Maker’s Mark

Maker's Mark

7.3 out of 10

Maker’s Mark – highly recommended for first-time bourbon drinkers. Once considered a premium bourbon, it’s now one of the top 3 value-for-money bourbons! With its smooth taste and relatively mild alcohol content for a bourbon, it’s a must-try for bourbon beginners

Taste
7 out of 10
Vanilla sweetness. It's characterized by a sweetness that practically screams 'This is corn whiskey!' Spicy notes emerge as well. However, due to its young age, the alcohol bite is unavoidable
Nose (Aroma)
8.4 out of 10
While some might say the aroma is weak for a bourbon, I personally have very fond memories of this bourbon's scent
Finish
6.3 out of 10
Medium length with a warm, friendly goodbye. Sweet corn and vanilla linger, transitioning into a gentle oak spiciness.
Price
7.6 out of 10
Among bourbons, there are many that offer good taste at reasonable prices, and I consider Maker's Mark to be the flagship of this category. It's an excellent whiskey for daily drinking.

Short Story

Maker’s Mark is quite divisive even among bourbon enthusiasts. While most bourbons use rye, Maker’s Mark uses wheat, which results in less of bourbon’s characteristic spicy and sharp qualities. The issue is that many people love bourbon specifically for its high proof and the intense aroma and kick that comes from virgin oak, so Maker’s Mark’s characteristics can easily be seen as drawbacks.

I’m a big fan of Maker’s Mark, but honestly, thinking about it, I like it more because it was my first bourbon rather than for its taste and aroma. I first tried it in summer, and it was the first whiskey that let me fully appreciate the ‘bourbon scent’ as I sat watching movies with a fan running. The characteristic corn and virgin oak aromas gently wafting with the breeze were really wonderful.

For those who dislike bourbon for being too strong, Maker’s Mark might still be too powerful. However, since it’s smoother and milder than other bourbons, it’s worth trying at least once.

Final Verdict

While I’m still not happy about the steadily rising prices… it’s still the whiskey that comes to mind when I’m craving a sweet bourbon. While it’s not completely high-end, among the “Big Three” beginner bourbons (Wild Turkey, Buffalo Trace, Maker’s Mark), it definitely has the smoothest and most sophisticated taste.