I’ve honestly had a lot of Maker’s Mark cross my lips. It is the most common bourbon I find at restaurants and bars when I order a Manhattan. A Manhattan is my go to drink at most establishments that don’t have a great whiskey selection. Of course I had to try it as a sipper to start!
So I picked up a bottle and and figured I’d try it out.
The truth is that this is a great mixer. It is subtle, smooth, but not very complex. There is a very soft sweet vanilla note that quickly gets overpowered by wood char. You can sip it, there just isn’t a lot there when it comes to depth or complexity.
Maker’s Mark is a good starter bourbon if you are just starting to sip. It doesn’t have a strong flavor, so it will be good for new drinkers. If you are more experienced, this is a bourbon for mixed drinks only.
The Score – Maker’s Mark Bourbon
Maker’s Mark scores a 60/100, putting it firmly in the Mixed Drinks Only category.
Pros
- Can find in pretty much every bar across the land.
- Extremely affordable.
- Smooth, but simple taste profile.
- Subtle caramel and vanilla notes.
Cons:
- Not a whole lot of complexity.
