Every Maker's Mark Bourbon, Ranked

7. Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series

It's difficult to know where to rank Maker's Finishing Series, as there have been a few variations since its first release in 2019. The 2023 expression is marketed as "BEP," which stands for "barrel entry proof." This means the whisky is the same proof as when placed into the barrel. It's called the "Finishing Series," as these bottles are initially created the same way as regular Maker's Mark before uniquely finishing the maturation. For 2023, this meant adding ten virgin toasted American oak staves to the barrel after the initial maturation. Maker's don't specify how long the whisky was matured with these staves, but it's likely to be months, not years.

The use of these staves, along with the higher proof of this bourbon, adds up to a unique whisky but one that doesn't quite have the charm of its other limited releases. These factors, combined with its low availability, mean we placed this lowest on the list. But that's not to say this isn't an impressive bourbon. The nose has a beautiful sweetness, underpinned by some distinct cinnamon and char. Those smells all carry on to the palate with an almost buttery mouthfeel. The most distinctive tasting note is that of brown sugar. It ebbs away on the finish, which is more dominated by the baking spices. The Maker's Mark Finishing Series BEP is good bourbon, but the iconic distillery has produced better.

5. Maker's Mark Private Selection

The Private Selection is almost impossible to rank, as there are over 1,000 possible combinations. Maker's Mark offers the chance for retailers and restaurants to create their own bourbon, in a way. We say "in a way" because you don't have any control over the first six years. Once this initial maturation has finished, you can choose 10 wooden staves to add to the barrel. These staves are vertical planks placed inside the barrel that can add a unique flavor profile to your bourbon. These planks soak in the whisky for nine weeks before you get the final product.

There are five different stave types to choose from, and your 10 in total will be chosen from any combination of these five. We have the "Baked American Pure 2," which is most distinctive for its brown sugar, or "Seared French Cuvée," which gives you more toasted oak notes. Added are "Roasted French Mendiant" for chocolatey and fruity notes and "Toasted French Spice," which, unsurprisingly, gives your bourbon a spicier palate. The other stave is from Makers 46, which has the expression's signature notes of vanilla and spice. As you'll appreciate, with all the combinations, we can't give a single set of tasting notes. But after trying a few different bottles, the Private Selection series is a fantastic way to explore how different staves can change the profile of a whisky.

2. Maker's Mark 101

While the naming of the 46 is a little nuanced, how the 101 gets its name is a little more obvious. This 101-proof whisky is the most recent addition to its core portfolio. It pays homage to the founder of Maker's Mark, Bill Samuels, Sr., due to his love of higher-proof expressions. It was made out of a desire to show off the robust character of the bourbon, which the regular Maker's Mark doesn't quite capture. It's a boldness that helps to make this bourbon stand out and is supported by a fair price tag. This makes it an approachable drink for anyone starting their journey through bourbon.

If you've only ever tasted the 90-proof Maker's Mark, you'll first notice the higher level of spice. You initially get it on the nose, and it continues right through to the finish. Also, on the nose and palate are fruity notes, which are beautifully combined with rich caramel to give it an enchanting sweetness. The mouthfeel is even richer than the 46 and lingers impressively on the tongue. It's been available on shelves for a few years now, and thankfully, it doesn't appear to be going anywhere soon. It's perfect for those who want to sample a higher-proof bourbon without jumping all the way up to cask strength. The complexity is impressive with the 101, but it doesn't quite have the same depth as the expression that claims our top spot.

Methodology

We wanted to look beyond just taste to rank these bottles. This is because we also appreciate both affordability and accessibility. Because of this, we've given preference to the core lineup of Maker's Mark here, which are the top four whiskies that form a permanent part of its roster. Once we considered the affordability of each bottle, then we then looked at taste.

We have personal experience tasting the Maker's Mark core lineup. We've used a wide range of expert and taster reviews for the more limited and customizable releases to get a consensus on quality.