Comments on: Five Maker’s Mark bourbons in front of me, and the Master Distiller on the phone http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/01/27/five-makers-mark-bourbons-in-front-of-me-and-the-master-distiller-on-the-phone/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:44:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: New U.S. Releases – January ‘10 « Whisk(e)y Apostle http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/01/27/five-makers-mark-bourbons-in-front-of-me-and-the-master-distiller-on-the-phone/#comment-35365 New U.S. Releases – January ‘10 « Whisk(e)y Apostle Mon, 02 Aug 2010 17:16:08 +0000 http://www.whatdoesjohnknow.com/?p=3347#comment-35365 [...] They haven’t even come up with a name yet. I heard rumor of a June release but John Hansell said that Master Distiller Kevin Smith is still tinkering with the final iteration so who [...] [...] They haven’t even come up with a name yet. I heard rumor of a June release but John Hansell said that Master Distiller Kevin Smith is still tinkering with the final iteration so who [...]

]]> By: Mark Friedman http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/01/27/five-makers-mark-bourbons-in-front-of-me-and-the-master-distiller-on-the-phone/#comment-26238 Mark Friedman Thu, 20 May 2010 19:01:14 +0000 http://www.whatdoesjohnknow.com/?p=3347#comment-26238 John- I just got back from tasting Maker's 46 at the distillery and had a very favorable response to its flavor. For my own amusement and reference I also rate whiskies and gave this an 85-90, tending towards the high end. When I was at the distillery I also had a chance to taste what the distillery considered an over-matured Maker's Mark (10 years?) in one of their warehouses and thought it was quite good and very intense with the berry flavors of the regular bottling getting a huge boost. it was a bit woody but rather like a super sherry aged cask strength Highland Park. I wondered if you had the opportunity to taste this version too? Victoria Macrae-Samuels, Director of Operations and my guide said that Scotch drinkers often liked this version though she thought it too tanic. John-

I just got back from tasting Maker’s 46 at the distillery and had a very favorable response to its flavor. For my own amusement and reference I also rate whiskies and gave this an 85-90, tending towards the high end. When I was at the distillery I also had a chance to taste what the distillery considered an over-matured Maker’s Mark (10 years?) in one of their warehouses and thought it was quite good and very intense with the berry flavors of the regular bottling getting a huge boost. it was a bit woody but rather like a super sherry aged cask strength Highland Park. I wondered if you had the opportunity to taste this version too? Victoria Macrae-Samuels, Director of Operations and my guide said that Scotch drinkers often liked this version though she thought it too tanic.

]]> By: Review: Maker’s Mark “46″ Bourbon | What Does John Know? http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/01/27/five-makers-mark-bourbons-in-front-of-me-and-the-master-distiller-on-the-phone/#comment-25116 Review: Maker’s Mark “46″ Bourbon | What Does John Know? Fri, 07 May 2010 10:51:40 +0000 http://www.whatdoesjohnknow.com/?p=3347#comment-25116 [...] Distiller Kevin Smith since he made this project public. (Follow the my posting history on it here. And there’s a video of Kevin Smith and Bill Samuels talking about it here.) You may also [...] [...] Distiller Kevin Smith since he made this project public. (Follow the my posting history on it here. And there’s a video of Kevin Smith and Bill Samuels talking about it here.) You may also [...]

]]> By: Brett http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/01/27/five-makers-mark-bourbons-in-front-of-me-and-the-master-distiller-on-the-phone/#comment-17056 Brett Thu, 04 Feb 2010 01:15:38 +0000 http://www.whatdoesjohnknow.com/?p=3347#comment-17056 Just had the Makers Black at the Vox Bar in Potsdamer Platz, Berlin. It was (very) expensive, and worth every penny. Maker's, please bring this back per the old formula. Just had the Makers Black at the Vox Bar in Potsdamer Platz, Berlin.

It was (very) expensive, and worth every penny. Maker’s, please bring this back per the old formula.

]]> By: John Hansell http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/01/27/five-makers-mark-bourbons-in-front-of-me-and-the-master-distiller-on-the-phone/#comment-16914 John Hansell Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:48:41 +0000 http://www.whatdoesjohnknow.com/?p=3347#comment-16914 Taking some time to reflect on the whiskey samples I tasted, I think that the best whiskey wasn't there. Like I just said to Kevin Smith in an email, rather than filtering a whiskey that I though was perhaps too intense, I think that perhaps the best plan of action would be to just make an unfiltered, less intense whiskey. I think that Oliver already touched on this @8 above. This could be accomplished in three ways: 1) Blend in some regular Maker's to tone it down 2) Use fewer staves 3) Age on the staves for less time. I think any of these options would be superior to using filtering as a mechanism to tone down the intensity of a whiskey. Taking some time to reflect on the whiskey samples I tasted, I think that the best whiskey wasn’t there. Like I just said to Kevin Smith in an email, rather than filtering a whiskey that I though was perhaps too intense, I think that perhaps the best plan of action would be to just make an unfiltered, less intense whiskey. I think that Oliver already touched on this @8 above.

This could be accomplished in three ways:
1) Blend in some regular Maker’s to tone it down
2) Use fewer staves
3) Age on the staves for less time.

I think any of these options would be superior to using filtering as a mechanism to tone down the intensity of a whiskey.

]]> By: Irishwhiskeychaser http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/01/27/five-makers-mark-bourbons-in-front-of-me-and-the-master-distiller-on-the-phone/#comment-16876 Irishwhiskeychaser Tue, 02 Feb 2010 11:48:53 +0000 http://www.whatdoesjohnknow.com/?p=3347#comment-16876 Makers Mark was one of the first Bourbons that I really got to like and now usually have a bottle at hand. I was lucky enough to source a bottle of black seal in 2005 and it did not last long. The Black I found at times a bit woody but that was also it's appeal at other times (I suppose it depends on form). It had a brilliant burst of spice with the sweet brown sugar and Liquorice which was wonderful. Really looking forward to a new Marker Mark too ... well done on the pressure. Makers Mark was one of the first Bourbons that I really got to like and now usually have a bottle at hand. I was lucky enough to source a bottle of black seal in 2005 and it did not last long. The Black I found at times a bit woody but that was also it’s appeal at other times (I suppose it depends on form). It had a brilliant burst of spice with the sweet brown sugar and Liquorice which was wonderful. Really looking forward to a new Marker Mark too … well done on the pressure.

]]> By: Alex http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/01/27/five-makers-mark-bourbons-in-front-of-me-and-the-master-distiller-on-the-phone/#comment-16821 Alex Mon, 01 Feb 2010 21:00:31 +0000 http://www.whatdoesjohnknow.com/?p=3347#comment-16821 I can see the plinth in the store now - red, black and gold - wait, that's Johnnie Walker :) I can see the plinth in the store now – red, black and gold – wait, that’s Johnnie Walker :)

]]> By: John Hansell http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/01/27/five-makers-mark-bourbons-in-front-of-me-and-the-master-distiller-on-the-phone/#comment-16762 John Hansell Mon, 01 Feb 2010 11:57:32 +0000 http://www.whatdoesjohnknow.com/?p=3347#comment-16762 Joe, it was 101 proof. I had two bottles of it, and enjoyed both. It was basically the same as the Red Wax. but a higher proof. The Black Wax was 95 proof, and it is an older Maker's. They didn't mention anything to me about brinkging back the Gold or Black Wax. Joe, it was 101 proof. I had two bottles of it, and enjoyed both. It was basically the same as the Red Wax. but a higher proof. The Black Wax was 95 proof, and it is an older Maker’s. They didn’t mention anything to me about brinkging back the Gold or Black Wax.

]]> By: Joe http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/01/27/five-makers-mark-bourbons-in-front-of-me-and-the-master-distiller-on-the-phone/#comment-16745 Joe Mon, 01 Feb 2010 04:53:21 +0000 http://www.whatdoesjohnknow.com/?p=3347#comment-16745 Mr. Hansell, How I wish that Maker's Mark would simply introduce the old gold-wax (Japan-only) bottling to the U.S.A. It was either 100 or 101 proof, and the one time that I tried it, I enjoyed it immensely. How hard could that be? Call it "Maker's Mark Reserve" or some such and just charge more money for it. It would be immensely well-received here! Mr. Hansell,

How I wish that Maker’s Mark would simply introduce the old gold-wax (Japan-only) bottling to the U.S.A. It was either 100 or 101 proof, and the one time that I tried it, I enjoyed it immensely.

How hard could that be? Call it “Maker’s Mark Reserve” or some such and just charge more money for it. It would be immensely well-received here!

]]> By: sam k http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/01/27/five-makers-mark-bourbons-in-front-of-me-and-the-master-distiller-on-the-phone/#comment-16703 sam k Sun, 31 Jan 2010 18:01:45 +0000 http://www.whatdoesjohnknow.com/?p=3347#comment-16703 Red, the difference here is that for the most part (Gentleman Jack excluded), Tennessee whiskeys are only filtered before barreling. I get the impression that this MM expression is only filtered just before bottling. Big difference, in my opinion. Red, the difference here is that for the most part (Gentleman Jack excluded), Tennessee whiskeys are only filtered before barreling. I get the impression that this MM expression is only filtered just before bottling. Big difference, in my opinion.

]]> By: Whiskeyminis http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/01/27/five-makers-mark-bourbons-in-front-of-me-and-the-master-distiller-on-the-phone/#comment-16677 Whiskeyminis Sun, 31 Jan 2010 10:17:12 +0000 http://www.whatdoesjohnknow.com/?p=3347#comment-16677 I would love to taste a new version of Maker's Mark. I hope that they present it worldwide and not just to certain countries as they did with the black label which was meant for the japanese market. Why do they do that anyway? Why are some bottles only available in the states or just available in selected countries. Perhaps a new subject for your blog.--Bas I would love to taste a new version of Maker’s Mark. I hope that they present it worldwide and not just to certain countries as they did with the black label which was meant for the japanese market.
Why do they do that anyway? Why are some bottles only available in the states or just available in selected countries. Perhaps a new subject for your blog.–Bas

]]> By: Jason Cretacci http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/01/27/five-makers-mark-bourbons-in-front-of-me-and-the-master-distiller-on-the-phone/#comment-16591 Jason Cretacci Fri, 29 Jan 2010 23:31:32 +0000 http://www.whatdoesjohnknow.com/?p=3347#comment-16591 Scotch drinkers: don’t leave. You will find this interesting too! I love to hear this. It can be very hard to turn a stubborn Scotch drinker onto Scotch and vice-versa. I love to point to this comment as a reference. Great post John. All these posts on the subject is just making me more interest in it! Scotch drinkers: don’t leave. You will find this interesting too! I love to hear this. It can be very hard to turn a stubborn Scotch drinker onto Scotch and vice-versa. I love to point to this comment as a reference. Great post John. All these posts on the subject is just making me more interest in it!

]]> By: H.Diaz http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/01/27/five-makers-mark-bourbons-in-front-of-me-and-the-master-distiller-on-the-phone/#comment-16537 H.Diaz Fri, 29 Jan 2010 02:23:49 +0000 http://www.whatdoesjohnknow.com/?p=3347#comment-16537 Makers Mark is long over due for something new, more robust, maybe barrel strength (see Buffalo Trace). Their red wax is great, but its like getting the same Christmas gift year after year. Makers Mark is long over due for something new, more robust, maybe barrel strength (see Buffalo Trace). Their red wax is great, but its like getting the same Christmas gift year after year.

]]> By: JWC http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/01/27/five-makers-mark-bourbons-in-front-of-me-and-the-master-distiller-on-the-phone/#comment-16531 JWC Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:57:11 +0000 http://www.whatdoesjohnknow.com/?p=3347#comment-16531 Thanks John. If MM achieves their 4 goals with their new bourbon, I don't think a 20% premium over the red wax would be unreasonable. Thanks John. If MM achieves their 4 goals with their new bourbon, I don’t think a 20% premium over the red wax would be unreasonable.

]]> By: Neil Fusillo http://www.whiskyadvocateblog.com/2010/01/27/five-makers-mark-bourbons-in-front-of-me-and-the-master-distiller-on-the-phone/#comment-16509 Neil Fusillo Thu, 28 Jan 2010 19:54:06 +0000 http://www.whatdoesjohnknow.com/?p=3347#comment-16509 What I take away from this is a feeling of elation more than anything else. I'm positively THRILLED to hear about such creative experimentation going on in the bourbon industry. That Kevin Smith is not only willing to try new things, but is also willing to accept feedback so graciously and alter things accordingly to try and see how his experiments work... that's just great news. I'm really looking forward to buying a bottle of whatever comes out, if nothing else, to support the ideals behind it. What I take away from this is a feeling of elation more than anything else. I’m positively THRILLED to hear about such creative experimentation going on in the bourbon industry. That Kevin Smith is not only willing to try new things, but is also willing to accept feedback so graciously and alter things accordingly to try and see how his experiments work… that’s just great news.

I’m really looking forward to buying a bottle of whatever comes out, if nothing else, to support the ideals behind it.

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