Let us know if you need it! We reorder based on community feedback. We'll also email you when we bring it back.
Ratings & Reviews
Member Reviews and Ratings of Maker's Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon
David,
Decent to drink. Good to mix with.
Ben,
Just like many others are saying, this is a reliable starter bourbon to go with.
My experience:
Nose: Vanilla, Citrus, Oak, Bread, Apple Pie
Palate: heavy and rich flavor, starts off quite sweet with orange zest and emphasis on vanilla
Finish: spicy, with a nutty flavor and oak again
Chance,
The first bourbon I decided to sip straight. Very sweet and smooth, really easy going.
There is a lovely dark chocolate note with a little pepper on the finish that is just savoury enough to make you crave the sweetness on the palate.
Johnathan,
My go to...old reliable
Andrew,
This is where my "Bourbon Journey" started. After tasting a few more bourbons, I still think this is a solid choice for a daily dram, and a great 'first bourbon.' Now that I've tried a few more, though, I'd say Maker's Mark is a little "thin."
Greg,
Another great sweet balanced pour great for mixed drinks
guest,
It’s great
Mike,
Good go to bourbon for making sours and old fashioned. Costco sells the giant bottle for a very fair price
Keith,
Our go to for old fashions.
guest,
I’m very 50/50 on this one; one night, it’s a decent sipper, and the next it tastes like dish sink scum. Glad I tried it, but definitely not something I’ll keep on hand.
Hampus,
Not a huge fan because of the high wheat-mash bill. Bought the bottle because it was recommended. Makes decent cocktails, but the whiskey will often times be hidden behind the other components of the drink, because of it’s inoffensive flavor. For the new whiskey drinkers I’d say this it’s a good idea to atleast try it.
Michael,
Slight touch of heat with caramel and coconut make this classic easy-drinking.
Rob,
Good quality bourbon. Smooth with great spice. It’s a good one!
Michael,
My first bourbon. Great mixed with coke or sprite.
James,
A little sweet on the nose, a touch of cinnamon. Spicy and cinnamon taste. Lingers quite a while and turns more peppery.
Dominic,
My every day drinker! Never lets me down
Paul,
Very nice daily sipper. Good wheated bourbon. Can’t go wrong at this price point. Recommended
Rick,
Love it. Very smooth, nice finish.
Paul,
Really good every day sipping bourbon. Great for every bourbon cocktail.
Mary-Ann,
Good basic bourbon.
Rob,
Fruity and smooth but just not my cup of tea even though it's the favorite of all my neighbors.
David,
Damn...Smooth, long spicy finish, great level of sweetness. Just a really really great whisky.
George,
Manhattan maker, yes
Dave,
Good standard.
Joe,
Mixed drink whiskey
Kevin,
Nice smooth taste, easy to drink.
Thomas,
Great daily drinker bourbon
Chris,
Good everyday drinker
Jason,
Sweet wheat, great taste, easy to drink. Everyone should have a bottle of this.
Josh,
Easy drink, not complex, good mixer.
Caramel, nuts, and a dash of cinnamon.
David,
Good for everyday
Anne,
Yummy. Smooth go to drink
Doug,
My go to drink of choice
Mark,
This is my go-to for what I compare all other bourbons to.
Not too light or heavy of a drink. Well balanced from the nose to the after tastes. The mix of sweet and burn... balance.
It does well neat, I prefer on the rocks, and it mixes just fine.
My main point here is value. Bang for your buck, you can't do much better.
Sure, if you triple the price tag (or more) you can find much better bourbons, but a high quality bourbon for less than 40 a bottle?
This is the standard.
BRIAN,
A great bourbon to mix with
Ford,
Solid bourbon for everyday sipping
Richard,
Basic entry whiskey. Not bad not great.
Tate,
Excellent basic bourbon for the price, particularly in an old fashion. Crisp and clean but not complex enough to be in the regular neat rotation.
Tate,
Excellent for Old Fashions. Smooth and clean, though not complex.
David,
A decent sipper but it really stands out in a bourbon & coke which is what I used this for. Maker's 46 is a much better sipper.
David,
A cheap wheated bourbon that's reliably the same bottle to bottle, widely available and $20? Is there better stuff out there? Sure. But this has become a staple for me. Smooth and simple, yet complex enough to drink neat.
Patrick,
Too much caramel for me
Christopher,
This one is always found in my liquor cabinet. Ten stars because it is very enjoyable during any of the 365 days of the year. Great price. Very balanced. Has a nice caramel sweetness and a hint of spice. Wonderful neat and enjoyable with a small ice cube in summer. Pro tip - get a handle at Costco and pour it in a crystal decanter. Serve to guests at parties and do not tell them what it is. #Marketing101
Frank,
My daily pour, good in Manahattans
Sean,
Solid daily drinker and great for mixing, making an old fashioned or Manhattan.
Jake,
Great for Old Fashioned's. Tolerable neat and good on ice. A classic and solid choice.
Adam,
Respectably smooth and flavorful, but maybe a bit overrated.
Jacob,
Caramel and butterscotch with a peppery bite up front and a smooth buttery finish.
Christopher,
This is a great "go to" bourbon for me. It goes down very easy neat or with 1 small or 1/2 small ice cube. S: sugary, caramel; T: I get caramel dessert with a hint of spice notes (but mainly sweet); F: very smooth finish, no burn, still drinking sweet with a slight spiciness (I can't say cinnamon per se). All around a great choice to keep in the bar. It is always stocked in my crystal decanter. I never tell people what it is until after they drink it. I like sweet. This is dessert for me!
Christopher,
Sorry, I meant to give this 9 stars
James,
Always enjoyable sipping after meals, with friends or a cigar. Not too sharp but carries through enough smokiness to remain a bourbon.
Mac,
Good standard bourbon
Benjamin,
This was my one of my normal go-to bourbons for many years. Its still delicious.
Nicholas,
Some bourbons emphasize their heritage by keeping things straight, harsh and powerful; this one is sweeter and it's a good thing. Per dollar, this might be the best liquor in the world.
Burke,
Go to at an affordable price.
Ron,
There is something that I dont like in the flavor profile....not sure what it is.....great as a mixer, but neat....I'll pass
Andrew,
Hits the mark every time not extra special but very consistent. Keep a bottle handy
James,
Call me crazy, but a neat pour of this is an assault on my nose. It's more burn and ethanol blast than notes and flavor. If a low proof feeling hotter than necessary is your niche, then you've found your bottle... I'd rather have a proof appropriate burn. This one feels like something with 20% higher ABV without including the flavors to match. It's not ”bad” flavors... They're just missing in the ethanol white noise... Great choice for bartenders who go easy on the whiskey but want to fool people into thinking the mix is alcohol heavy. The smell and bite stay strong through ice or coke so there's that I guess.
Diane,
Easy to drink on rocks or as a mixer. Its sweet and can be used a lot of ways.
Shaun,
Damn fine middle tier bourbon. Great to sip on
guest,
Smooth and sweet. Very easy to drink
Oskari,
Great bourbon, honestly stays in the freezer for a nice cooling effect.
Casey,
Very smooth. Always our go to if we don’t have Weller. Best accessible wheat vs. rye bourbon out there. The tradition, consistency and class of Makers also makes it our favorite visit on the tours.
Dave,
Always a great staple. Love the consistency. May not be the deepest or richest in complexity, but always consistent quality bourbon. A must have for every home bar
Pamela,
Don't like the flavor at all.
Lee,
An OK boubon. kinda flat or bland in flavor, that didn't really last. It just left me wishing there were more to it.
Nick,
Hey its pretty good
guest,
A top 3 Bourbon for me partially for nostalgias sake, but mostly because it’s a kick ass dram.
Bob,
Cool for mixing
Charles,
Caramel, honey, and toasted oak. One of my favourite spirits.
Dustin,
Smooth, smoky and affordable. Perfectly suited to straight or mixing.
Mark,
Taste like dirt. Not a fan
Aaron,
Just too sweet-dominated for me. And too light bodied.
Andras,
One of my go-to bourbons. I like wheated bourbons.
Stefan,
On the nose the charred oak barrel is very present along with the percentige. After this a frutiy note comes to mind, a fruity note that reminds of buffalo trace.
The pallet is however the reverce but some sherry is there for a short time. A good bourbon. Aesthetic bonus is that the top of the bottle diped in red wax which give it a intressting look.
Dan,
Entry level. Safe and straight forward.
Geoffrey,
Great flavor. Smooth tasting and in expensive! This can be my daily drink.
Mac,
I was introduced to this 15 -20 years ago. I have enjoyed it as a go to it has been smooth and pleasant . Makers 46 is a treat reserved for holidays but much enjoyed.
Patrick,
My go to when I want an Old Fashioned
Brandon,
Straight, spicy, to the point. Short finish. Quite pleasant. My go to for cheap drinking. Good for the price.
Jacob,
Solid go to bourbon. Smooth, but also not super complex.
Frank,
This bourbon is very consistent a great everyday bourbon. Very good bourbon for a great price.
Andy,
Tried a long time ago. Not the best memory. Need to try it again though.
Michael,
Smooth with a bite, good mixer.
Greg,
love this flavor, strong but with a sweet edge
Quentin,
Caramel
Matthew,
Good. Not great but an old standby.
guest,
Good smooth bourbon.
Timothy,
Go to for versatility. Great with a few rocks, neat, in a manhattan or old fashion
Travis,
classic wheater, what can I say. easy to drink, find, and the epitome of constant. Available at every bar any where you bound to go and ready to be drank in any way you want to consume it. A safe mainstay drinker.
Bretton,
Primarily drink this only when mixing drinks.
Joel,
Good everyday bourbon. Smooth and not overly complex.
Chris,
Really suprising nose, with dense cherry and vanilla. Taste is a bit thin, with vanilla and honey, along with a dash of wood spice. Finish almost non existent, as it disappears very quickly. Good flavor, great nose
guest,
Tasty
Tony,
The nose is pleasant, sweet and nutty. But the taste is too spicy and very ‘ethanol-y’ for me, especially since the finish is the same way and lingers. It has it’s use as a cheap mixer or cooking ingredient. But I’d rather sip something else.
Nick,
Nose: Toffee, Sweet, Vanilla, Dark Fruit
Palate: Vanilla, Cinnamon, Oak
Linger: Decent
Overall nothing exceptional. For the price there are other whiskey's I'd rather drink.
Will,
Basic. Cheap. Mix with Schweps.
Bryan,
Not bad, but definitely would not go out of my way to purchase. Sweet and spice with a long finish.
Gene,
Old stand by a smooth sipper, nice on a summer night neaor on rocks
Josh,
Good bourbon always consistent. This is my go to bourbon for a Manhattan or Brooklyn cocktail
Gregory,
A solid bourbon, especially great to use in an Old Fashioned and other cocktails. Strong smoky oak flavor.
Elvis,
This is a great versatile bourbon to have at home. It's great in cocktails as well as to sip alone.
William,
Very nice bourbon, sweet, hints of charcoal, lingers on the palate. A good go-to sipping whiskey.
Brendan,
Tastes thin and cheap, with lots of ethanol. Would not buy again. If you're looking for a wheated bourbon, try and get your hands on some Weller's.
Carson,
Sweet and smooth, with a spicy undertone.
Jarod,
Not bad. Palatable enough to be taken straight (maybe with an ice cube) and also a good mixer. I'd rather pay a little more for something to sip on neat or pay less for a mixer with a little more kick.
guest,
After experimenting with various brands and flavors, this has gone to the back burner. This has become too hot and Spivey for me but is more suitable in an old fashion or whisk(e)y smash. The heat is on in thus one but there is a huge taste of cinnamon on the back end. Overall it’s not too bad, but I prefer EC these day’s.
Jacob,
Deeeelicious!
Robert,
Not bad, has a bit of a bite. Will look to upgrade to other Makers Mark products.
Zack,
Great sipping bourbon a very good everyday bourbon. This not a top of the line break it out to impress you friends drink. This is the drink you keep on hand because you like it.
guest,
Not too strong with good finish
guest,
Comforting, warm
Joshua,
too sweet for my taste, but a decent enough mixer
Paul,
I have loved Makers Mark For the last 30 years. Smoky, smooth, crisp... always satisfying.
James,
Inexpensive go-to whiskey. It is always in my family-vacation-survival-kit!
Clayton,
My favorite sipping drink. Goes down smooth.
guest,
Ah the Makers Mark truly a timeless bourbon. One of my favorite aspects of the Makers Mark is how fantastically it pairs with food most especially steak. Nose-much like Jack Daniels the minute you get a waft of the nose you know exactly what it is. Trademarked Makers Spice,Vanilla, Dark Fruits, hint of cinnamon Palate-More of the Makers Spice which is unique as the nose as well palate match up. More dark fruit..vanilla..hint of orange zest. Finish- the finish is medium ending in some wood notes. 8.68/8.7/10
David,
My go-to bourbon. Great on the rocks and makes wonderful old-fashioneds. Nutty and caramelly.
Matthew,
Not my favorite
Aaron,
This is my go to. Great flavor, nice bite but still smooth and enjoyable.
Chris,
Too spicy for me but otherwise good stuff
Kenneth,
Not too bad.
guest,
Good, I keep it around as a last resort or for company that wants to drink but either wants a mix drink or isn’t used to drinking whisky.
Robert,
Gorgeous smell. Bit too much burn for me.
Mark,
One of the smoothest. Great combination of carmel, vanilla flavors with no spicey after flavor
Matthew,
Solid
Charlie,
Love it. Been whiskey of choice for awhile.
Jonathan,
Great easy drinker
Randy,
My favorite go to bourbon
Zachary,
Standard bar choice
John,
A good standby.
Christopher,
Great basic bourbon
Sami,
My daily drinker, if anything I’ll always come back to it. Very spicy but smooth and flavorful.
Patrick,
Eh. Would drink if nothing else is available at the bar, and there isn't a decent IPA on tap instead.
guest,
A trusty go to entry level whisky
Jason,
Solid
Steven,
Good go to
Melissa,
Very drinkable. Straight or mixed it isn’t overpowering but tastes great
Peter,
Outstanding value
John,
My go to in college and at bars, cheap and full-bodied.
guest,
Favorite bourbon for mixed drinks.
Benjamin,
My go to bourbon when I’m looking for something to drink straight.
Christian,
One of my favourites so far. A pefect proof, that good quality doesn‘t have to be hyper-expensive. In my opinion a must have for every home bar. You can‘t go wrong with this one (at least dor that price!)
Nick,
Maker's Mark is often described as a good introductory bourbon owing to the sweet and smooth profile provided by the wheat in the mash bill, as opposed to rye. I've somehow managed to make it pretty far into my bourbon experience without trying this label, but fashionably late has always been my style.
The nose is nice with vanilla, caramel, and slight brown sugar, but that is all buried under a pretty solid layer of ethanol. I let it breathe for a few more minutes after my first few whiffs to see how the aroma would change as some of the alcohol dissipated. The second run had less alcohol with the other flavors heightened and the addition of oak underneath it all. The mouthfeel is smooth and creamy, thanks to the wheat. A sweet sip with the vanilla and caramel continuing, the charred oak becomes bolder and is accompanied by corn sweetness and butterscotch. The finish has a slight peppery heat and ends fairly quick. What does linger is leather and brown sugar, but neither is there for very long. Maker's Mark is good enough that it has certainly earned its reputation and definitely belongs on the list of good introductory bourbons. For the price, I prefer Larceny as my wheated everyday sipper, but Maker's tastes good enough and has the versatility to remain on my shelf permanently.
guest,
Mentor of mine told me bourbon was to be enjoyed. Not mixed or shot. This was his favorite and one of mine also. Smooth and hard to beat.
Mike,
Solid everyday drinker. Prefer in a Manhattan.
Bradley,
Nice Bourbon, strong, a little bit, fine flavor
Dan,
Love it.
Chad,
My go to budget burbon.
Justin,
A decent go-to. Reasonably priced and drinkable.
Lincoln,
My go to Whiskey. A great clean taste on ice.
Brian,
Modest price for modest spirit . Fairly one noted compared to others in price range. Typical caramel and oak. Short on length
guest,
Sweet, spicy with a bit of a sweet aftertaste. Good for the price. I think it’s a better mixer than sipper. Classic but not impressive.
Mike,
Great neat or as a mixer. Very solid.
Colton,
Old reliable
Michael,
Solid bourbon
Spencer,
Great bourbon. My go to, and it is always tasty.
Jeremy,
A great go-to for a mixed cocktail
Zachary,
Good for the price
Matthew,
Good standard bourbon. Good for mixing.
John,
solid whiskey for making cocktails
Trisha,
Go to bourbon in a pinch
George,
My all time classic choice. The definition of Kentucky Bourbon to me...
Landen,
Strong and bold
Luke,
Nose: vanilla, spice
Taste: vanilla and sweet, lots of oak, cream, brown sugar, fair amount of burn, oaky finish
Thomas,
Love the flavor and is a good choice to sip on.
Austin,
It’s good
Amanda,
My go to! I love it
guest,
My favorite budget bourbon.
Tim,
Smooth and easy to drink.
Dan,
My go-to-bourbon. Not too sweet. Best served with one rock or in a Manhattan.
Marcus,
Better than average but could up the 1st impression with a cork top, not screw on
Jamie,
Not my style.
Ron,
Love it. Too inexperienced to say why - it's smooth, and just tastes great.
Chad,
Maker's is my at-home staple, my general go-to.
Robert,
Smooth start. Lovely taste. No bite. Sweet finish.
Ian,
Keeps company with Jack Daniels, Wild Turkey, and Jim Beam in being the most available bottle at any average grocery, gas station, or bar well. Literally made to be easy drinking and easy mixing, and lives up to its purpose. Not super complex, tons of sweet notes, but mostly you'll probably be drinking it mixed with other things, so it's charm is in it's lack of notability. A bit better than it's retail peers when taken alone or on ice.
Lewis,
Good to drink all night.
Matt,
Better on rocks. Sweet and spicy.
J,
I am trying to dial in my flavor profile for what I like most. I wanted something with low Rye content but this still has a lot of spice for my preference. I like the brown sugar early but not a fan of the bitter late. Good, but not “The One”...
Chris,
Not bad. I like to use this to make cocktails like old fashioneds.
Brian,
Maker's Marks is the go-to for any mixed drink like a Manhattan. It has also won blind taste tests here at home. Great value.
Scott,
Very little flavor and way too strong of a bit in the finish with very little reward in the nose, palate, or finish.
Shawn,
Very new to rating spirits. Enjoy Maker's Mark but hoping to find better and better as I refine my tastes.
Debrenee,
If my standard weekday whiskey wasn’t Eagle Rare, I’d give it to Makers. It’s a solid weekday drink. Good flavor and will get the job done.
Ro,
Great bourbon for the buy, and definitely creates a place on the shelf being wheated.
guest,
Love makers
Elliott,
I like to simply mix with coke and it’s perfect!
Jeff,
Not a fan - good in a cocktail but on it’s own the finish is sour/bitter You can find better options
Melissa,
Has alot of bite to it. Not my favorite, but has more dimension than Jack Daniels.
Madison,
Haven't tried Maker's Mark in years. Been drinking scotch for 2 years, and delving into the world of whisky for the last few months. Was floored to learn this is one of the world's best selling. May have to give it another go since it's been so long, but for now, just the memory of original Maker's Mark makes me cringe.
Eduardo,
Nice bourbon, some vanilla and wheat notes with medium aftertaste
Andy,
As basic as Maker's is, it's still great every time.
Bain,
It's been my "go to" for a long time
Tara,
I enjoy this bourbon but not as much as some others. A good choice.
John,
Great Intro to Bourbon
Gary,
Excellent "middle ground", widely-available bourbon - just good enough to sip on its own, and just cheap enough to use in mixers. A classic. My "go to" for gifts and basics.
guest,
Aromas of sweet almonds, spiciness - almost like evergreen trees (rye?),
Tastes sweet, spicy
Nice finish, long to medium aftertaste - very drinkable, I want to keep going back for another sip
Erik,
Always like makers straight and mixer
Derrel,
I like it.
Griffin,
I don't know much about it . It's good . Just looking to broaden my horizens
Andrew,
a bit too sweet for my taste
Dean,
MY GO TO FOR BOTH MIXING (OLD FASHION) OR FOR SIPPING ON THE ROCKS
Kerry,
Best value in bourbon right here. I’d take Russell’s Reserve over this in a snap if this were not $10 cheaper. This is sweet, smooth, and consistent. Perfect on the rocks.
roberto,
great for price point, mild-medium and smooth
Thomas,
This is a Founders bottle, label has founders picture and says specially made for you
.
Prentice,
Drink weekly
Matt,
Its good, one of the go to whiskey/bourbon
Antti,
Maker's Mark has a bitter sweet birth of oak, caramel & vanilla; a life of honeyed fruit that leads to a sweet death of nuts & toffee.
Stephen,
This is my goto bourbon. I like the smooth flavor and rich wheat tones.
Jason,
Mandarin start with a subtle tobacco flavor. Finish is smooth caramel
Steven,
Very smooth - good value
Rich,
Less spicy than other bourbons but has a heavier finish. Bulleit tastes better and costs less
Aaron,
Very tasteful for the money!
Denis,
Хороший такой середнячок. Всё на месте без перегибов.
Dave,
Go to favorite
guest,
Go to Bourbon! Not only is it delicious but the company in general is great.
guest,
Favorite low-price bourbon
Crystal,
My favorite every occasion bourbon. Smooth on the pallet with little burn. Great taste as a cocktail or on the rocks by itself.
guest,
Love the stuff
guest,
Still trying to find a bourbon as a go to for social situation. I like the sweetness of this one, and I like it with one cube of ice.
Aaron,
Great stuff
Anthony,
A staple on any bourbon drinkers shelf.
guest,
неплохо. Сладковат. Ваниль. Карамель.
Ben,
I love it, it's my go to any day!
guest,
Absolutely love this
Stafone,
Makers is a nice middle of the road whiskey.
Gregory,
Good whiskey
guest,
Kokuda meşe, vanilya, tatlı.
İçim yumuşak, taze Fındık, vanilya, meşe, tatlı şurup
Yüksek alkolüne rağmen tatlı, yumuşak içimli.