Review #115: Maker's Mark The Stewards Release
Maker's Mark The Stewards Release
Distillery: Maker's Mark
Age: NAS
Price: $84.99
Proof: 109.8
Nose: All sorts of deep sweetness going on. Cherry waffles. Strawberry. Vanilla. Maple. Brown sugar. It's really nice and the flavors work well together. However it's somewhat one dimensional and it does border a bit on being too much of a dessert sip.
Palate: On the thicker side, but not quite as syrupy as expected. Easy vanillas and caramels with some sweet oak. There's a slight barrel char note as well. Definitely a little more complexity here that shoo's away that desserty profile.
Finish: Long. The grain is noticeable here with a soft oaty nuttiness from the wheat. Marshmallow. Maple. Cinnamon. The flavors are pretty rich, but what sticks out here and the reason I would describe this as a long finish is an unmistakable medicinal cherry note that smacks you in the face and lingers forever.
Score: 7.9
Summary: Here we are in year three of the Maker's "Wood Finishing" series, and once again they've put out another really nice bottle. For those who don't know each of these releases uses a combination of oak staves to finish the bourbon. The 2024 "Heart Release" uses 10 virgin toasted French oak staves, the 2025 "Keepers Release" uses 10 virgin toasted American white oak staves, and this years "Stewards Release" also uses 10 American oak staves (however char level and toast time of these American staves is likely different between the two releases). I've had all three and would put this above the Heart Release but below the Keepers Release. I generally prefer sweeter bourbons, but even for me this felt a little too sweet at times. From the very first sip I likened it to a cherry forward Woodford Double Oaked and that still held true through the pour I had this evening. With that being said it's still a fantastic drink and being compared to Double Oaked in my opinion should be more of a compliment than a knock. It's intense and most of these sweeter notes are lovely. I just wish there was a little more going on because if there was this could have ended up a top 5 score I've ever given out. Debated going with an 8.0 here but going to say 7.9 is the score.
- Terrible | Drain pour after the first sip
- Very Bad | Trying to choke it down but possible drain pour
- Poor | Would drink if forced to but never under my own will
- Below Average | Not off-putting but not my cup of tea
- Average | I'll take it
- Good | Enjoyable sip
- Very Good | Well above average
- Excellent | A drink I will remember
- Incredible | Something truly extraordinary
- Best of the best | Peak Bourbon