Maker's Mark Cask Strength

[DPPSmoker]

I was at the KBF last week with Vosgar and we each bought a couple of bottles of MMCS at the distillery last Thursday. We weren't interested in a tour, so we didn't get to taste it first. Figured we'd take a chance. A group of us were just hanging out at the GN Friday, and BourbonJoe opened up a bottle for us to try. Vosgar headed back to MM on Friday and grabbed us a few more. :grin: Thanks Joe and Gary! :cool:

I think it's pretty darned good. There's a sweetness on entry, but not overly so. It's something akin to cotton candy or candy corn. At mid palate it warms up nicely with some caramel and vanilla showing itself. The overall mouthfeel is fairly rich and surprisingly viscous. The finish is nice and long with the warmness continuing. Good stuff IMHO.

The future of the MMCS seems to be a bit cloudy. According to a representative at the distillery, bottles will only be available at the MM gift shop for the time being. They aren't sure if it will be an ongoing product at the distillery, and/or if they'll make it a permanent part of the MM product line. Time will tell. Hopefully they'll add it permanently, along with an appropriately adjusted price point.

Cheers! Joe

Hi Joe. I picked up some MMCS bottles at the distillery gift shop as well. Did you notice the sign at the register that stated something like, "The prices on bourbon are higher so as not to be competitive with local retail stores"? I found that interesting. Most of us on here realize that all of the distillery gift shop engage in this practice but it was the first time I ever saw a sign like that. Maybe there is hope that the price of MMCS will be lower if and when it reaches retail stores.

[GaryT]

I hate to be the voice of dissent on this one, but everyone knows what opinions are like, right?

So - my dad and I caught the last tour on Thursday (which they let us catch up to the group and never charged us - a nice perk!) specifically so we could taste this before deciding to buy. I'm glad we did, as we both found it a notch above MM46, but not such a leap beyond it for the price being charged. I would love to do a blind SBS of this and OWA, as I suspect I would like them about the same. I do love OWA - so don't get me wrong; I'm not saying MMCS is "bad" or anything - just saying that for the price, I couldn't pull the trigger.

Tastes differ, and I'm glad it hits some folks the right way. Just wasn't in line with what I'm willing to pay that kinda cabbage for.

[tigerlam92]

Took a good size pour before I run to a long workout/sports.

Agree, this is surprisingly good. No preconception of what it could taste since I never had the regular MM.

With some melted ice, neat later, this is surprisingly rich and viscous (clearly not as thick as ECBP).

Everything as Joe stated.

One thing I noticed that hasn't been mentioned is that it tastes older than I thought with some good amount of age and wood. This is coming from someone who likes older bourbon.

I feel this one will get much better once it opens up more since I notice a very slight off note but overall quite good and balance.

I like it. Will have some more later tonight.

[bin31z]

That's funny because I've never had MM before either but when I saw cask strength, I couldn't stop myself!

Took a good size pour before I run to a long workout/sports.

Agree, this is surprisingly good. No preconception of what it could taste since I never had the regular MM.

With some melted ice, neat later, this is surprisingly rich and viscous (clearly not as thick as ECBP).

Everything as Joe stated.

One thing I noticed that hasn't been mentioned is that it tastes older than I thought with some good amount of age and wood. This is coming from someone who likes older bourbon.

I feel this one will get much better once it opens up more since I notice a very slight off note but overall quite good and balance.

I like it. Will have some more later tonight.

[jvd99]

All this MM talk induced me to buy a 46 from Costco and I'm not regretting it. Hoping for the CS be a wider release soon!

[bin31z]

Apparently Dave Driscoll said it is a general release and he posted on SKU's blog that K&L should be getting it today (30th) from their distributors if they are lucky. Other CA distributor should be getting it within the week.

Edited September 30, 2014 by bin31z

[Conquistador]

And K&L sold their entire shipment already, even with a limit of 1 per customer. Oh well, I'll just have to wait for another opportunity to purchase this product.

Apparently Dave Driscoll said it is a general release and he posted on SKU's blog that K&L should be getting it today (30th) from their distributors if they are lucky. Other CA distributor should be getting it within the week.

[bin31z]

Jeez...the thirst for bourbon is real...

[Tony]

And K&L sold their entire shipment already, even with a limit of 1 per customer. Oh well, I'll just have to wait for another opportunity to purchase this product.

Any idea on size and price? Is it the same as the gift shop?

Best regards, Tony

[Kpiz]

Any idea on size and price? Is it the same as the gift shop?

Best regards, Tony

[PaulO]

I couldn't help myself and had to do the math. If a 750ml of regular 90 proof MM sells for $25. What should a 750ml of regular MM at 112 proof sell for?

$25 = X

90 112

The answer is $31.11 :bigeyes: :smiley_acbt:

[dcbt]

I couldn't help myself and had to do the math. If a 750ml of regular 90 proof MM sells for $25. What should a 750ml of regular MM at 112 proof sell for?

$25 = X

90 112

The answer is $31.11 :bigeyes: :smiley_acbt:

[Tony]

375ml bottle and they were charging $39.99. Is that the same as the gift shop?

[bin31z]

Along this line of thinking, Thomas Handy should be like 30 bucks a bottle. You can put water in but you can't take it out .

I couldn't help myself and had to do the math. If a 750ml of regular 90 proof MM sells for $25. What should a 750ml of regular MM at 112 proof sell for?

$25 = X

90 112

The answer is $31.11 :bigeyes: :smiley_acbt:

[GaryT]

Along this line of thinking, Thomas Handy should be like 30 bucks a bottle. You can put water in but you can't take it out .

My thoughts exactly when it comes to proof costing (and there are some folks who don't like Handy for this very reason - which is more for me!!!) For me though, I think at the current age/proof it is comparable to OWA, until the price tag.

Granted - the tour tasting is very small, but as that was the only place I could get my hands on it - I thought the obligation was theirs to bring the "wow" factor in the 1/4 sip if they want to wring $40 from me for a half bottle. Just didn't do it for me.

[Harry in WashDC]

Here's a link to a review by Fritz Hahn, a local "Going Out Guide" reporter who likes bourbon, with tasting notes that appeared in the Washington Post online on 8 Oct. It says, it part, the only place in WashDC to get a taste NOW is at Jack Rose or at either Bourbon (the bars' name) location. Links to the bars' websites appear in the online article. Barrel and All Souls (other bars) will be getting some later this month, he says Theo Rutherford, MM rep, told him. Only 10 cases are allocated to WashDC. Bottles for retail sale are only available at the gift shop in Loretto. Check out those prices - $19 for a 2 oz. shot.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/going-out-guide/wp/2014/10/08/this-thing-you-should-try-makers-mark-cask-strength-bourbon/?hpid=z14

Edited October 9, 2014 by Harry in WashDC
clarify my comments

[tigerlam92]

Although he said only 10 cases to DC, they are cases of 12 bottles such as image below.

[HD 335]

Although he said only 10 cases to DC, they are cases of 12 bottles such as image below.

[ATTACH]19524[/ATTACH]

Did you just buy two cases Hugh? I think you bunker will over flow soon.

[tigerlam92]

Hahaha. Andrew, I cannot answer that question.

No, I didn't buy all two cases that'll be crazy.

[Ravensfire]

Hahaha. Andrew, I cannot answer that question.

No, I didn't buy all two cases that'll be crazy.

And we all know there are no crazy, bourbon obsessed people here. Nope. Not a one.

[jvd99]

MMCS is now sitting on the shelf at my local Binny's, about 10 bottles. When it first came in a couple of weeks ago, it wasn't on the shelf and they had a 1 bottle per customer limit going on.

[mbroo5880i]

MMCS is now sitting on the shelf at my local Binny's, about 10 bottles. When it first came in a couple of weeks ago, it wasn't on the shelf and they had a 1 bottle per customer limit going on.

[HOF44]

Nice heads up on it being out in the wild now, just picked up 2 bottles online.

[big pete]

Just picked up a bottle for $35

[bourbonfoot]

I managed to grab a bottle for $31. I know it's only $9 but it's much more palatable at that price. Can't wait to give it a shot!