Way back in 1943, a man named Bill Samules, Sr. decided that his family had been making whisky all wrong. This man had so much confidence in his ability to create a new distinguished product that he burned his family’s 170-year-old recipe. It turns out he made the right choice because his new recipe, developed in 1951, is the same one used for every glass of Maker’s Mark that you enjoy today. Odly enough, Bill’s new whisky has exactly zero percent rye. It’s this difference in ingredient formula that makes Maker’s Mark so smooth and easy to drink. Unfortunately, I think the lack of rye is also the reason I feel a little disappointed with each sip.
As soon as you break through the classic red wax seal on a bottle of this whisky, you are greeted with a fantastic aroma. Honestly, if there were some way I could fit myself through the neck of the bottle to swim around in this stuff, I would do it. Sip it on the rocks, and the initial flavor is slightly sweet with a hint of oak charcoal. Then, the flavor just sort of ends. It almost tastes a little watered down. Makers Mark is like a gorgeous woman sitting by herself at a bar. You, being the ladies man that you are, strike up a conversation with her. She tells you all about her most recent trip to Cancun with her sorority sisters. Four and a half drinks later, she is still telling you all about her sorority sisters, and then you realize that there really is nothing more to her personality. Don’t get me wrong, Maker’s Mark definitely goes down easier than most whiskies. At 90 proof, it also packs a nice punch. In fact, I found that Makers did a much better job of getting me drunk than the 108-proof Wild Turkey Rare Breed.
At about $32 for a fifth, it’s really quite a bargain when you consider that it is one of the last true small batch (19 barrels) whiskies. Add in the fact that these guys use an old-school roller-mill to ensure that you receive a beverage without a hint of bitterness even though it actually slows the production process. Then just to add that extra little bit of love, the barrels are cycled through the different levels in the warehouse to take advantage of the differing temperatures. Whew, talk about dedication to your trade…the guys at Maker’s Mark have it.
For both first-time and well-versed Whisky/Bourbon drinkers alike, Maker’s Mark is a fine choice. If you, like me, enjoy a drink with a little bolder flavor you might want to look elsewhere. However, the aroma and the smooth flavor of Maker’s Mark Whisky definitely make it worth the price of admission.
Sipability – 7.0
Mixability – 7.5
Drunkability – 8.0
Hangover-ability – 8.0
Bang for the Buck – 8.0
Overall - 7.5 
Comments
I love me some Maker’s Mark. Very interesting about the rye. I had no idea.
Hey Basher … thanks for the review. We certainly agree on some of your points and appreciate you sharing. I’m not sure if I would recommend swimming in it though … heh. I’ll make sure Bill sees that part. He’ll get a laugh out of it.
Thanks again!
Jason
I was never much of a whiskey drinker, but this was love at first sip! I deeply appreciate the extra effort Mr Samuels, Jr., et al. put in to their fine product… it shows. I signed up to be an Ambassador and will soon have my own barrel of “mr jimi” happily aging in their beautiful Kentucky warehouses.
Also… being from Minnesota I have also developed a love of August Schell brewery products, another example of how a family’s caring vision, love of their business and respect for their customers can result in amazing products (my favorite is FireBrick – an all-malt Vienna-style amber lager)
I got one of the shot bottles from the ABC store. I have to say… I wasn’t impressed. It lacked the subtle sweetness that most bourbon has- instead it was rather bitter. I don’t know if it wass the plastic bottle or what, but I would take Old Grandad, Ancient Ancient Age, Eagle Rare, Evan Williams, Elijah Craig, Booker Noe, and Jim Beam over it.
same name different Jeff. Maker’s Mark is good it’s just not that good, Especially when you consider the price $27 a fifth. It is smooth I’ll give it that but it doesn’t taste like whiskey. Actually it doesn’t taste like anything. Don’t get me wrong it’s not a bad liquor but it’s way over-hyped (and overpriced). I’ll take Jack Daniels anyday over the Maker’s.
One of the immortals. Definitely not for all bourbon aficionados as it lacks the rye “bite” that some prefer. I suspect that Maker’s Mark appeals, in part, to people who enjoy a cross-section of liquor: when they want bourbon, they reach for The Mark. Personally, this was the beverage that turned me into a bourbon fan, and for day-to-day sipping it’s difficult to beat. Maker’s Mark is capable of producing a burn going down if you drink it straight (my preference).
Maker’s Mark is all marketing and image. Nothing here but a pretty bottle if you ask me. It’s got nothing over most mid to top shelf liquors except the price. If it makes you feel special though then more power to you…
I find Maker’s Mark to be delicious, but count me in as another person who didn’t know about the rye.
Yeah,I have to agree, the ‘burn factor’ when sipping a glass is hard to detect compared to its cousins Jack, and Jim and Mr Turkey. Smooth and lovely.
This is quite possibly one of my favorite bourbons to order when out on the town. It goes down easy, you can drink it on the rocks or with soda easily, and it does not leave you with a pounding headache the next morning. Not to mention that bars usually price Makers well below its competitor Jack.
I enjoy JimBeam most the time but love to treat myself to this lovely morsel sometimes. 44 for 1.75 isnt too bad in my area for this. JimBeam is smooth but this is great. I dont drink it straight but rather drink it with Cola. This stuff beat Jacks and Beam hands down.
For a wheated bourbon, I prefer Old Weller Antique 107 proof. It not only packs a larger punch, it’s just as soft and MUCH cheaper. But the maker saves me at bars that only have macro swill beer on tap. Usually Maker’s Mark is available as their “top shelf” bourbon.
I just wish the finish stuck around longer.
this is whiskey you mix with coke – plain and simple
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