Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Batch 21-07

Ultimate Beverage Challenge 91 points -

109.3 proof (54.65% ABV)

Color: Medium-pale orange.

On the nose: The fruitiest nose I can recall on a Maker’s Mark whisky of any expression. There’s a sumptuous note of apple cider, ripe apricots, and even some wild berry aromas in here. A curious note reminiscent of red rocks presents itself, as well as some freshly ground cinnamon and a hint of pine needles.

In the mouth: More sedate to start, this presents an earthy flavor accented by some dried wood notes as it meets the tongue. The thin, airy sweetness of confectioners’ sugar emerges at midpalate, with a tart citric note of lemon juice making a brief appearance. This lapses into an astringent, tart woodiness as it moves into the finish, where the flavors all but vanish. A momentary taste of cinnamon candy is the last impression, before this leaves a residual heat as it the only reminder of its presence.

Conclusions:

My hopes were elevated after my first sniff, with the expectation that even a bit of the nose’s fruitiness would work wonders on the palate. There was really nothing of the sort; instead, the impression is of shrill, brittle notes that don’t have much staying power. In the mouth, this is perhaps the worst batch of Maker’s Cask Strength I have tried yet. I feel compelled to knock two points off average to reflect this.