It has been ages since I have done a comparison post, and they are always so much fun. The last ones I did was between rye whiskey. So let’s look at a comparison I have been avoiding, two of my favourite bourbons against each other. The Maker’s Mark vs Woodford Reserve bourbon.
To make it fair, we did the tasting in unmarked glasses. It is much more difficult when you have to compare whiskey and are unsure of what is in your glass. But to objectively choose our favourite, we tasted it blind.
Maker’s Mark Bourbon
The bourbon that made me fall in love with bourbon. I always have a bottle, it’s perfect in cocktails and in my glass. Maker’s Mark is produced at the old Burk’s Distillery in Loretto, Kentucky. Beam Suntory owns the distillery and brand. It is bottled in very recognizable squarish bottles sealed with red wax.
The mash bill does not include rye. Instead, the Maker’s Mark mash bill uses red winter wheat (16%), along with corn (70%) and malted barley (14%).
Maker’s Mark has no age statement. It is bottled when the tasters agree it is ready, roughly around 6 yo. Other expressions include the Maker’s 46 and the Maker’s Cask Strength bourbon. It is an excellent introduction to bourbon for someone unfamiliar with it and an ideal base for cocktails.
Woodford Reserve Bourbon
Another bottle that I always have in my house. Woodford Reserve is a small-batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon brand produced by the Brown-Forman Corporation. Distilling began on the site of the current distillery in 1812. The distillery was formerly known as the Old Oscar Pepper Distillery. Brown Forman introduced the brand to the market in 1996. Other releases in the brand include the Double Oaked and Rye whiskey.
The mash bill for Woodford Reserve features a high percentage of rye. It has a 72% corn, 18% rye and 10% malt ratio. Woodford Reserv has no age statement but matures for at least 6 years. This bourbon is perfect for an Old Fashioned cocktail.
Also Read: Johnnie Walker Blue vs Black Label Whisky
Comparison: Maker’s Mark vs Woodford Reserve Bourbon
| Maker's Mark | Woodford Reserve | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Bourbon | Bourbon |
| Mashbill | 70% corn, 16% Red winter wheat, 14% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye and 10% malt |
| ABV | 45% | 43.2% |
| Colour | Light golden copper | Dark copper |
| Nose | Cherries, brandied fruit, toasted wood and vanilla spice. Adding a few drops of water brings out more spice and woody notes. | Honey sweetness with apricots and oranges. Bits of condensed milk richness mixed with vanilla, dark chocolate and hints of spices. |
| Palate | Full of vanilla, followed by sweet cherries and fresh red fruit. Cinnamon and toasted oak. A few drops of water brings butterscotch and warming nutmeg. Delicious and very easy drinking. | Oak and sweetness perfectly balanced with apricot and cinnamon spiciness. Tangy winter fruits and vanilla mixed with toffee. Creamy and smooth with a full body and a satisfying mouthfeel. |
| Finish | Long with hints of sweetness, vanilla and caramel. | Long and lingering and ends in notes of sweetness and spices |
| My Rating | Excellent | Excellent |
| Price | $33 | $40 |
Such a problematic comparison: Maker’s Mark vs Woodford Reserve bourbon. Both are stellar drams. Delicious, bold and drinkable. Glass 1 was the Woodford and glass 2 was the Maker’s. I did not even attempt to guess which one was which; I just tried to find my favourite.
For me, the Woodford Reserve (glass 1) was my favourite. I liked the fruity sweetness more. The condensed milk, vanilla, dark chocolate notes, and soft oak spices suit my palate. Woodford will suit someone who likes sweeter drinks.
John preferred the Maker’s Mark bourbon (glass 2). It is slightly spicier than the Woodford Reserve, with more vanilla, wood and cherry notes. This bourbon will suit someone who likes a bit of a spicy kick mixed with red fruit sweetness.
John ventured a guess as to which is which, and he was correct. If you look out for the cherry notes in the Maker’s Mark, you can identify it.
Both have a long finish, with the Woodford ending slightly sweeter and the Maker’s ending in vanilla and caramel. I am not going to complain about either bourbon in my glass. They are both delicious.
Also Read: Woodford Reserve Rye vs Bulleit Rye whiskey
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