Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series 2024 "The Heart Release" Bourbon Review

[@chipaydlette6163]

Cracked mine last week. Excellent bottle.

[@iiVegasI]

You absolutely nailed it in regard to it being off profile. This isn’t your uncle’s old red wax bottle, it’s amped up a few notches and is has a dessert sweetness that’s rich in flavor from whatever oak influence these staves are adding to the mix. Let’s see this in a double/triple bass review against Larceny BP and Weller Full Proof. I’d take this Maker’s hands down.

[@paulfix133]

MM barrel selects are $79 here in IL. This was a similar price for a similar product, so that makes sense to me.

[@mauriciopast]

Did a Maker’s Mark tasting and bought this at 70 after tasting it. It is delicious, and 70-75 for a limited release from is not bad at all. I do agree that the cellar age 2023 is better, but also a lot more money. Cheers, love the content!

[@teedot1186]

The Heart Release is about their employees. They asked their Tour Guides what they smell during the day. This bottle is the first of the series.

[@stdcards77]

Maker's is usually not my favorite, but sampled this in Milwaukee over the weekend for 12 bucks. Had no expectations, but I was blown away. Silky feel - dark notes, but maple and caramel were the strongest for sure.

[@josephpowell7998]

You hit the nail on the head with this review!

[@KING_D2_HCA]

Just bought a bottle and its unreal

[@993C2S]

So last night on a blind I picked this over the Cellar Aged! Can you please do a comparison video?

[@kennethb46]

I love this bottle tbh. Also got their distillery exclusive and have to say that was fantastic as well. Granted I haven’t been into Makers much and but the Heart Release was cheaper at the distillery shop if I can remember.

[@MichaelTaylor-lk8fh]

I don't disagree with many of your reviews, but this bottle is worth more than $75, in my opinion. It's one of the best Makers I've had. This is definitely in the backup bottle conversation.

[@samwise8679]

Drinking this at the moment. Loving it. Very dark profile. This is a close second to BRT-01. 92.3k - closing in on 100k. Make it happen!

[@saladin199]

I have now had the neck pour and I find quite tasty...I may have overpaid in a secondary buy $25 more than MSRP but, I'm enjoying it

[@TheMashandDrum]

@@saladin199 it is tasty. I agree. A nice sweet bourbon.

[@djvie24]

It’s $65 in Oregon and thankfully has been flying under the radar making it gettable. If you have a chance to try it, it’s delicious.

[@philip5276]

The label looks amazing

[@dariendukes4875]

I like Maker's Mark; it's the only brand that I buy for myself and others but I'm not going to beat myself up to get something that they already had out a couple of years ago

[@1docsanch]

I completely agree with you about the similarity with other releases and it being not unique. also agree with you that the dark flavors are very enjoyable. I just give kudos to MM for not increasing the price significantly to >100 like other brands. Honestly I am not disappointed to buy this at 70$( Costco)

[@TheMashandDrum]

@@1docsanch good point on the price.

[@Adamlamm1]

Part of the issue seems to be the lack of information on the label about the finishing staves. There’s a lot that can be done like toast time, scouring the surface, air seasoning, but without knowing that it makes it hard to know what is different about this release from prior ones with toasted French oak. They’ve done a lot of work with ISC on this so I have to imagine they’re different - would love to know how

[@JD0124]

I loved the BRT-02... the BRT-01 and the BEP were close behind. The Heart sounds interesting, and Maker's was my "Gateway" bourbon. So there's some sentimentality I feel towards the brand. But based on your review, I may not pursue this too hard. Thanks, Jason!

[@SwoleOnCoffee]

I’ve had a couple Makers that were really tasty, most have not been up my alley. Great review as always!

[@TheBloody81]

Great honest review! So far I'm just hearing more mixed reviews and was hoping this was going to be solid. I think I'll just pass up on it. Cheers!

[@TheMashandDrum]

@@TheBloody81 it is solid. Nothing wrong with it. Just not a anything new for me

[@mikeg4960]

Where I live the private select barrels cost $70-$75ish. So $75 is in line

[@Funky_Frankie_1]

Agreed. I'd love to see something completely different from MM! Nice touch with the colors at the end 🎆

[@stillcookin]

I agree Maker’s isn’t very imaginative with their wood finishing stuff but I feel like we are talking about a $75 price as if it’s a crazy increase or out of line with the current market. Aren’t the other wood finishing bottles like $70 also? Campari would be charging $200 for this lol

[@TheMashandDrum]

@@stillcookin lol. That's a good point.

[@pickleeater3102]

I agree. $75 for a bottle of bourbon in today's market is a reason for cartwheels. Calling this overpriced; ha, I'm looking at everything else on the shelf.....

[@stillcookin]

@@TheMashandDrum they really just need to get off their thing about not doing SiBs. Did a tour there in May and got a sample straight from the thief and it was the best MM I’ve ever had. Classic Maker’s CS profile but it had this cherry kick to it that you never get on any of their batched stuff

[@TheMashandDrum]

​@@stillcookinI wish they would do that but they say there barrels are matured for consistency so there wouldn't be much variation.

[@stillcookin]

@@TheMashandDrum I know that’s what they say but what I tasted from the barrel made me think maybe there’s more variation than they lead on but 🤷‍♂️ who knows

[@a68freak]

Yay! I skipped it for $90. I didn’t see an age statement so didn’t pull the trigger. Thanks for the confirmation Jason C.

[@TheReal_DeanD]

Well 3 months after this review was released I just got this one from my local store at retail. I have BRT-02 in the bunker. I may do the comparison but ultimately this doesn't seem worth it. Wish I had watched this before buying. oh well.

[@audiodeluxe7647]

So apparently the staves were cooked in 2 new/different ways and subsequent batches then blended together for this release. Point being there are subtle differences from the last WFS.

[@philb6409]

Great honest review; to me doesn’t seem like much of a difference from the many private selects out there.

[@RJR2222]

Wow I enjoyed this way more than you did. Appreciate the review. I think you are one of the best reviewers of whiskey out there

[@starsam8247]

I have enjoyed mine immensely! I think you're wrong on this one. I've spent more than $75 on wheaters that aren't nearly as drinkable as this. I will be looking for a backup bottle or two. Oh well... different strokes!

[@TheMashandDrum]

@@starsam8247 it's good. I don't think it's bad by any means. Im a bit hung up on the black of innovation and I admit that. It's a good whisky

[@ironpony9892]

46CS is my favorite so far of all the finished series, would try this one first otherwise its going to be a real hard sell.

[@KyleKnapp-ze1ij]

I have yet to see it anywhere near me. Almost every online outlet I’ve seen it is sold out or it’s marked up to $199.99.

[@jeffscalfano3100]

Support

[@mf_motty]

They are aging with ten staves being inserted into the barrel for five weeks, and another ten are inserted for nine weeks in the limestone cellar like the cellar age which is why it probably has an off profile for makers mark which is the difference here. I think they are highlighting what this limestone cellar and difference of temperature can do for their bourbon and as a brand dialing in on that difference is key for future innovation and changes. Personally it won't be for everyone but bottles like this for 75 are more appealing to me than Buffalo Trace bottles that aren't as good but sell for 4x their srp on secondary (Ex: Elmer, rock hill, hancock....)

[@garywhite6804]

I just got a bottle from the distillery, but mine is 112 proof. 🤷‍♂️

[@lionelg4648]

Is this the same staves as maker's 46 cask strength?

[@bavariasuhl]

will stick to my cellar aged

[@KennethRathburn]

So if you read the back of the BEP bottle, it doesn't say it was the end of the Wood Finishing Series. It says it marks the end of a chapter for the series that would continue in some other capacity. That said, the meaning behind that wording is pretty vague, and if named releases utilizing the same style of wood staves as always is their idea of an equally exciting chapter, then they need a reality check. I personally fail to see how this is different or distinct from the picks.

[@TheMashandDrum]

@@KennethRathburn well then the next chapter should do something different. That's my only point.

[@robertlee6781]

If they come out with an all Mocha stave release, I’ll bite. There are some better Private Selects just sitting on the shelf right now.

[@teedot1186]

I picked my bottle up from MM gift shop for $69. It's Hot !

[@krischaney9034]

Did Porter demand royalties for use of the America cork pop?

[@TheMashandDrum]

@@krischaney9034 yes. Lol

[@RK-ow1zg]

At least there is a possibility of finding it at a somewhat not-too-outrageous price. MM Cellar Aged was great (from what I've read), but I simply couldn't get my hands on it

[@saladin199]

I just picked this up in secondary buy. I haven't opened it up yet but, I fear I may have experienced my first over pricing buy 😅 Well, that's a part of the Bourbon journey 🥃

[@colear3]

What did you pay??

[@saladin199]

@@colear3 $100

[@jamesdavis7125]

This is basically Makers 46 Cask Strength with a face lift. 46 CS uses 10 French oak staves. Marketing ploy. Thanks J

[@roscoejenkins4221]

I was thinking the same shit

[@ikkiwikki]

Not sure I understand the gripe about the price, private barrels are $80 in my area so this is $5 cheaper. I do agree that it seems like they are out of ideas though.

[@TheUMIA]

Makers 46 CS is $60 and the same.

[@haldendoerge]

If you go back and look at the statement Maker's Mark put out when they finished the first run of the Wood Finishing Series, they never said they were ending the series. They said that BEP was the end of the "first chapter" in the Wood Finishing Series, and they had plans for the "new chapter" to follow. This was always the plan. I don't know why so many people didn't really read that,.

[@TheMashandDrum]

@@haldendoerge well if that's the case, the new chapter needs to do something new.

[@haldendoerge]

@@TheMashandDrum I think that's a fair critique. I'd love to see Makers do more new things. Though I also think the Wood Finishing series is generally good and I don't mind seeing it continue as it has. Annual releases that are $65-75 and findable are a rare thing these days. I picked my bottle up yesterday and haven't had a chance to try it yet.

[@TheMashandDrum]

@@haldendoerge it's definitely a solid release. Good dark flavors as i mentioned

[@35057]

I hate seeing that the “middle shelf” is moving to a $80 price point now for decent stuff. I miss them being at $45-50.

[@bfizzy]

Isn’t each Larceny Barrel Proof the same concept over and over? Isn’t this release different than others because the French oak staves are toasted instead of seared? I don’t understand the hate.

[@TheMashandDrum]

They have you toasted french oak multiple times. Its a good bourbon but I just want something new. When you tout your product as a new chapter in the finishing series, do something new. finishes are supposed to be different. Larceny Barrel proof is just a different batch.

[@Shootsmith]

Why not also compare to Makers 46 Cask Strength??

[@TheMashandDrum]

@@Shootsmith saving that for another video

[@apeekintime]

I agree that this isn't as interesting release as it could have been. Plenty of people missed the BRT-01 & 02 releases because they didn't get into bourbon yet so releasing it again is okay but odd that they called it something else. Now if they had come out and said "we are re-releasing the wood finishing line under a new label" then there at least would be some clarity on the plan. Because of the bottle shape people are going a little silly and these things are going for like 120 and above. As someone else said this is basically just Maker's 46 cask strength so it's crazy to pay $120 just because its the Cellar Aged bottle and being called an LE. I really like Maker's and when stores liquidate their unsold Maker's Picks I always jump on there. There is a chain near me that is constantly trying to clear space so they liquidate their Maker's picks for $40 a couple times per year. Strangely... they still do 2-3 picks of it every year. Great for me. Total Wine and grocery stores also discounts their older picks after a year or so. They aren't as aggressive but it's not uncommon to see the picks for $50 which is a pretty good deal.

[@michaelarsers9304]

A while ago you compared all of the Maker's Mark Wood Finishing series and you concluded that the BRT 02 was the best of them. Is the Heart release even btter than the BRT 02?

[@TheMashandDrum]

@@michaelarsers9304 I will check.

[@smikebacts]

What I appreciate about Maker's is that they don't price their limited outrageously higher then their shelf products largely because their shelf bottles are about as good. This release cost the same as a private select because it is as good as a really good private select. I think Jason is right that it is all a little 1 trick now. I think Maker's would have been better served holding off 2 years before bringing back the wood finishing series. I think they should instead release 2 or 3 more core line up bottles. After so many private select combinations surely 1 is worthy of being a 3rd Cask strength shelfer or a Mizunara finished bottle at 101 proof.

[@smikebacts]

I've thought about this more. Here are the three releases I think they should do. Maker's 10 year. Basically make a baby version of the cellar age at 95 proof. Maker's 101 Mizunara finished. Then Maker's Cask Strength the People Choice - Basically choose your highest reviewed most sought after private select and bottle it as a regular release at cask strength.

[@WhiskeyandSmoke]

I am a MM fan, I real enjoyed the Heart Release it is so off MM profile. This is very different but not mind blowing, but good! The BRT-02 is my favorite, it’s like if GTS had an affair with MM and birthed BRT-02. It’s a baby GTS

[@TheMashandDrum]

@@WhiskeyandSmoke yeah it's definitely a solid bottle. I do think it's off profile but I just wish it was something a bit different

[@rayvanett1443]

I bought mine for $54.99. Had no idea it was $75ish!!!🤷‍♂️

[@MoeHopps]

Agreed private select would be jam not unless there is something unique

[@jasoncochran853]

Great review 👏 really disappointed with all/most of decisions coming from beam/suntory who also owns MM. From spending stupid $$$ moving corporate HQ to NYC. And trying anything to offset cost. Keep burbon in Kentucky and the hi paying jobs there, too.

[@ericsnyder2424]

Isn’t this just Maker’s 46 Cask Strength? For what it’s worth, I love M46CS.

[@ZA1KLONB]

On Makers Mark website, 46CS is no longer available. Idk if it's because they're taking it away completely or what but it's not on their website anymore

[@travisrobeson306]

Still a Maker's tater, gonna have to find, lol!

[@TheMashandDrum]

@@travisrobeson306 I think you'll enjoy it. It's a darker makers

[@zenmindgreenthumbful]

These are $65 in Oregon whereas the private selections are $80. Not sure why you keep harping on comparing it to private selections - it’s in essence it’s just an officially branded private selection of their own stave choosing. In that framework I think the price is totally fine. And personally think its darker flavor profile is a nice deviation from the typical MM.

[@garyfranchy7726]

Maybe BEP was just the end of the old bottle shape 🤔🙄🤷

[@sandeepcheema8279]

First one here to comment. Ordered one for me -

[@durzagon88]

I thought BRT was a stepping stone to MM46? Why release a limited release that seema like 46.

[@BuffaloBourbonEnthusiasts]

I might grab it for $75 but then again …

[@cuba1266]

I would buy OF1920 and Rare Breed for that prize. I would never help bourbon allocate itself. No reason too when you have incredible juice for $60 dollar range.

[@n0bly_hades]

ANYONE IN WEST TEXAS HAVE IT?

[@mackal]

Did they actually say it was done? I thought that was just youtubers saying it was dead.

[@TheMashandDrum]

@@mackal they said the BEP was the last one on the series. Maybe this is just a new series.

[@danielmcevoy976]

Regular Maker's Cask strength is all I need. I just want any whiskey to go the distance in one barrel. I'm tired of all the finishing.

[@davidvoth7218]

Happy 4th of July! Another great review! Think I'll pass on this one.

[@BourbonBarrels]

Just grabbed one for $75. Haven't tried it. Not as excited to try after this review.

[@rumalvar]

Woah I'm first 😂

[@rumalvar]

If I can find it for srp I'd buy it.

[@pickleeater3102]

If this was a Brown Forman or Sazerac release, it would be $190. Bitching about $75 is so 2010.

[@TheMashandDrum]

@@pickleeater3102 I don't mind the price...I mind the repeat

[@pickleeater3102]

@@TheMashandDrum yeah, not very imaginative

[@kamahhl]

You can tell Maker's hates change - Fred Minnick had to beg for years for an age stated which came out finally as Cellar Aged...

[@mikem4432]

75$ seems a bit pricey.

[@brantleymasters435]

Review is spot on. Very meh product. And for $75? - forget about it. Way better whiskey on shelves and a lot of them for much less. And I’m a Makers fan. Is it true 46CS is discontinued?

[@sugarkitty4777]

BRT-02 = Ernie. BRT-01 = Bert.

[@TheMashandDrum]

@@sugarkitty4777 lol

[@nickp5511]

Happy 4th!! Not looking for this one! Cheers!

[@eafarrar]

Yeah this one was just...whelming. I'm skipping the next four unless something wild happens.

[@djohnson3583]

I like Maker’s but they need to do something new

[@awsomenesscaleb]

Maker's Mark is my favorite modern distillery, but they are also the most disappointing and continually fail to live up to their potential. All I want from them is single barrel picks of their standard offering aged for 8+ years in a warehouse without any kind of finish. They probably have some really good barrels, but they get bottled prematurely and finished with extra stuff I don't want. I just want good bourbon from Maker's Mark.

[@bourbonapprentice]

I’m out on this

[@teddyballgame25]

It’s embarrassing. Spot on review.

[@boswineguy5461]

Great review! Maker’s Mark = Yawn for me. They must make a fortune supplying the bars and restaurants around the world with their standard bottle - they can afford to take bigger and more interesting chances.

[@nickentros]

Makers Mark cask strength is a gem though. $40ish for a wheater 110 or so proof, always on the shelf, it’s a staple in my bourbon cabinet

[@WhiskeyandSmoke]

Same here…I love MM CS.

[@justiny328]

Agreed. Honestly, every Maker's I've ever had was just OK. I've had several Private Selects and Wood Finishing Series. Cask Strength is not good. 46 is pretty good and cheap. Maybe Cellar Aged is great, but I'll never know.

[@justinmann3012]

C'mon 65 is the max he'd pay. Who ever is editing needs to check with him. It's a bust bottle that MM is trying to hype. Sad but true.

[@bgj2940]

All they did was change the bottle design... Quite hilarious that the taters think it's a brand new release. LMAO. Marketing 101 make it look new and sell more.

[@tylerbennett7092]

Not a fan of the picks, I am a fan of this heart release. 66 @ specs

[@BentonThompson-v6x]

there's only a few ways to skin a cat. i feel like with all of these distilleries what the hell are y'all gonna do really that makes me want to spend a bunch of money on this crap at this point. It's all marketing and it's all BS at the end of the day.

[@aramb5482]

Man … makers mark still haven’t realized their marketing sucks, my grandpas label with the old red wax ugh

[@thebigdubnetwork]

Hard pass for me.

[@993C2S]

Sadly the secondary price is already near $200 now. A quick Google search shows nothing less than $189 and upwards of $230!

[@Jared40]

Personally for me I'll just stick with the Maker's Mark 46 and the Maker's Mark Cask Strength🟥🥃