Maker's Mark BRT-02 Limited Release
$59
Maker’s Mark BRT-02 Limited Release
Proof: 54.7
Age: NAS
Distillery: Maker’s Mark
Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Mash: 70% Corn, 16% Wheat, 14% Barley
Website: Maker’s Mark
*Disclaimer: A score of 5 is the midpoint for my reviews. Above 5 I like it. Below 5 I didn’t for some reason. Most of my reviews are between 4-7. It takes something really really special to go above 7 or below 4. See the methodologies for rating at the end of the article
Nose: Caramel, Dark Berries, Cherries, Damp Cardboard, Toasted Oak, & a touch of Spice.
Taste/Palate: Out of the blocks it’s a 50/50 mixture of Sweet and Spice. Caramel Pecan, Cinnamon, & Stone Fruits. There’s a bit of a fall off in the midpalate going into the finish.
Finish: Typically when a pour drops off on the palate it’s pretty much done with nothingness on the finish. This one was unique where it picked up in the finish with a Spicy Fruit tail. It was heavier on the spice than the fruit: Cinnamon, Hazelnut, All Spice and Blackberries. You get a faint Toasted Oak with Tobacco blending into the finish at the very end. The bottle says Chocolate as a tasting note, I struggled to find that characteristic.
Verdict: BRT-02 is a solid pour, but in my opinion from start to finish 01 is a better pour. 02 will take you on a ride, but the characteristics are more youthful and slightly less balanced than the 01. The character really comes out with the BRT-01 and you’ll find that the BRT-02 is more mellow with less intense flavors overall. In my opinion if you enjoy traditional Buffalo Trace products BRT-02 would be more up your alley. I think I might be in the minority in thinking 01 is better than 02.
MSRP: This is a very tasty pour for the suggested MSRP of $59 Price Ceiling: $80 (The most I’d pay for this bottle)
The Story: This is my 2nd year digging into the Maker’s Limited (strangely named each year) series. This is also the first year I had the pleasure to review both. Last year I only got my hands on the FAE-02. I was beyond happy when I got my hands on BRT-02 and found out that my friend was able to snag the 01. We both sampled and reviewed these 2 together so the above tasting notes are a combination of what both of us thought. We had a split decision as to which one was each of our favorites. I liked the BRT-01 (Finished at the top of the rickhouse) and my friend preferred the BRT-02 (Finished at the bottom and uses French Oak Staves to add to the flavor profile).
The Distillery’s Story: “Our fourth Maker’s Mark® Wood Finishing Series may be the easiest way to taste your way through the rickhouse. The name BRT was given to these expressions because of the influence our consistent practice of hand-barrel rotation (BRT) and temperature has on our whisky process. Made to be enjoyed as a pair, BRT-01 is inspired by the tasting notes found at the hotter top of the rickhouse, and BRT-02 is inspired by tasting notes found at the cooler bottom. Together, they give people the unique opportunity to experience where the characteristics responsible for the original Maker’s Mark® come from, so they can reach a new level of understanding of whisky.”
Methodologies for Rating:
1. Dump it down the drain or regift it to someone you don’t care for.
2. This doesn’t even belong in a mixed drink. Use in case of an emergency.
3. It’s really not for me, but I heard some people like it.
4. Its only good when I’ve had too many and it’s decent in a mixer.
5. Average. Not bad, but not special.
6. Above average. Good to bring to an event and you wouldn’t expect any guff from it.
7. Buy two if you see it to make sure you have one on reserve.
8. Very Very good. Constantly a GREAT POUR.
9. Superb. If I were to drink this and only this from now on I’d be a happy person.
10. Perfection is impossible. But this really comes as close as you can possibly get.
Reviewer: David S
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