Whisky You Can Drink: Maker’s Mark

Welcome to another episode of Whisky You Can Drink, wherein I drink whisky and tell you about it. Today’s entry is Maker’s Mark, a small-batch (whatever that means) bourbon weighing in at 90 proof. I paid $25 for this bottle on sale, which is why you can drink it.

Maker’s Mark is a so-called “wheated” bourbon, meaning that the mash contains wheat instead of rye. The particular bill on this whisky is 70% corn, 16% wheat, and 14% malted barley. Wheated bourbons are said to be sweeter and less spicy than those containing rye, and include such infamous offerings as Weller and Pappy Van Winkle. I couldn’t tell you about those, because I’m not going to spend half a day’s pay or more on a bottle of fucking booze. But I digress. I bought this bottle at the beginning of the summer, and it has taken me almost this long to figure it out. As it happens, this whisky may be further evidence for that whole “neck pour” thing, as both the smell and taste seemed to mellow over time.

What’s it smell like? At first pour, I got an acrid, grassy odor somewhat akin to what my kid smells like after football practice. I bullshit you not. Eventually I got past that, or the whisky mellowed out some, and I was able to pull some pear, orange, or something like Juicy Fruit gum. Underneath it is still that grassy smell, but less hostile than at first.

What’s it taste like? I’m not gonna lie, this shit is kind of harsh to my palate. I am able to get some condensed milk and orange, or like a creamsicle kind of thing. There is also a dusty, hay-like taste. I find a bit of black licorice or anise at the finish, but it is all underneath a initial hit of ethanol or something just really sharp and stabby. I liked it better with a bit of water. When I say “a bit,” I mean take a straw and dip it about a half to three-quarters of an inch into a glass of water. Seal the open end off with your finger and drop that half-inch or so of straw water into about an ounce of whisky. Then you’ll find something more buttery, like one of those Brach’s caramels. Maybe this is better with more water and/or some ice; I haven’t bothered to try. Well, I have, but it’s been several years and I haven’t bothered this time around. Anyways……………

Should you buy it? Don’t let me tell you what to do with your money. I’m writing this while drinking a fucking Natty Boh, for fuck’s sake.

Will I buy it again? Meh. If you gave me a bottle, I wouldn’t re-gift it. But as wheated bourbons go, I much prefer Larceny. Fight me.