Makers Mark Distillery Makers Mark Bourbon Whisky

Maker's Mark is that one bottle on the supermaket shelf that stands out- that big hand-dipped red wax seal around the top 1/3rd of the bottle looks right out of the 18th century.

It's always a couple of pounds more than Jack Daniels- a fact that'd put me off buying it many a time- "The thick end of £20 on something I might not drink?.....Naaah". But Waitrose had knocked £5 off and I was out of Jack, so in the basket it went.

On the nose its got little of the 'surgical spirit' harshness you get with many bourbons, and none of that over-sweet perfume you get from a glassful of Jack. On it's own, there's a good deal of heat but the flavours are spicey and fruity- almost rum-like. Which is nice, as I rather like a good rum. It's much drier than Jack too, so try it if your not a fan of JD!

Much less sweet and sickly than Jack Daniels, this is now my Bourbon of choice- unlike Jack, I can drink this with just a little soda water and lime cordial to add much needed sourness. It mixes well with coke, but that masks many of the nicer flavours.

I had always wanted to try Makers Mark Bourbon Whisky and finally this Christmas I got my hands on a bottle. I am thrilled. The flavors of the whisky are fine, there seems to be a hint of vanilla and smoke that can often be over powered by the alcohol in the drink, there is no such problem with this one. The after taste is surprisingly smooth, and hints of apples.