Maker’s Mark Private Select has transformed Maker’s bourbon lineup. For many years, Maker’s only offered one product — Maker’s Mark bottled at 90 proof. That’s changed in recent years although they still use their historic mashbill for all new products which include cask strength, 46, and what I’ll be reviewing, the Maker’s Mark Private Select.
What makes the Maker’s Mark Private Select program stand out is liquor stores and bourbon groups affiliated with a store can visit the distillery and create their own unique Maker’s flavor profile with charred staves.
Each Private Select must have 10 staves with a mix of the options below and ages for nine weeks with the staves making full contact with the whisky:
- Baked American Pure – A bold, oaky sweetness
- Seared French Cuvee – Butterscotch, caramel, nuttiness, sweet vanilla with a full, fatty mouthfeel
- Maker’s 46 – Spicy vanilla, dry but balanced and rounded
- Roasted French Mocha – Dark chocolate, roasted coffee, char, long, dry finish with a hint of sweetness
- Toasted French Spice – Spicy fruitiness, cinnamon, smoky spices, astringent
- Roasted French Mendiant (New 2021) – Traditional French confection featuring chocolate, dried fruit, and nuts
Also, because Maker’s Mark has one of the lowest barrel entry proofs (110) their barrel proof whisky is smooth and drinkable without killing your palate after one glass.
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Table of Contents
Rob Samuel’s Private Select 2020 Review
| Rob Samuel's Private Select 2020 | Details |
|---|---|
| Mashbill | 70% corn, 16% red winter wheat, and 14% barley |
| Finishing Staves | 2 Seared French Cuvee 4 Roasted French Mocha 4 Toasted French Spice |
| In the Bottle | 110.2 Proof |
| ABV | 55.1% |
| Age | NAS (up to 6 years) |
| Size | 750 mL |
| Suggested MSRP | Gift Set Only |
| Parent Company | Beam Suntory |
| Distillery | Maker's Distillery at Star Hill Farm 3350 Burks Spring Rd. Loretto, KY 40037 |
| Pros | Phenomenal Complexity and Finish |
| Cons | Needs More Sweetness on Finish |
| Rating | Gold 93.2 out of 100 Points |
| Inventory | This gift has been released at least the last two years at my local Costco. I plan on picking it up for 2021 |
Anyone who has been to Maker’s knows the picture above is part of this amazing art installation ceiling in one of their warehouses at the end of your tour which leads into the gift shop. Drinking this MMPS from Rob Samuels reminded me of this ceiling. The stave combos added complexity and beauty to an already classic bourbon.
Nose – 93 out of 100 Point
I’ve never had a Maker’s with such an oak forward nose. It’s perfectly balanced with caramel, toffee, barrel char, and baking spice.
Taste – 94 out of 100 Points
The mouthfeel is creamy with notes of spicy chocolate. The side of the palate is black pepper and cinnamon. The back of the palate is charred oak and brown sugar. I also get a pop of cherry sweetness.
Finish – 94 out of 100 Points
The finish is long which is strange for a Maker’s. It’s charred oak, cinnamon, and just a hint of cherry.
Complexity – 93 out of 100 Points
I’m loving what’s going on with this Rob Samuel’s Private Select. It’s jam-packed with flavors. They all play nicely together. It’s got a lot going on, but it’s cohesive.
Value – 92 out of 100 Points
The Rob Samuel’s Private Select came in a gift set with a Maker’s Cask Strength and a 46 Cask Strength. It’s 375 mL. The only complaint I have is that I wish I could buy a full 750 mL of this Private Select.
Verdict – Gold 93.2 out of 100 Points
Maker’s Mark Private Select — A Duo of Picks Review
A few years back I did a review of two separate Maker’s Mark store picks from the upstate of South Carolina. They two could not be more different. Check out my review over at Bourbon Sippers.
MMPS Total Wine GVL Roasted Nut Nut Review
| Total Wine GVL Roasted Nut Nut | Details |
|---|---|
| Mashbill | 70% corn, 16% red winter wheat, and 14% barley |
| Finishing Staves | 2 Baked America Pure 2 1 Seared French Cuvee 5 Roasted French Mocha 2 Toasted French Spice |
| In the Bottle | 107.8 Proof |
| ABV | 53.9% |
| Age | NAS (up to 6 years) |
| Size | 750 mL |
| Suggested MSRP | $90 |
| Parent Company | Beam Suntory |
| Distillery | Maker's Distillery at Star Hill Farm 3350 Burks Spring Rd. Loretto, KY 40037 |
| Pros | Solid Nose |
| Cons | Lacks Complexity |
| Rating | Bronze 85 out of 100 Points |
| Inventory | Pass for This Particular Stave Combo |
Nose – 86 out of 100 Points
I get creamy hazelnut and subtle oak. Also, just a hint of vanilla. Not much else going on with this nose. Solid but kind of boring.
Taste – 87 out of 100 Points
More of that creamy hazelnut, dark chocolate, and black coffee. There’s also some white pepper that lingers and spiciness that sits on your tongue.
Finish – 85 out of 100 Points
This Private Select offers a short finish. What lingers is at the front of the palate.
Complexity – 84 out of 100 Points
The complexity just wasn’t there for me. It needed something to unify the flavors present. As it stands, it was every man for himself.
Value – 83 out of 100 Points
For a bourbon at this price point, I want more flavor, more complexity, and just more of everything.
Verdict – Bronze 85 out of 100 Points
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Written by Matty Sims
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