Maker's Mark Made for the Brave Cask Strength, Batch No. 26-01, 2026, 55.25%

This is a bourbon whose sweetness has plenty to work against it. Vanilla bean, rich caramel and salted caramel lead the nose, with toasted oak and dark fruit alongside them. Brown sugar and dark cherry carry that sweet side onto the palate, but baking spice, cocoa, roasted nuts and firm oak give it a different direction. The finish returns to vanilla and wheat sweetness, with the oak lasting through it. I like that the sweet notes have a clear place without being the whole story. The firm oak may be more than someone looking for a softer style wants, but it is also what makes the balance interesting to me.

Reviewed by TeacupSoda

Nose

Vanilla bean, Toasted oak, Rich caramel, Salted caramel, Dark fruit

Palate

Full bodied and velvety, Dark cherry, Brown sugar, Baking spice, Cocoa, Roasted nuts, Firm oak

Finish

Long and warming, Vanilla, Wheat sweetness, Sustained oak