Maker's Mark 46 Cask Strength and 12 Year

[TheSkinFlautist]

Word on the street is Rob Samuels and Greg Davis wIill, at long last, be offering a cask strength bottling of Maker's Mark 46 (albeit gift shop only) followed closely by a standard issue Maker's Mark 12 Year with a cask strength bottling of the same soon after. Operating under the assumption these rumors are true, I am more excited for the release of Maker's Mark 12 Year Cask Strength than any other this season. What does StraightBourbon think?

[jp_stargazer]

I had heard about the MM46 cask strength but not the 12 Year at 90 proof (I'm assuming) and cask strength. I enjoy the three current offerings (MM, MM46, MMCS) but I am now really excited for a 12 year old Maker's. Interested to see how it would taste when compared with other wheated bourbons of the same/similar age, especially W12. I hope the standard proof offering of the 12 Year will be ~$35 (which seems fair compared to similarly aged EC12, JB 12, ER10, WTRR, and an assortment of 10 yr HH expressions). But probably won't be. :skep:

Jason

[Jazz Nut]

This is very exciting, and am glad Maker's Mark is doing this. Hopefully, these can be nationwide releases soon.

[ken_mays]

Sounds good. I think MMCS drinks a lot older than it actually is, so it would be interesting to try a 12 yo expression.

[KyleCBreese]

I'm scared to think what the MM12CS will cost.

[suntour]

Yes and no, though. MMCS ain't exactly flying off the shelf at $75 a fifth. Still, I could easily imagine a $50/$100 375/750ml pricing.

[kjbeggs]

I had heard that the MM46 CS rollout would be similar to the MMCS- Gift shop, then retail 375s, with 750's to follow.

Hadn't heard about the 12 year, but I suppose they want to capitalize on the "Older is better" myth that is raging currently.

I'll bet the 12 YO will have an MSRP north of $75.00, and hope I'm wrong.

Guess they have recovered from the shortage that had them planning to drop proof on MM a couple of years ago.

[shoshani]

I pawned one nostril for a case of MMCS. I still have another nostril to pawn for a case of MMCS12YO. (Why a case? Because here today doesn't necessarily mean here tomorrow. )

[TheSkinFlautist]

I would happily pay $80 for a 750ml Maker's Mark 12 Year CS for at least the first few months. Speculation regarding the quality of bourbon that may or may not exist is silly but I have high hopes.

P.S. If anyone reading this lives near Maker's Mark, please shoot me a message.

[DonutsNBourbon]

I'm scared to think what the MM12CS will cost.

exactly this... if it's more than the regular MMCS, which it most likely will be, I don't see how I could justify buying a bottle. I only picked up the 750ml bottle when it was on sale at binny's for $50, I didn't think it was worth more than that. especially when EC12 is around $30, I can't see paying much more for it even at CS.

[T Comp]

Plenty will be interested in the 12 year but it is interesting that the MM cask, from what I see, not exactly flying off the shelves in this area. Plenty around at $50 for 750 ml. Doesn't seem to have excited the regular Makers drinker or enthusiasts.

Edited September 2, 2015 by T Comp

[Paddy]

I'm glad to see MM start living up to their potential, now with the 46, MMCS, a potential 12 yr CS and 46 CS... I haven't bit on the MMCS as of yet, but this is an encouraging trend for a distillery that, up to a few years ago, seemed to pride itself on being a one trick pony.

[The Black Tot]

So far I bought a bottle of MMCS on my last day in Texas last time, but had to choose a lighter bottle to make my 50lb luggage limit so I didn't get to open it and try it.

I bought it because I was excited about the whole "tastes a lot like older, richer whiskeys" reviews by experienced people around here. I like every one of those that I've tried, so that's a very good sign.

I have a personal bias about wheaters needing to be above 100 proof to pop for me. The low proof of prior Makers releases is what kept me away. Is this the beginning of my Makers devotion?

The 12yr cask strength has got me really excited, since I like the oaky side of things and basically this could end up filling the niche I've been thinking about lately for the old style of big, rich whiskeys that the majors seem to think nobody wants anymore.

Personally, I think Heaven Hill is dropping a pretty lucrative ball not offering a Larceny or OF cask strength regular release. Everyone seems to like the OF12 that hardly anyone can get anymore. Proof THAT up, and you'd have a pretty hot bottle.

[flahute]

I have a few 375's of the MMCS and I'm mixed on it. Some days it's pretty darn satisfying. Most days it comes off too hot (which makes sense because it's cask strength) but the hotness remains even after adding a little water. I keep thinking dang, this would really be great if it had a few more years in the barrel. If 12yr CS happens I'm in for one bottle for sure unless it's north of $100.

MM46CS we know is true because the TTB labels have been approved. I'm definitely in for one of these. I'm not in the mood for the standard version very often, but when I am, I go to it for 3-4 days in a row. An amped up CS version should be able to find its way into my wheelhouse.

[TheSkinFlautist]

Maker's Mark 46 Cask Strength has been released and is available at their gift shop as of today September 3, 2015.

[Phil T]

That must be a typo, it surely is not that cheap

[amg]

That must be a typo, it surely is not that cheap

The TTB label approval only listed a 375ml size, so I'm guessing it's $39.95 for a 375ml.

[meadeweber]

$39.99 for a 375ml sounds about right given the cost of MMCS.

[kcgumbohead]

I would be interested in the 12yr/12cs. MM always reads too young and hot to me and leaves me wondering about its potential with a proper age on it (for me thats 8-12). Several have posted about "old" MM being darker and likely much older that the recent version so getting to try some would be a treat.

[jackthedog]

I finally tried the MM46 I'd been holding onto and was pleasantly surprised. I'm not a huge fan of MM but would definitely try the CS version of either.

[mbroo5880i]

I am all for new products from major producers with age and/or proof increases. The key will be price and availability.

[fricky]

I just received an e-mail from Makers Mark reporting that barrel proof Makers 46 is available at the distillery's visitor center.

[Tony Santana]

When I first started getting out of my Jack Daniels phase, MM and KC were my standard bearers. Like many around here, I've largely moved on from MM, now finding it less than exciting. Not bad, mind you, but not terribly challenging. I like the MM46 better, and the MMCS better as well, although the latter hasn't wowed me with the higher proof as much as I had hoped. But at this point any climb up the age and proof ladder is welcome, and I'd definitely spring for at least one .375 of MM46CS and the rumored MM12.

[Fort Knox]

Picked up 2 bottles of MM46CS yesterday. The nose on it is pretty good, to me at least. I get a bit of wood, but also a good bit of sweetness, like birthday cake. It's pretty good stuff. Not too hot at 108.9 proof, but definitely a little more zing than regular MM46.

[TheOakMonster]

Surely they can't be releasing an older version of MM. After all, during the distillery tour and tasting the tour guide stresses MM is the perfect age as released. I mean, they even pour an over-aged sample during the tasting portion to demonstrate the negative effects of over-aging on MM.