The Whisky Drop By Maker's Mark: April 2024

MAY 2024

This Whisky Drop was created not only for our members but also by our members! As you likely know, Maker’s Mark® is all about taste vision. From Bill Samuels’ classic Maker’s ® to the 1,001 possible expressions of our Private Selection program, everything we bottle begins as a quest to capture a specific and personalized flavor profile. And this Whisky Drop is no different! The two bourbons in this edition had input from club members during a recent visit to Star Hill Farm.

There’s more about these selections inspired by strawberry shortcake and spring berry bread pudding in the pages that follow. And if you really want to get into the delicious details, you can join our free virtual tasting Monday, May 13, at 6:30 p.m. EST.

The Whisky Drop by Maker’s Mark® Team

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The Private Selection barrel program explores new expressions of our signature whisky by using first-of-their-kind wood-finishing techniques. Ten custom finishing staves –selected from a group of five different wood types – are added to barrels of mature Maker’s Mark® at cask strength. The whisky is then aged in our limestone cellar until each barrel develops a customized finish and taste profile that’s one-of-a-kind, yet undeniably Maker’s ® . The selection experience is typically reserved for larger restaurants, bars and liquor stores. This time, we were thrilled to give Whisky Drop members their say.

THERE’S MORE ABOUT PRIVATE SELECTION:

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WHISKY DROP SELECTION 03 2024

The taste vision that inspired this expression is the sweet and ripe freshness of strawberry season on Star Hill Farm. It’s bloomed from a stave profile that features:

(3) Baked American Pure 2

(3) Seared French Cuvée

(0) Maker's 46 ®

(2) Roasted French Mendiant

(2) Toasted French Spice

AROMA: Citrus peel, brown sugar, floral honey

TASTE: Graham cracker, sweet cinnamon, ripe fruits

FINISH:

Creamy in texture, with a pleasing finish of vanilla and bright fruits.

WHISKY DROP SELECTION 04 2024

“Fresh baked meets fresh picked” is the taste vision behind this expression. Picture a warm, welcoming dessert baked by someone with a bountiful garden. This delight comes from a stave profile that features:

Baked American Pure 2 (4) Seared French Cuvée (3) Maker's 46 ®

Roasted French Mendiant (1) Toasted French Spice

AROMA: Orchard fruit, honeysuckle, toasted vanilla

TASTE: Candied apple, creamy caramel, cherries

FINISH: Mouthcoating texture, with a long building finish of sweet spice and ripe fruit.

THE STAVE STORY

While our Private Selection stave offerings change from time-to-time, there are always five to choose from.

Harvested from American or French oak, staves are cut and cooked in different ways to affect flavor.

Here’s the current stave collection.

P2 - BAKED AMERICAN PURE 2

Classic-cut American oak toasted slow and low in a convection oven. Imparts brown sugar, vanilla, caramel and spice.

Cu - SEARED FRENCH CUVÉE

Ridge-cut French oak toasted by infrared. Imparts toasty oak and caramel.

46 - MAKER’S MARK 46®

Classic-cut French oak that is seared and toasted with infrared. Imparts dried fruit, vanilla and spice.

Mn - ROASTED FRENCH MENDIANT

Classic-cut French oak toasted slow and low in a convection oven. Imparts milk chocolate, nuts and dried dark fruit.

Sp - TOASTED FRENCH SPICE

Classic-cut French oak toasted high and then low in a convection oven. Imparts smoke, vanilla and spice.