Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Background:

Maker’s Mark is a distillery isn’t known for their innovation. Or, even trying new things. They know what they do well, and they continue to do it with consistency. However, this fall Maker’s Mark released a cask strength version of their famous bourbon. Maker’s Mark last attempt at tinkering with a bourbon’s proof turned into a debacle. That is probably why this bottle is only available at the distillery for now.

Maker’s Mark decided to take a different approach to this release by making it a 375 ML bottle that’s only available at the distillery. I assume this is just a test run, and it will be available nationwide by spring 2015. At $40 for a 1/2 bottle, MM is pricing it to compare with the BTAC and Four Roses LE’s of the world.

In the words of Maker’s Mark:

Maker’s Mark, the pioneer of handcrafted bourbon, is known for its smooth and approachable flavor which stems from the use of red winter wheat in the mash as opposed to rye. Fastidious about quality and a hands-on distilling and aging process, Maker’s Mark has always been a consistent product due to the purposefully inefficient production process at its National Historic Landmark distillery in Loretto, Kentucky. In fact, the distillery produced only one bourbon for nearly fifty years before the introduction of Maker’s 46 in 2010.

Beginning fall 2014, Maker’s Mark will introduce Maker’s Mark Cask Strength, which is Maker’s Mark straight from the barrel – uncut and unfiltered. With a proof of approximately 108-114, Cask Strength retains the essence of original Maker’s Mark, with even more front-of-the-palate flavors. It just amplifies the taste that Maker’s Mark fans have come to love over the past 60 years.

Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Review:

Nose: Caramel, there’s a curry-like spice smell to it, sweet tea, when I go back there’s a heavy burnt sugar note

Taste: Orange peel, banana sweetness, lighter flavors than expected from a cask strength, charred corn

Finish: A little short but lots of warm apples and spice

Overall: All in all this is a good bourbon. I wish it were a little older and more complex but bourbonr’s have been screaming for barrel proof MM for years now so beggars can’t be choosers. I think the decision to go with a 375 ml bottle was a very smart by MM. I’d probably be much harder on this review if I’d paid $80 for the bottle instead of $40 even though it’s the same thing. If you get a chance it’s definitely worth grabbing a bottle or two.

Maker’s Mark News:

In other Maker’s Mark news, it was announced Thursday that Marge Samuels, wife of Maker’s Mark founder Bill Samuels, Sr., will be inducted into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame during next week’s Bourbon Festival.

Over sixty years ago, Marge made invaluable contributions to Maker’s Mark and in turn, the bourbon industry as a whole. She is credited as the mastermind behind the iconic bottle (design, label, red wax), the Maker’s Mark name & trademark, and the aesthetic and emphasis on tourism at the National Historic Landmark distillery in Loretto, KY – a lady well before her time! As this year’s only inductee, Marge will be the fifth woman to ever be inducted and the first woman directly connected with a distillery to receive the bourbon industry’s highest honor.

25 comments

I agree with your Spring 2015 call. The time frame gives them enough time to gauge the market (both gift shop and secondary) and at the same time allows for them to be at the forefront of the releases by not having to compete against the obvious big dogs coming out of Buffalo Trace in the Fall. The biggest comp in Spring 2015 would have to be FR’s single barrel which is always a treat.

A buddy picked up a bottle for me and I am anxious to try it!

This stuff is delicious. Although I strongly disagree that it will be spring ’15 before a more public release. Im guessing the next few weeks.

I think you will end up being right. I’ve heard some distributors already talking with MM

This is already out, or at least in IL. Picked up two bottles yesterday though I paid 45/bottle.

Maple Leaf Liquors in San Jose has it as well since this past Monday. Selling for 39.99

San Francisco, CA – A small liquor store approximately 1.5 blocks up from The Whiskey Shop got one case of this in, they had 7 bottles left as of 10/20. Sorry I forot the name. Real nice indian gentleman behind the counter. Good Hunting

Thanks for the info, Tristan!

patchouge ny the store i go to just got it in today 39.99 sunwave liquors in patchouge ny i was happy to get a bottle

Found about a case sitting on the shelf at Spec’s downtown in Houston this past Friday. Grabbed a few, they had this priced well compared to what I’m seeing others are paying – $28 / 375. Possible price mistake considering it was $40 at the distillery?

That’s awesome! I would have cleared the shelves at that price

I picked up a bottle at BevMo in Chula Vista CA on the 26th of Oct. They have it for $39.99 a bottle wish it was a full size bottle.

Love the glass in the picture. Anybody know where I can buy them?

Love the glass in the picture. Anyone know where I can get some?

They’re right here my fried http://bourbonr.com/blog/bourbonr-glass/

Awesome. Thanks!

Just started seeing this stuff around NYC for 40 a bottle. Picked one up and love it so far. Loads of cinnamon and incredibly smooth for a cask strength bottling. I did a short write up of the bottle as well, so it was interesting to compare tasting notes to yours!

http://www.cultureglaze.com/2014/11/11/bourbon-review-makers-mark-cask-strength/

looks like they didnt wait afterall I just got a few cases of it in cant wait to try it out!

WB Liquors has it for $33.99 a bottle

Found bottles now all across PA. Cost is $34.99. Nice! Grabbed a few.

Anyone find it in Maryland? I have not yet. Where in PA? Phili area? I will be up there next week. Thank you

It’s available at the PLCB stores and not available in MD from what I saw earlier this month.

I went to wedding in Baton Rouge in June/15 and got 4 -355ml bottles, this stuff is fantastic. I was able to bring it back to Canada where we do have Markers Mark but not the Cask Strength, saving it for a special day.

I’m pleased that everyone else is turning somersaults over Makers cask strength because it was just too sweet for me. I get that “cask” allows you to, effectively, become your own mixologist. The problem is that when you’re paying close to $ 80 a fifth – and recently I bought two (2) here in Dallas-I might have just as well bought the “standard” for all the water I had to add to achieve the balance I prefer.

Makers 46 is now selling a “Cask Strength” to the public at their company store in Loretto at I’m sure if given the opportunity, I jump to buy. Perhaps my love affair with Makers is in for a course correction.