Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by Maker’s Mark. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review.
Maker’s Mark is one of those iconic brands. I’m sure many whiskey enthusiasts may have a story or two about having a dram. The commUNITY Batch is an ode to those in the service industry that bring those pours to you. This particular batch is a blend of 37 Private Selections curated by service industry partners.
- First, Maker’s Mark created individual barrels of Private Selection Bourbon by taking fully-matured cask strength Maker’s Mark and finishing it with each partner’s unique combination of ten barrel staves for an additional nine weeks in the Maker’s Mark Cellar.
- Once finished, the whisky from the barrels was blended and filled back into the barrels to rest for an additional five weeks to allow the subtle nuances of the custom bourbon to properly integrate.
- The resulting characteristics of the CommUNITY Batch include:
- Stave Contributions: P2 (13%), CU (24%), 46 (20%), Mo (27%) and SP (16%)
- Proof: 107.7
“To have the continued support of a partner like Maker’s Mark is inspiring to us, as we try to navigate this difficult time, and offer our community the means of both survival and growth,” said Edward Lee, James Beard Award Winning author, restaurateur, chef and founder of the LEE Initiative, at the time of its release. “The commitment of Maker’s Mark, and the willingness of their partners to step up and help, speaks volumes to the character of the brand and the people behind, and we are so thankful to partner with them on this incredible bourbon.”
This whiskey was released in 2020 and all proceeds from sales went towards those disenfranchised in the service industry due to our current pandemic. Maker’s Mark isn’t alone in this movement, as distilleries all around are making their contributions by way of producing hand sanitizers and other special releases towards those in need.
Tasting Notes: Maker’s Mark Community Batch
Vital Stats: 107.7 proof, 53.85% ABV. Blend of 37 barrels of different Maker’s Mark Private Selections. ~$70 per 750ml bottle.
Appearance: Copper with red hues. In the glass, there were lots of legs along the glass, however slow moving.
Nose: Immediately hot and astringent. After letting it rest a minute, there were classic bourbon notes of amarena cherry mixed with candied orange zest and burnt sugar.
Palate: Big caramel and citrus up front, followed by an oaky finish. Over time, there were notes of cherry paired with a pepper spice in addition towards the end. With the addition of water, the whisky was still punchy and would work quite well in cocktails.
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