
Maker’s Mark made a gold wax, 101 proof version of the brand back in the 1970s. They later discontinued the brand in the United States and it was only found in the overseas markets and the international airport duty free shops. They have recently brought it back to sell at the distillery and “selective outlets”. The whiskey is a very good product and it would be nice to see it in every U.S. market, but that will not happen until the inventory grows to the point that they can support the brand nationwide.
Maker’s Mark Traveler’s Exclusive
Proof: 101
Age: No Age Statement
Nose: Vanilla, hazelnuts, with a hint of apples and oak.
Taste: Vanilla with some ripe apple, hazelnuts, pepper and oak. Tasted with a dried cranberry enhances the apples and pepper with less oak. Tasted with a pecan enhances the vanilla and hazelnuts with more sweet oak.
Finish: Medium long with oak and pepper. The cranberry lengthens the finish and makes it more pepper than oak. The pecan enhances the sweet oak and reduces the pepper.
I have paired this Bourbon with a Nat Sherman Timeless Panamericana Secretos that has a nice rich tobacco with cedar spice with hints of vanilla and caramel. The Bourbon adds sweetness to the tobacco with more caramel and less spice. The smoke brings out a cherries/berries note in the Bourbon and enhances the pepper notes. A very good pairing for a quick smoke and Bourbon on the deck.

Photos Courtesy of Rosemary Miller
July 10, 2019 at 12:31 pm
Mr. Veach, upon reading your recent review of the Makers Mark 101 it was unclear to me exactly what would make this release from the distillery any different (or better) than the typical Makers Mark other than its higher alcohol content. There is no significant aging, barrel selection or small batch designation and yet I fear there might be a premium price for this bourbon given the hype and packaging. Your tasting notes do not extoll the virtues of an unusually good (by your standards, which I admire) whiskey. Should one be cautious about distilleries repackaging and promoting a product that contains no nuance but for higher alcohol?
July 10, 2019 at 6:29 pm
I agree that the price compared to the cask strength does not compare.
July 11, 2019 at 4:15 pm
I should also point at that the 11 points of increased proof does make some of the flavors of Maker’s Mark more intense and thus different from normal Maker’s Mark.
July 10, 2019 at 5:17 pm
Mike,
Is it as good as the old stuff?
July 10, 2019 at 6:27 pm
Not as good as the Maker’s from the 70s