Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series "The Heart Release" Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series "The Heart Release" Kentucky Straight Bourbon is the 2024 limited annual release from Maker's Mark's acclaimed Wood Finishing Series. This particular expression marks the beginning of "Chapter 2" for the series, which now focuses on celebrating the teams behind Maker's Mark, with "The Heart Release" specifically honoring the distillery team.  

Key Characteristics:

• Wood Finishing Series: This collection utilizes an innovative wood stave-finishing technique to enhance and deepen the distinctive characteristics already present in Maker's Mark bourbon. It's a testament to the brand's commitment to flavor exploration beyond traditional aging.   
• "The Heart Release" (2024 Edition): This specific release is inspired by the distillery team and aims to capture their "unique taste vision" and the aromas/flavors they experience daily in the heart of the whisky-making process (mills, mash tuns, fermentation).
• French Oak Stave Finishing: The bourbon is finished with 10 virgin French oak staves, which are specially seared and cooked in two different ways. These staves are inserted into mature cask-strength Maker's Mark barrels, and the bourbon undergoes an additional finishing period (some for 5 weeks, others for 9 weeks) in the distillery's cool limestone cellar. This process imparts rich, complex notes.   
• Wheated Bourbon Base: It starts with the signature Maker's Mark mash bill of 70% corn, 16% soft red winter wheat, and 14% malted barley, ensuring the underlying smooth and sweet foundation.   
• Cask Strength: Bottled at a robust 111.7 proof (55.85% ABV). This higher proof amplifies the nuanced flavors developed during the finishing process, delivering a bolder and more intense experience.   
• Limited Annual Release: As part of the Wood Finishing Series, "The Heart Release" is a highly anticipated and allocated annual release, making it a collectible item for enthusiasts.   

Tasting Notes (Based on Maker's Mark and Expert Reviews):

• Aroma: A fruit-forward nose with notes of toasted sweetness, stone fruit (apricots, peaches, dates), and cocoa or dark chocolate. Hints of caramelized brown sugar, toffee, vanilla beans, and subtle spice (cloves, cinnamon) are also often detected, along with a unique maple syrup note attributed to the distillery team's sensory experience.   
• Palate: Rich, creamy, and often described as having a delightful mouth-coating feel. Flavors of brown sugar, maple, and prominent baking spices (cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg) intermingle with dark chocolate, vanilla, and various fruits (candied apple, black cherry, raspberry). Some reviewers find notes of pie crust, toast, or even a subtle herbal quality. Despite the high proof, it often drinks "below its proof" due to its excellent integration.   
• Finish: Long, silky, and warm, with lingering notes of creamy dark chocolate, sweet oak, and spice. Touches of leather, coffee, or pipe tobacco may also emerge, contributing to a complex and satisfying conclusion.

Overall Impression:

Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series "The Heart Release" 2024 is a testament to Maker's Mark's innovative spirit and the dedication of its distillery team. By leveraging their unique stave-finishing technique and drawing inspiration from their very own makers, they've crafted a sophisticated and flavorful bourbon. The French oak staves impart deep, rich notes that complement the classic wheated profile, resulting in a complex, fruit-forward, and spicy bourbon that is exceptionally smooth for its cask strength. It's an excellent choice for sipping neat or with a drop of water, offering a memorable experience for both Maker's Mark loyalists and bourbon connoisseurs seeking unique and highly crafted expressions.

Bottles 2 Gift
Updated: 09/20/2024

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