Maker's Mark Gold???

[AJ123]

Picked up a bottle of Maker's Mark Gold today.

The descriptions and labeling seem to go out of their way not to say that it is any better or older than regular Maker's Mark.

It does say that the batch (19 barrels in the batch I got vs. the @ 40 in regular MM) is smaller and possibly (???) more unique. Nowhere does it say that it is any older than regular MM.

Anyway the bottle is a tad bit more impressive. It's gold instead of red wax.

Also there is no label on the front at all - you send in a few lines and the company will send you back a personalized label:

Personally Selected For

[Your lines here]

Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Ninety Proof

The more I looked at it, the more I thought I could just print off any label I want off my computer and stick it on the bottle, so I don't know if I will send it in or not. There is no extra charge. The bottle did cost about $7 more than regular MM.

This is new to me. Anyone else taste it? Is it different.

BTW, I've heard rumors that Makers Mark is experimenting with a lot of alternatives and old age super premium collectibles. So far nothing on the market I'm aware of.

[NeoTexan]

Same bourbon, different bottle. Just packaged to allow you to do a "Presentation Bottle" of your own to someone or to remember a special event.

As far as different expressions ..... do not hold your breath. I talk to the master distiller quite often and I have not heard of nor do I believe, based on comments he has made, that there are plans for one.

[Hedmans Brorsa]

The true 101 proof gold wax version looks like this. What you have in your possession seems to be the VIP version.

[AJ123]

Exactly. It is the VIP. If I owned a bar, I'd go right out and have one printed with the bar's name and stick it right up front!

Now you have me interested in the "regular" MM Gold 101 !!!

MM's the bourbon which got me interested in drinking straight (or cut) bourbon alone in preference to scotch, and it's still one of my favorites and resides nicely in both my home bar and the secret stash "for clients:grin: " in my office bar. It's the only brand I never allow to run out.

I think the VIP label thing is a nice idea for gifts and will consider it, but I don't know that many bourbon drinkers and I tend to give clients exactly what they like (my secretary secretly researches with their assistants what they really really want to drink).

The true 101 proof gold wax version looks like this. What you have in your possession seems to be the VIP version.

[AJ123]

Well I admire their integrity with their batches that they do make now. And I like it sufficiently (even after many tastings of others) to keep it as a regular, so I'm not loosing any sleeep over the chance to spend $60 on what I already enjoy for $20!

Same bourbon, different bottle. Just packaged to allow you to do a "Presentation Bottle" of your own to someone or to remember a special event.

As far as different expressions ..... do not hold your breath. I talk to the master distiller quite often and I have not heard of nor do I believe, based on comments he has made, that there are plans for one.

[barturtle]

I have it on good authority that Makers tastes better out of a bottle with your name on it, how much better is up for debate

[NeoTexan]

Now you have me interested in the "regular" MM Gold 101 !!!

Well ..... It WAS a version made just for the Japanese market. No longer made, I'm afraid. There are still some out there on e_bay and from private collector's.

[AJ123]

Ha - LOL. TRUE! So much so, I'm considering getting a second bottle for my other bar and just refilling it with the regular from time to time!

I have it on good authority that Makers tastes better out of a bottle with your name on it, how much better is up for debate

[BourbonJoe]

The true 101 proof gold wax version looks like this.

Alas, I remember it well. Wish I still had a case (or for that matter even a single bottle).

Joe :usflag:

[wku88]

Well ..... It WAS a version made just for the Japanese market. No longer made, I'm afraid. There are still some out there on e_bay and from private collector's.

Actually, it was an export issue, not just for Japan. I had a pour in Berlin a few years ago.

Although, I do remember seeing it on the shelves in KY many,many moons ago, before I was legal. That would have been at least 21 years ago.

[Hedmans Brorsa]

It is still available, albeit in small quantities. The picture I provided comes from a German Internet shop where I bought my current bottle. They ship to the US but apart from your pesky alcohol import rules, I guess the P&P fee will be murderous in nature.

I always took it for granted that it was a Japan only bottling. The few bottles that I have seen for sale over here in Europe have always been quite expensive which I took as a sign of the dealer importing it from Japan.

The even more delicious black wax is definitely still being made. I could mention at least 20 different shops over here who sell it.

[Edward_call_me_Ed]

I have a bottle of Maker's Mark VIP gold wax that is 90 proof. I am not a big fan of Maker's Mark red wax. Nothing against it, just not a favorite. I bought the gold wax a year of so ago and just recently got around to opening it and was pleasantly surprised at how nice it was. I thought it was quite a bit better than the MM red wax. I haven't gotten around to trying it head to head with the red wax yet. It could just be the packaging that I am 'tasting.'

Ed

[BourbonJoe]

Ed,

You are, indeed, tasting the fancy package. The whiskey in the red wax and gold wax are the same. I was told this when I visited Makers Mark last year.

Joe

[NeoTexan]

Actually, it was an export issue, not just for Japan. I had a pour in Berlin a few years ago.

Although, I do remember seeing it on the shelves in KY many,many moons ago, before I was legal. That would have been at least 21 years ago.

I stand corrected ... It's hell getting old and having one thing in your head and typing another.

Thanks

[Edward_call_me_Ed]

I did have them both tonight and didn't notice any great difference. Neither one was particularly good, but that was more a function of how much I drank last night, a lot, than the whiskey. Had a pour of Old Rip Van Winkle 10 year old 90 proof after the Maker's and enjoyed that more. Of course, it comes in a pretty tasty package, too!

Ed

[Hedmans Brorsa]

Ed,

Do you see any 101 proof bottlings over there in Japan?

Just curious whether it has really been discontinued or not.