Little Things Mean a Lot

[kbuzbee]

Last year at WhiskeyFest Chicago, Dave Pickerell did a presentation (he's the distiller at Maker's) in which one of the things he gave us to taste was Maker's at, I think, ten years old. Maybe it was twelve.

Whatever it is, they are right not to sell it. If you doubt that 'older is not always better,' this will convince you.

So.... What did it taste like???

Ken

[barturtle]

This may be one of the problems with barrel rotation. When talking to Jimmy Russell, he mentioned that for the Tribute, he had put those barrels in a specific slow-aging portion of the warehouse. IIRC they start out all Makers barrels at the top floor and rotate down(this is assuming that all the barrels are actually rotated). If that barrel of older Makers had followed that regime, but had simply been left in each place longer then they purposely ruined it. Whereas if they had left it in a slower maturing area (I'm guessing low and centered) it likely would have faired much better.

[cowdery]

MM probably can make an older whiskey that tastes good. In Chicago, the master distiller selected a sample that would make his point.

I don't necessarily think bourbon gets better flavor after about eight years, but it definitely gets a different flavor that only comes from extra age, and which can be quite wonderful.

[cowdery]

So.... What did it taste like???

Ken

It was bitter.

[wku88]

I don't necessarily think bourbon gets better flavor after about eight years,

To which I will add my lament of the loss of the old 8yr/86 proof standard... Can we get it back?

[ThomasH]

I think Maker Mark should come out with a barrel strength version, similar to Bookers,Stagg etc. at whatever age they deem to be the optimum for the brand. Beam is a big enough organization and can afford the gamble.

Thomas