A highly-enjoyable Bourbon that won't blow your ears off.

Maker’s Mark didn’t start as a family drama series but as an adventure quest to find Bourbon that would taste just right and wouldn’t demolish your taste buds, or, in the wise words of Bill Samuels, Sr.: “Give me a Bourbon that won’t blow my ears off!”

Bill and Margie Samuels experimented with different flavoring grains and finally changed the traditional rye grain for a more squishy, red winter wheat. This swap gave Maker’s Mark Bourbon its unique subtle sweetness. What also makes their bottles special is the signature red wax topper on the top, a homemade invention by Margie. The work of pewter whitesmiths inspired her to make the brand signature ‘SIV’ logo, just like the Maker’s Marks that the smithies would use to mark their proudest work. The brand is still family-owned and operated, as it has passed from father to son to grandson with the words of wisdom that stuck throughout generations—“Don’t screw up the Whisky.”

As with the previous Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series, the story of this Bourbon begins with a fully matured, cask strength expression. Finished in barrels containing the proprietary wood staves, it's imparted with that extra bit of velvety flavor. The practice of hand-barrel rotation and temperature (BRT) takes center stage in the 2022 edition. BRT-01 is inspired by the tasting notes found at the hotter top of the rickhouse. The hotter, the better, right? As for the taste and strength, BRT-01 comes at you at an impressive 54.7% ABV and boasts flavors such as brown treacle and toffee caramel, followed by hints of stoned fruit and a finish of bee pollen and royal jelly.