character. Because it opens within the glass, the fruit turns into extra tropical—hints of inexperienced banana, mango, and keenness fruit. Like all Maker’s, it’s barrel-driven however doesn’t have the fresh-cut wooden that so many Personal Alternatives begin with. As an alternative, it’s all dense, candy, roasted spices. On the palate, it’s wealthy and chewy, including darkish chocolate, recent gooey nougat, and deep raisinated fruit, all balanced with a candy wooden spice that lasts for a number of minutes. It is a dang good barrel that basically reinvigorates my curiosity on this program—principally as a result of it jogs my memory of Maker’s a lot. An instantaneous basic. Welcome to the group, Roasted French Mendiant!
Will Blakely | Okay&L Employees Member | Assessment Date: September 02, 2022
Fairly probably one of the best Personal Choose cask I’ve tasted, this bottling fires on all cylinders. Followers of the FAE collection will discover lots to take pleasure in right here. Somewhat than the intensely sugary type of some Maker’s releases, that is sizzling and highly effective. Nougat, dried fruit, caramel, and toffee nut clusters dominate the palate. At 109 proof, ethanol is quickly obvious on the nostril, however the taste is absolutely built-in and wealthy. Tons of wooden character and spice stay current all through tasting, however by no means really feel overblown. Critical bourbon followers mustn’t cross this bottle up, however people simply moving into barrel-proof whiskey will nonetheless have a good time with this one. Get yours earlier than they’re gone.
