Gordon's DTX, my friendly local liquor store, has the good fortune to be able to create Private Select Maker's Mark bourbon. Sampling that alongside the rest of the Maker's Mark Bourbon lineup is a treat!
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One of the truly nice things about going to a neighborhood liquor store is the personalized service you receive from people who are experts in the field.
That’s not to say you can’t get help in big-box retail stores, but knowing that you can ask a question, request an item, or attend fun whisky tastings and meet new people is a real perk.
Another perk is that at said tastings you can sample products that have been specially created just for that store. That’s right, the owners and/or whisky specialists can go visit a distillery and choose how a specific barrel will be cask aged, thus creating something unique and special.
Ken Gordon (owner and manager of Gordon's DTX, my local liquor store) and Holly Seidenwand (Gordon’s current whisky specialist) have done just that many times, and their latest release was their Maker’s Mark Private Select bourbon.
Flavor your own bourbon
Like Jim Beam & Knob Creek Bourbons, Maker’s Mark bourbon is a stalwart in the world of bourbon.
In this instance, Ken & Holly chose a specific Maker’s Mark barrel, then combined the barrel staves (the wood that makes up a barrel) to create a unique flavor profile for the bourbon.
Gordon's Stave Choices
- X 3 Baked American Pure 2
- X 4 Seared French Cuvee
- X 1 Maker's 46
- X 1 Roasted French Mocha
- X 1 Toasted French Spice
An interesting mix, no? Let’s see how it came out…
My Tasting Notes
Maker's Mark & Maker's Mark Private Select Bourbon
At Gordon's DTX, November 1, 2017
Maker's Mark Original
45% ABV
Type: American
Keywords: American Whiskey, Bourbon, Whiskey
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Bright, oak, burnt sugar
- Taste: Starts with sweetness, warm spice cinnamon
- Finish: A little astringent, lingers long with the soft spices
Comments
Maker's Mark Original was one of the first bourbons I ever tried, and it’s a solid favorite.
Maker's Mark Cask Strength
56.1% ABV
Type: American
Keywords: American Whiskey, Bourbon, Cask Strength, Whiskey
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Sharp cinnamon, corn more pronounced, slightly lemon
- Taste: Thick in body, heavier spiciness, more pine, the sweetness is balanced with the cloves
- Finish: The burn on the back of the throat lingers with caramel & cloves
Comments
A more complex version of MM, character is present, the thick body stays in the mouth; my favorite of this pour list.
Gordon's Private Select Maker's Mark Cask Strength
55.4% ABV
Type: American
Keywords: American Whiskey, Bourbon, Cask Strength, Whiskey
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Roses, vanilla, slight raisins, thick
- Taste: The high proof dominates, but the body is thick, the sweet corn dissolves into a myriad cinnamon and oak
- Finish: The finish goes up the nose, the warm spice lingers into a bit of darkness mocha and tobacco
Comments
It’s got character & body. The rose scent was a nice surprise, a real treat; with water, get evergreen on the nose, softens it to a peppermints and sweetness, finishing piney and soft; I enjoyed this sample very much.
Maker's Mark 46
47% ABV
Type: American
Keywords: American Whiskey, Bourbon, Whiskey
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Vanilla and burnt sugar, not much else
- Taste: Vanilla and caramel, thick body, cloves
- Finish: The taste doesn’t last long, it’s more a feeling in the roof of the mouth
Comments
Not as impressed; doesn’t have a lot of character, so I was a bit let down.
Final thoughts
The catch about Private Select barrels is that the supply is quite limited. Once they’re gone, they’re gone.
Usually there is a price premium to them as well that keeps me from purchasing as many as I would like, but I sometimes splurge on a bottle that really intrigues me. And because these bottlings are so unique, they make really interesting gifts for the whisky lover in your life (to my family…hint, hint).
If you have a local store that offers private bottlings, I highly encourage you to try them.
I hope you like this review! If you've tried any of the expressions and have your own tasting notes, please leave a comment. Thanks!
Slainté! L’chaim! Cheers!
- Tammy
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