New Maker's Mark Expression in 2010

[ILLfarmboy]

Where are the people who are going to rail that "it isn't bourbon!" because they did something to it after the fact?

[ErichPryde]

does a toasted barrel do something to the spirit that a charred barrel does not?

I see this as a bit gimmicky, but on the whole I see nothing wrong with this, or double barreling for that matter.

To equate this with adding fruit concentrates is, well, a little odd.

Fruit concentrate?

since bourbon has to be aged in charred, new white oak barrels, there are definitely going to be some people who freak out and think this isn't bourbon. It's like the whiskey/whisky debate, some people get really serious over stuff like this.

[ILLfarmboy]

Fruit concentrate?

since bourbon has to be aged in charred, new white oak barrels, there are definitely going to be some people who freak out and think this isn't bourbon. It's like the whiskey/whisky debate, some people get really serious over stuff like this.

Chuck was referring to the Red Gag controversy, I'm sure. Fruit concentrate or essence, what does Beam use?

I don't recall a similar a controversy over Pritchard's Double Barrel. Sure, it's kinda non-standard practice and there was a question of how to define the exact age etc. and a discussion of barrel notes overpowering the distillate's taste qualities, but nothing like the Red Gag threads.

[jburlowski]

you mean you're not?

When I last used the phrase (And if I were good-looking and talented, I'd be a a movie star.) at work, several of the women responded in chorus: "Come-on John, you're talented."

[MMDistiller]

Hi All,

Thought I would weigh in with a brief comment on the MM expression...I didn't use a toasted barrel to make our new bourbon. We did something different.....

Kevin Smith

Master Distiller MMD

[cowdery]

You can mince it however you want, Brad, but I think it a difference of degree, not of kind.

People don't scream about sherry cask finished SMS, but they probably would scream if you added an ounce of sherry to every bottle. Admittedly, because it's wood, it's more like the arguments about JD than about Red Stag. Wood chips are an old moonshiner trick and there is a commercial product out that is essentially a charred oak corkscrew, that is supposed to impart wood flavors in record time.

The closest parallel is probably to what Woodford did with Seasoned Oak Finish, as in addition to long seasoning those barrels were toasted, not charred.

Since I assume Hansell has the straight dope, what MM did was take mature whiskey, re-barrel it, then put toasted oaks staves in the barrel. It's still "bourbon and...," in this case a toasted oak finish.

I have an idea. Instead of toasted or charred oak, how about deep fried?

[MMDistiller]

Hi Dave, Hope all is well. Thanks for sharing the info on the proof question. Ran into TBlincoe this morning and he told me he saw you this week. We need chat soon, got some catching up to do.

Talk to you,

Kevin

[barturtle]

Hi All,

Thought I would weigh in with a brief comment on the MM expression...I didn't use a toasted barrel to make our new bourbon. We did something different.....

Kevin Smith

Master Distiller MMD

You mind elaborating?

[MMDistiller]

Hi Chuck,

Great discussion. As you can imagine, I am pretty excited...can't wait to let you taste it. Oh, and it is different from the stuff they did up the road.

Kevin Smith

Master Distiller MMD

[CorvallisCracker]

I have an idea. Instead of toasted or charred oak, how about deep fried?

Plus soaking the staves in a solution of eleven secret herbs and spices.

[kickert]

Hi All,

Thought I would weigh in with a brief comment on the MM expression...I didn't use a toasted barrel to make our new bourbon. We did something different.....

Kevin Smith

Master Distiller MMD

Thanks for joining the conversation Kevin.

Hasn't it already been discussed that seasoned oak staves were added to the barrel?

[jburlowski]

At least according to the sample botle pictured on John Hansell's blog, this is going to be called Star Hill Farm Bourbon Whisky.

[OscarV]

The label also says, "Barrel Finished with Toasted Oak Staves."

I'm not expecting much from this but I'll get a bottle of course.

The name Star Hill Farm is a good name.

MM is worried that a new expression might hurt the sales of the Red Wax stuff.

If they use that name and say it's from the Star Hill Farm distillery maybe they'll produce more expressions.

[SBOmarc]

We have been asking/begging on this site for MM to try something different. Well, they are. I look forward to tasting it, but I don't get all of this complaining...MM did something!

[SMOWK]

MM did something!

HEAR HEAR! I'm anxious to try it, as I am with anything I have yet to sample.

[fishnbowljoe]

We have been asking/begging on this site for MM to try something different. Well, they are. I look forward to tasting it, but I don't get all of this complaining...MM did something!

I feel the same way. MM was my gateway bourbon. I'll always have a bottle of it on my shelf. Can't wait to try the new stuff.

As for a name, how about Mark II.

Thank you very much for joining us here at SB Kevin. The more the merrier. It's always nice to have members that are in the industry. It's a special treat to have a Master Distiller on board. Welcome. Joe

[spun_cookie]

Maker's already has a 94 proof bourbon that goes to Japan... It has a black label... so, all they are doing is keeping here right?

There has not been a change in their process is there?

... and they already have a label for a 101 proofer... they should keep put that one out as well.

[Josh]

Maker's already has a 94 proof bourbon that goes to Japan... It has a black label... so, all they are doing is keeping here right?

There has not been a change in their process is there?

Yes, there has. The oak staves.

[camduncan]

We have been asking/begging on this site for MM to try something different. Well, they are. I look forward to tasting it, but I don't get all of this complaining...MM did something!

My sentiments exactly! Makes has been very good to Australia for a lot of years now. I plan on supporting them for may more to come!:grin: Can't wait to try the new expression should it makes its way down here :skep: :cool:

[HighTower]

Makers iMark 2.0

Oh no I didn't!!

[George]

I'm a fan of MM and looking forward to trying this new juice. I'm curious to see how they price it.

[ILLfarmboy]

Now that I know it is "Barrel Finished with Toasted Oak Staves", not re-barreled in toasted oak I'm less interested than I was before. Didn't the wine industry try this and abandon it because of unsatisfactory results?

I'll try a bottle anyhow, but it isn't something I'm real jazzed about.

[jburlowski]

I believe that it would still be bourbon, just not straight bourbon.

[callmeox]

Random thoughts on this thread:

Looking forward to trying it to compare against the standard MM.

I've considered MM to be 1/2 of a bourbon (no finish whatsoever) so any additional barrel flavors would be a nice change.

With just one expression and (until recently made public) very little experimentation, is the job of Master Distiller at MM the most plain vanilla of the bourbon distillers?

Perhaps SB should look into licensing the Goggles technology that Google has enabled for Gmail. :grin: http://gmailblog.blogspot.com/2008/10/new-in-labs-stop-sending-mail-you-later.html

[OscarV]

I've considered MM to be 1/2 of a bourbon (no finish whatsoever)

is the job of Master Distiller at MM the most plain vanilla of the bourbon distillers?

If Bud Light didn't already use the term "Drinkability" in their advertisments it would be perfect for MM.