Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series - 2024 The Heart Release Review

 

Overview: Is Maker's the most polarizing Kentucky bourbon? Possibly.

Obviously, many people love Maker's as they are one of the largest and oldest distilleries in the US. However, others don't, and that's perfectly fine. Maker's has always stayed true to a specific flavor profile, and they haven't (to my knowledge) released any super-aged bourbons. That means, since they use wheat, some Maker's expressions can get a bit "bready" and lack the complexity of whiskeys that include rye or spend more time in the barrel. I happen to be someone who loves wheated bourbons; one of my all-time favorites is Weller 12, which I consider the benchmark. Today, we'll be sampling a new release from Maker's that is part of their wood finishing series.

Most of us thought the wood finishing series was over, but according to the label on this bottle, this is the second chapter. The first chapter (aka the "license plate series") included bottles like BRT-01, BRT-02, FAE-01, etc.

Here's an excerpt from the label: "For this second chapter of our limited release wood finishing series, we pursue unique taste visions inspired by the teams who craft our handmade bourbon in Loretto, Kentucky - the makers of our Maker's if you will. In this 2024 release, known as the Heart Release, we have crafted a one-of-a-kind expression that celebrates our team that distills our whisky. This team is the center - the heart if you will - of our whisky-making process. This stage in the process serves to guide all other stages, ensuring our taste vision is realized. Fruit forward with caramel, maple, and chocolate notes, this expression features a rich, creamy mouthfeel that is a pure delight. We hope you enjoy this one as much as we enjoyed making it."

Age: NAS (No Age Statement)

Proof: 111.7 Proof (55.85% AVB)

Mashbill: 70% Corn, 16% Soft Red Winter Wheat, 14% Malted Barley

Secondary Finish: Yes - French Oak Staves

Nose: The nose is not typical of the standard Maker's Mark profile. It's much sweeter and doesn't have any of those bread notes, youthfulness, or nuttiness. The first note to hit me is maple syrup, followed by caramel, buttery popcorn, cherry, blackberry, a bit of chocolate, and some vanilla.

Palate: The palate is less fruity than the nose would indicate. It's darker and richer, with burnt caramel, heavily toasted marshmallow, pronounced sweetness, wood sugar, vanilla, and even some mocha or coffee notes. 

Finish: Some spice on the back end from the higher proof. There is no rye in this mashbill, so as I would expect, there are no baking spice notes. The sweetness continues with burnt marshmallows and burnt sugar. The finish is long and very pleasant, but it isn't super complex... no real twists and turns, just more of the same notes, but I very much enjoy those notes.

Final Thoughts: As is typical with all Maker's releases, this isn't super complex due to the shorter time in the barrel and the lack of rye in the mashbill. What complexity it does have comes from the secondary finish and the higher proof than most Maker's releases. It is sweeter than a lot of bourbons, but that's what you expect. This flavor profile is absolutely in my "strike zone," so I will be hunting for more of these bottles before they disappear. I like higher proof (check), I like wheated bourbon (check), I like finished bourbon (check), and I was able to find this for around $60, so I'm giving it a "top shelf" rating.

Rating: Top Shelf - Link to ratings explanations

Penelope Architect Build 9 Review - The best Penelope?

Overview: Penelope Architect Build 9, the ninth release in this series, comes packaged in a striking bottle adorned with a blue label—a clever nod to an architect's blueprint, echoing the brand's name. The back label boasts of "a blueprint for the future of precision blending," emphasizing the combination of their signature four-grain mashbill with French oak staves. It also highlights a collaboration with Tonnellerie Radoux, using their OakScan® process for stave selection. While that's a lot of marketing speak for a 4-year bourbon, let's see if the liquid lives up to the hype.

Age: 4 Years

Proof: 104 (52% ABV)

Mashbill: The exact mashbill remains undisclosed, but it's confirmed to be a four-grain blend derived from three distinct MGP distillates:

MGP Bourbon (45% Wheat) - 51% Corn, 45% Wheat, 4% Malted Barley

MGP Bourbon (21% Rye) - 75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Malted Barley

MGP Bourbon (99% Corn) - 99% Corn, 1% Malted Barley

The precise blend is a testament to the master blender's skill, prioritizing taste over a rigid formula.

Secondary Finish: Yes - French Oak Staves

Nose: Vanilla frosting and lightly toasted marshmallows entice the senses, complemented by white pepper and a pronounced oak presence. There's a hint of youthfulness, but the sweet oak notes largely mask it.

Palate Surprisingly soft on the palate, belying its 104 proof. The sip starts with caramel, cinnamon and a touch of cherry.  The mouthfeel is pleasingly viscous, delivering a wave of sweet oak—the dominant flavor. Subtle blackberry notes emerge with focused attention. 

Finish: Sweet Oak continues to the finish.  The sweetness turns to toffey and carmel and the darker fruits start to emerge more than at the start... blackberry, and even some coffee.  I'm very happy with the complexity and lenght of finish considering the short 4 year age statement, this is likely due to the 4 grain mashbill and the secondary finish. 

Final Thoughts: Penelope Architect Build 9 defies expectations with its complexity and richness, especially considering its relatively light color and young age. The emphasis on the OakScan process seems justified if it contributes to this quality.

This release stands out as the best Penelope I've encountered, surpassing my experiences with their other blended offerings. It's a bourbon worth seeking out.

Rating: Middle Shelf - Link to ratings explanations

Penelope Toasted Series Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review - Batch 23 - 305

Overview: Penelope Bourbon, recently acquired by MGP, bridges the gap between sourced and distiller-produced whiskey. The Toasted Series, exemplified by Batch 23-305, showcases their unique approach to finishing. This release, aged for 5 years and bottled at 100 proof, undergoes a secondary maturation in a heavily toasted, char level 2 barrel. While Penelope's distribution in California has been limited, this marks my first opportunity to delve into a full bottle. With its intriguing combination of age, proof, and finishing technique, I'm eager to explore how this bourbon distinguishes itself in a crowded market. 

Age: 5 years

Proof: 100 proof (50% ABV)

Mashbill: Not disclosed on the bottle. Website says 75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Malted Barley but that is for a different batch (24-301).

Nose: Despite its age and finishing, youthful, grassy notes are surprisingly present. Classic bourbon aromas of cherry and maple syrup intertwine with burnt sugar and smokiness. A touch of heat and spice, perhaps cinnamon or rye-derived, adds complexity.

Palate: The early and mid-palate shine with vanilla, cherry, brown sugar, black pepper, and cinnamon. However, these flavors seem somewhat disjointed, lacking a cohesive integration. Additional aging, either in the primary or finishing barrel, might have harmonized these elements.

Finish: The finish is bright and slightly sharp, showcasing prominent oak influence. It leans towards burnt and smoky rather than sweet and smooth, with a hint of toasted marshmallow sweetness.

Final Thoughts: While I had high hopes for this bourbon, it falls a bit short of expectations. It's a decent pour but lacks the wow factor, especially considering its price point (above $50). In this range, numerous other bottles offer a more compelling experience.

This isn't a bad bourbon by any means, but for a 5-year, 100-proof, toasted expression, it doesn't quite hit the mark for me. It's worth trying, as it might resonate with others differently. However, it simply doesn't fit my personal preference.

Rating: Bottom Shelf - Link to ratings explanations