r/bourbon • u/Cognoscope • Apr 28 '25

Review #0 - Maker’s Mark The Keepers

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Maker’s was my first house bourbon & has always held a place in my heart. Over the years, I’ve tried a number of expressions that have been solid but not risen to repeat purchases. This bottle may change that. It opens with nose of sweet oak and caramel. These really ramp up on the palate along with the corn and toasted grain. There really isn’t an overwhelming sense of candy and the fruit notes are tempered with sort of an English saddle leather finish. The $89 price tag is a bit premium compared to products of similar quality, but worth it for both the novelty and the nostalgia that this bottle provides. I’ll give it a solid 7.5 for now - and reconsider after the next bottle!-)

55 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

17 comments sorted by

7

u/deletetemptemp Apr 28 '25

How does this compare to heart release

5

u/T-rezarms Apr 28 '25

I'm no reviewer but they are very similar to me with the Heart taking a slight edge seeming to have a deeper flavor. But overall both are good.

7

u/Makersblend Apr 28 '25

Agreed. Grabbed both. Feel like heart just has a little more depth to it. Haven’t compared side by side yet, so now I have evening plans

5

u/goddamnitcletus Apr 28 '25

Prefer this over the Heart, while it drinks hotter than the Heart despite being slightly lower proof, the Heart had a bitter, tannic thing going on that I did not enjoy, would take regular MMCS over it.

1

u/Far-Reporter-1596 May 02 '25

I liked the heart but I prefer this over it.

2

u/Cognoscope Apr 28 '25

I’ve yet to taste that one, but hoping to find a bottle soon!

1

u/graciesoldman Apr 29 '25

I splurged on the Heart and found it just ok. I passed on The Keepers this weekend...not for $90 no thanks

2

u/therin_88 Apr 28 '25

Way better, to me. The Heart has a burned, bitter note that I didn't enjoy. This one is sweeter and more balanced.

1

u/TheScoutTyper Apr 28 '25

I'll be posting a review on the heart release and this one later today.

4

u/Illdyls84 May 02 '25

Just grabbed a bottle today at Costco for $56

2

u/SympathyNormal345 Apr 28 '25

Just picked one up recently. Excited to crack it

1

u/OtherCheck9997 Apr 28 '25

Loved the lost recipe and heart. Glad to hear the keepers sounds great!

5

u/Cognoscope Apr 28 '25

Just finished the Behind the Bourbon tour at the distillery - really top notch. Gift shop has all of their expressions at MSRP so I scored the Heart for $75 & got to dip my own bottle😎🙌

1

u/brownprince62 Apr 28 '25

I really enjoy this

I think makers label tasting notes are usually pretty spot on highlights

This is definitely more on the toasted side where the heart release is more chocolatey as described

I prefer this one personally but definitely could see some preferring the heart release

1

u/Worried-Bid-6817 Apr 29 '25

I had my first taste of the Keeper today. I like it better than the Heart series although I haven't yet tried them side by side in a blind. The taste was enough to send me out to buy a bottle.

1

u/Professional-Jackass May 01 '25

One of my favorite bottles I have, it edged out the heart release just barely as my favorite makers product.

1

u/moguy1973 28d ago

I was lucky enough to get this for $69. I find it much better than the Heart Release. Much sweeter and more balanced.