Alcohols By Volume (ABV) » Bourbon Whiskey

Tasting Notes: Maker’s Mark Review

Derrick Schommer — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:40:10 +0000

Founded in 1889, Maker’s Mark is a small-batch bourbon whiskey distilled in Loretto Kentucky. The Maker’s Mark brand is a fairly well marketed branding which may give new consumers pause, many big market brands spend more money on marketing than product taste. Maker’s Mark, however, breaks the mold by creating a cost effective tasting experience.

Maker’s Mark puts most of their marketing effort into their 90-Proof (45% ABV) bottled bourbon. You’ll also find Maker’s Mark being one of the few American Whiskey brands that utilize the Scotch “Whisky” spelling–often times this tells about the roots of the company (Scottish roots lean towards Scottish spelling).

Smell: Brown Sugar, Oak, Cinnamon with the burn of alcohol mingled in the sweetness.

Taste: Smooth and dry light bodied (a bit watery) with dark charred oaks and an intense alcoholic burn.

Cost: For a brand with lots of market momentum the cost is very affordable at USD $22.99 (in our area). The flavors are well worth the cost in our opinion.

Combined Rating:

Smell: 4.0 / 5.0
Taste: 4.0 / 5.0
Cost: 5.0 / 5.0
End Score: 4.3 / 5.0

Summary: We found, in our blind tastings, that the Buffalo Trace and Maker’s Mark are at the same level of competitive taste, cost and nose. Thankfully, both bring their own unique flavors so separate them from being too like in properties. The Maker’s Mark brings more charred oaks while the Buffalo Trace takes on a bit more spice so it’s important to taste them both for yourself and make a final decision. The cost is affordable and the flavors are memorable and that’s very much all you need for a good core spirit.

Watch our Whiskey Blind Tasting Now.

Tasting Notes: Buffalo Trace Bourbon Review

Derrick Schommer — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:24:57 +0000

Since 1870 it has been known by several names, including most notably, the George T. Stagg Distillery and O.F.C. Distillery. Approximately 30-35 barrels of aged whiskey are selected from the middle floors of Warehouses C, I and K. Samples from these barrels are reviewed by the distillery’s tasting panel. If any one taster rejects a sample, the barrel it represents will not be used for Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

Buffalo Trace Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey is 90-Proof (45% ABV).

Smell: White pepper, caramel, oak and sugars.

Taste: Initially sweet with a caramel mid-palate transition and a finish of oak mixed with spicy pepper. There are some big alcohols in the first few sips, but your palate gets used to it quickly.

Cost: At USD $23, this is an exceptional deal. You’re getting a balance of flavors that can be sipped straight or built into a cocktail without feeling you’re spending too much money to create the cocktail.

Combined Rating:

Smell: 4.0 / 5.0
Taste: 4.0 / 5.0
Cost: 5.0/5.0
End Score: 4.3 / 5.0

Summary: Buffalo Trace Bourbon really nails the flavor profile for the USD $23.00. You don’t feel ripped off and you’re really not expecting too much additional intense flavors or complexity for the dollar. You’ll definitely be impressed with its impact in a cocktail without having to mortgage your house to make it.

Watch our Whiskey Blind Tasting Now.

Tasting Note: Woodford Reserve Review

Derrick Schommer — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:43:39 +0000

Woodford Reserve is a small batch bourbon whiskey, every bottle is individually numbered with batch and bottle identification. Originally distilled as far back as 1812, Woodford Reserve is considered a “hand crafted” whiskey and will probably cost a bit more money than a mid-tier whiskey.

Smell: Almost a tequila-like smell, brine, sea salts without too much sweetness. Very muted in whiskey-like bouquet.

Taste: Very smooth on the palate, medium body with hints of oak, slight burnt rubber and a bright “cold” burn more akin to a mint cold (without the mint flavor). Clean finish.

Cost: The “small batch” labeling may be what drives the price up to roughly USD $29.99. The price shows this whiskey as a higher end product than a USD $12 whiskey, but the price might be a bit too steep for the small story the taste is telling.

Combined Rating:

Smell: 3.0/5.0
Taste: 3.0/5.0
Cost: 3.0/5.0
End Score: 3.0/5.0

Summary: Not as potent as the Knob Creek bourbon but similar in overall qualities. While it doesn’t bring a ton of burn it also doesn’t bring a whole lot of complex flavors for the price. If Woodford Reserve was USD $7 less, it would be a much more worthwhile purchase for those looking to upgrade from a Jim Beam quality whiskey.

Watch our Whiskey Blind Tasting Now.

Tasting Notes: Knob Creek Bourbon Review

Derrick Schommer — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:00:17 +0000

Bottled at 100-Proof, this Kentucky Straight Bourbon is a bit more intense than the standard 80-Proof bourbon. Produced by the Jim Beam distillery, Knob Creek’s job is to raise itself to a higher standard of bourbon compared to the Jim Beam line of products.

Smell: Huge sugars, muted scents with big alcohol nose–this is the closest thing to alcohol candy that you’ll find! Subtle oaks do not overwhelm the nose.

Taste: Smooth with great viscosity and a full-bodied flavor which is dominated by potent alcohols. While there is a bit of oak in the finish, the overall spirit is distracted by its fire.

Cost: This product commands a higher price than the Jim Beam product, it seems… almost double the cost. You’ll probably find it for anywhere from USD $25.00 to USD $30 compared to the USD $12 to USD $20 of the Jim Beam. This is a big boy whiskey, requiring you to understand its 100-Proof personality to respect its overall cost.

Combined Rating:

Smell: 3.0/5.0
Taste: 3.0/5.0
Cost: 3.0/5.0
End Score: 3.0/5.0

Summary: Overall, this is an intense spirit that commands a fairly high cost for the fairly basic complexity. While the nose is sweet but brings intense burn to the nasal passages yet maintains a very mature smoothness that’s hard to beat. Compared to Jim Beam or the quality of that standard of whiskey, this is above par in smoothness but does that make it the best on the market? Not exactly. Overall, Knob Creek is more potent than personality.

Watch our Whiskey Blind Tasting Now.