Whiskey Review/Tasting: Maker's Mark Red Seal

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: Kentucky, USA.
Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon.
Distillation and Maturation Process: Utilizes the old-style sour mash method, where a bit of the last batch's distillate is used to start the fermentation of the new batch, ensuring consistency.
Age Statement: Not explicitly mentioned, but it is fully matured.
Color and Clarity: Not described in detail.
Bottle Design: Notable for its hand-dipped red wax seal, which gives each bottle a unique appearance. The bottle also features a screw cap instead of a cork.

Balance of Flavors: Described as very pleasant, with a balance between sweetness, fruitiness, and oakiness.
Unique Characteristics: The use of wheat in the mash bill contributes to a smoother character. The flavor profile includes aromatic notes common to bourbon, with specific mentions of coffee, sweet vanilla, a slight fruitiness, and developing oakiness that becomes a bit drier.
Comparison: Not directly compared to other whiskies, but its wheated bourbon profile sets it apart from the more common non-wheated bourbons.

Distillery Visit: Horst Luening recounts his visit to the Maker's Mark distillery, highlighting its beautiful appearance and historic significance.
Handmade Aspect: Despite being told the bourbon is handmade and never mass-produced, Luening humorously notes the presence of Maker's Mark miniatures on a Delta flight, suggesting a level of mass production. However, the hand-dipped wax seal and small batch process (less than 19 barrels per batch) emphasize its artisanal quality.

Historic Landmark: The Maker's Mark distillery is a designated Kentucky and National Historic Landmark, underscoring its importance in American whiskey history and culture.
Kentucky Bourbon Tradition: The use of the sour mash method is a tradition among Kentucky bourbon distillers, contributing to the whiskey's consistent quality.

"Fully matured Maker's Mark is America's only handmade bourbon whiskey never mass produced" - highlighting the brand's claim to craftsmanship.
Luening expresses his appreciation for the whiskey's flavor and balance, noting it as a good dram that doesn't overpower the palate before a meal.

Maker's Mark Red Seal is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon known for its smooth character, attributed to the use of wheat in its mash bill.
The whiskey features a unique bottle design with a hand-dipped red wax seal.
Flavor profile includes coffee, sweet vanilla, slight fruitiness, and developing oakiness.
The distillery is a historic landmark, emphasizing its significance in American whiskey history.
Despite claims of being handmade, the brand's wide availability suggests some level of mass production, though it maintains artisanal qualities through its small batch process and hand-dipped seals.
Luening appreciates the whiskey's balance and flavor, recommending it as a pleasant pre-dinner drink.

Bourbon Enthusiasts: Individuals with a deep appreciation for bourbon's rich flavors and history will enjoy Maker's Mark Red Seal for its unique wheated profile and artisanal qualities.
Whiskey Beginners: Those new to whiskey may find the smooth character and pleasant flavor profile of Maker's Mark Red Seal an accessible entry point into bourbon.
Collectors: The distinctive bottle design, especially the hand-dipped wax seal, makes Maker's Mark Red Seal a visually appealing addition to any collection.