Cask Strength Maker's

[sku]

I usually just Tweet new label approvals and don't bother to post them here, but some merit a post.

This COLA is for a 375 with no front label. It could be for tastings, gift shop, or some other limited use, but here it is: https://www.ttbonline.gov/colasonlin...14099001000035

[Richnimrod]

I'm confused....

The label says 'Cask Strength'; but it also has ABV 50, 100-proof. Are they required to put that in just for the approval process; then the actual cask strength is added for each offering? ...Or is the barrel proof actually only 100???

In either case; I'd be in for a bottle, especially if it's non-chill filtered; and very especially if it's more like 120-proof.... Now that would be interesting!

[nd2005]

I'm confused....

The label says 'Cask Strength'; but it also has ABV 50, 100-proof. Are they required to put that in just for the approval process; then the actual cask strength is added for each offering? ...Or is the barrel proof actually only 100???

In either case; I'd be in for a bottle, especially if it's non-chill filtered; and very especially if it's more like 120-proof.... Now that would be interesting!

My understanding was they just have to put down some number as a place holder.

Reading this label - what would actually be really cool would be for the Makers Mark ambassadors program - when you get the email that your barrel is mature they sell you a barrel proof sample?

[sku]

My understanding was they just have to put down some number as a place holder.

Reading this label - what would actually be really cool would be for the Makers Mark ambassadors program - when you get the email that your barrel is mature they sell you a barrel proof sample?

You are correct. The abv is just a place holder and they will presumably change it.

Interesting theory about the ambassador program. That could be it as well. It certainly does not look like a label for general distribution.

[kjbeggs]

You are correct. The abv is just a place holder and they will presumably change it.

Interesting theory about the ambassador program. That could be it as well. It certainly does not look like a label for general distribution.

Yes, that would be cool. Of course, I'll still have to wait until around 2019 for my ambassador barrel to be ready...

[squire]

Is this an old idea that's been kicking around or a recent decision by the new owners.

[Josh]

That band with "Maker's Mark Cask Strength" is the front label, is it not?

[sku]

That band with "Maker's Mark Cask Strength" is the front label, is it not?

[Josh]

That's what I thought at first too, but if it's a 375 ml MM that might work as a front label. Anyway, thanks for posting.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

[Conquistador]

On the right side of the front label there is a line of text that reads "Meet The Makers" and 6 boxes below those words. On the MM website, there is a page dedicated to "Meet Your Maker's Makers", which highlights some of the distillery's "family" stories. I'm wondering if this new label for cask strength MM is not only distillery/gift shop-only, but maybe you will need to take a special, more extensive (i.e., more expensive) behind-the-scenes tour to Meet The Makers, before being granted the opportunity to purchase the 375 ml bottle. Or the new tour (still just my wild guess) will be so pricey that the price of the bottle is included in the ticket price. I dunno, maybe the little boxes are for special stamps you get throughout a special "Meet The Makers" tour.

I'm probably completely wrong, but just speculating, since it wasn't too long ago that MM was caught up in the whole lower proof fiasco. I just don't see how they are getting to where their bourbon stocks are to the point where they can sell a lot of cask strength product and meet the demand for their standard MM bourbon.

[mbroo5880i]

It is an interesting label from an industry standard. Cask strength or 100 proof, even in 375s, would be a welcome product if the price is right. While I hope it available more broadly than the gift shop or special tours, it is still a step in the right direction even if that ends up being the market.

[camduncan]

Heck, I'd fly back to KY for a 2nd time this year just to visit Makers to purchase a few of these.....

[Kalessin]

I, for one, will welcome our new cask-strength half-bottle Maker's Mark overlords.

[LCWoody]

I thought they had barrel shortage?

It was less than a year ago they were drooping the proof.

This must be a gift shop release, although I would love to see it hit the market.

[suntour]

I, for one, will welcome our new cask-strength half-bottle Maker's Mark overlords.

YES!

To the supply woes, think about it, 5 years of barrel proof whiskey in a 375mL for $40 is still more profitable than 6-year cut-with-water whiskey in a 750mL for $30.

[393foureyedfox]

YES!

To the supply woes, think about it, 5 years of barrel proof whiskey in a 375mL for $40 is still more profitable than 6-year cut-with-water whiskey in a 750mL for $30.

I'd love to try it as well, but methinks a 375 BP MM should be about $30 (a 750 of the regular is $25 here....so a BP 750 should be more than fair at about $50-60 for a 750). But, I bet you're more likely to be right than my dreams of its pricing

[flahute]

I'm totally game to try one of these. I like the wheated bourbons and cask strength is all the better. The standard Makers is too thin for me so this one is worth a shot.

[gooneygoogoo]

Bring it on...would love to try this. Recently toured Makers and thought the "over aged" was really tasty. Regular Makers just lacks some flavor and is too thin for me so maybe this will do the trick.

[ThirstyinOhio]

I will make the 6 hour drive down the day I hear its available. I enjoy MM and think that a much higher proof version could be outstanding.

[P&MLiquorsEric]

Would not be surprised if it is a gift shop only bottle. They seem to be working for the others.

[Kyjd75]

Here's the "scoop" from MM:

Dear Ambassador,

The time has come to let you in on a little secret: For years we have been privately enjoying “uncut” Maker’s Mark straight from the barrel, and now we are experimenting a bit further.

A very limited supply of Maker’s Mark Cask Strength will be shared with the bartender community, asking them to weigh in on it and use it to make their next handmade cocktail.

This “uncut” or “cask strength” expression is Maker’s Mark pulled directly from the barrel when it has reached its peak maturity. It retains the smoothness and approachability of Maker’s Mark, amplifying those flavors that you, our whisky fans, have come to love over the past 60 years.

Just like people, barrels of bourbon don’t mature at the same rate. Every batch is a little different and unique in its own right – as are the Kentucky summers – so typically the ABV (alcohol by volume) will vary slightly from bottle to bottle, resulting in Cask Strength anywhere from 108–114 proof.

We imagine that you may like to try it as well, so, beginning later this fall, you will be able to experience Maker’s Mark Cask Strength for yourself at our home in Loretto. So please, come on down to the distillery and let us know what you think!

Cheers!

Rob Samuels

Ambassador in Chief

[Conquistador]

Excellent. Thanks for the info, Kyjd75. Copy and pasted as plain text to avoid the black on gray contrast problem.

******

Dear Ambassador,

The time has come to let you in on a little secret: For years we have been privately enjoying “uncut†Maker’s Mark straight from the barrel, and now we are experimenting a bit further.

A very limited supply of Maker’s Mark Cask Strength will be shared with the bartender community, asking them to weigh in on it and use it to make their next handmade cocktail.

This “uncut†or “cask strength†expression is Maker’s Mark pulled directly from the barrel when it has reached its peak maturity. It retains the smoothness and approachability of Maker’s Mark, amplifying those flavors that you, our whisky fans, have come to love over the past 60 years.

Just like people, barrels of bourbon don’t mature at the same rate. Every batch is a little different and unique in its own right – as are the Kentucky summers – so typically the ABV (alcohol by volume) will vary slightly from bottle to bottle, resulting in Cask Strength anywhere from 108–114 proof.

We imagine that you may like to try it as well, so, beginning later this fall, you will be able to experience Maker’s Mark Cask Strength for yourself at our home in Loretto. So please, come on down to the distillery and let us know what you think!

Cheers!

Rob Samuels

Ambassador in Chief

[callmeox]

Wow, giving uncut Makers to bartenders to mix in cocktails.

Woo.

[LCWoody]

If anything, this looks promising in that about one or two years down the road it might hit the market.

P.S. Love the proof range on it. A lot like WT Rare Breed's proof.

[GaryT]

I'm not a big MM fan, but I'll definitely go out of my way to visit them to pick some of this up (provided they have it in stock - my guess is it will go quickly!)