Veteran Bourbon Review: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength

Official Product Website

History – Maker’s Mark has a very long history dating back to 1953 when Bill Samuels Sr. set forth on his experimentation of various grains using his family’s 170 year old recipe. Through ingenuity, patience and determination, Bill and his wife Margie reinvented his family’s whiskey recipe and revolutionized an industry. 

Maker’s Mark has been true to Bill and Margies vision, still making every bottle the same way their very first bottle was made. They still use the same corn farm as their supplier, as well as the wheat. Every bottle is still hand dipped in wax and bears the ‘mark’ with the Star, S, and IV. The star represents their home at Star Hill Farm. The S represents the family name Samuels. The IV represents the 4th generation distiller that Bill Samuels Sr. claimed. His son Bill Jr. actually discovered his father was a 6th generation distiller.   

I highly recommend spending some time on the Markers Mark website if you are a fan of their Bourbon. There is so much interesting information about their history and product, summarizing it just doesn’t do it any justice.  Let’s dig in!

Value – For $40 this is a strong competitor in the Cask Strength space.

Appearance – Mahogany. Beautiful Bottle with hand dipped red wax neck. Screw on cap. 

Nose – Apricot / Cloves / Spearmint / Lots of Vanilla

Palate – Chocolate / Toffee / Smokey / Very Sweet / Little Thin on Mouthfeel

Finish – Port / Leather / Mesquite Wood / Allspice / Nice Long Finish

Summary – This bourbon is really good and it’s something to nod at. Its history is rich for the bourbon industry and everyone you know that drinks knows of the Makers Mark brand. Its shape and appearance is undeniable. This label changes year after year and in this case it is the 22-02 which is version two of 2022. Its proof is higher than the Limited Release of the year and does quite hit the mark as the limited release even though it is barrel strength. It has an amazing flavor and it’s packed full of complexity. It’s only downfall is its mouthfeel which is really thin compared to other offerings of similar proofs.

“Great flavor and finish but missing the mark on how it feels going down.“

–Andrew Workman

Uniqueness- 1-10 – 4

Appearance- 1-10 – 5

Nose- 1-20 – 13

Palate- 1-20 – 14

Finish- 1-20 – 16

Value- 1-20 – 20