Maker’s Mark BRT-02 Wood Finishing Series 2022
Mike Rosen

Bourbon

October 30, 2023

I’m late to the party on this one, but BRT-02 is a bottle I’ve been getting back into lately. The name BRT (barrel rotation) was inspired by the practice of Maker’s Mark’s unique use of hand-barrel rotation. Maker’s Mark website says,“To achieve the taste of Maker’s Mark, we’ve always hand-rotated our barrels from the top to the bottom of our rickhouse. This equal exposure to temperatures gives each barrel the consistent flavors Maker’s Mark is known for”. In this 2022 Wood Finishing Series release, Maker’s Mark released two different expressions. BRT-01 (which used Toasted American Oak staves) is inspired by the flavors found at the hotter top of the rickhouse, and BRT-02 which is inspired by flavors typically found at the cooler bottom of the rickhouse. Let’s get to it!

Taken: Neat in a Glencairn glass, rested for about 15 minutes.

Distillery: Maker’s Mark Distillery.

Master’s Blend Series: 2022 Release.

Proof: 109.4.

Age: NAS.

Mash bill: 70% Corn/16% Soft Red Winter Wheat/14% Malted Barley.

Price: $60.00.

Appearance: Golden amber.

 

Nose

Butterscotch, chocolate, toffee, hazelnut, red berries (raspberries and strawberries), vanilla bean, orange peel, tea, cinnamon spice, rich oak. This smells incredibly delicious with a creamy cake-like character that I love in a good wheated bourbon. The balance is great too with very little heat.

Palate

With a viscous mouthfeel the nose moves on the palate with toffee, chocolate, hazelnut, red berries, orange peel, vanilla bean, sage, and rich oak. A more than moderate but balanced cinnamon spice washes on the palate. This pour is like a chocolate, butterscotch cake with berries and vanilla frosting.

Finish

Cinnamon spice lingers on the palate with chocolate coming back around with vanilla, hazelnut, and tea for a long oak-driven finish.

Conclusion

I liked Maker’s Mark BRT-02 on the first couple of pours, but thought it was unbalanced. What I remember the most is a lot of very good oak, but overall not very complex. I put it away for nearly a year, and when I returned to it over the summer, the improvements were significant. BRT-02 opened up with flavors of red berries, hazelnut, orange peel, and more vanilla hiding beneath all the oak. Even the toffee and chocolate flavors developed. Basically, it improved in every way. BRT-02 turned in an exceptional wheated bourbon that has become my favorite selection from the Wood Finishing Series. I’d buy another if I could find one and regret not buying BRT-01 when I had the chance.

Rating: 8.4/10.

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.
5 | Good | Good, just fine.
6 | Very Good | A cut above.
7 | Great | Well above average.
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite.
10 | Perfect | Perfect.

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