Category: OHLQ Maker’s Mark

OHLQ Announces 2023 Maker’s Mark Private Select Holiday Collection – Arriving Week of December 11

The Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) has announced the 2023 release of Maker’s Mark Private Select titled ‘Holiday Collection’. This version contains four expressions and will sell for $74.99 + tax per bottle (up from $69.99 + tax last year)…

The Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) has announced the 2023 release of Maker's Mark Private Select titled 'Holiday Collection'. This version contains four expressions and will sell for $74.99 + tax per bottle (up from $69.99 + tax last year). They will be available throughout the State starting the week of December 11th. You can check availability in your area using this link. 

For those new to the Private Select releases, Maker's Mark and OHLQ usually do two releases a year with the first release in the Spring/Summer timeframe and the second release in the Fall/Winter. 

  • Chocolate Covered Almond - Nose: Nutty, sweet and earthy, Taste: Cocoa, toasted almond and baking spices, Finish: Rich, heavy and toasty

  • Grandpa's Toddy - Nose: Sweet, bold and smoky, Taste: Caramel, chocolate and dried fruit, Finish: Long robust pipe-tobacco

  • Winter Wassel - Nose: Sweet, candy and lemon, Taste: Ripe fruit, crisp ginger and honey, Finish: Flashes of baking spice

  • Pecan Pie a la Mode - Nose: Light, sweet and almond, Taste: Caramel, vanilla and cashew, Finish: Long and sweet
My Take

There isn't a ton to say on these releases. They come out twice a year and they are usually pretty easy to find. This isn't a release I'd recommend camping out, but if any of the releases pique your interest, this might be one to pick up. For me, the Grampa's Toddy and Winter Wassel both sound horrible so I would personally avoid those. 

What do you think? Drop a note in the comment box below. 


Source: OHLQ

OHLQ Announces 2023 Maker’s Mark Private Select Summer Exclusives – Arriving Week of July 31

The Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) has announced the 2023 release of Maker’s Mark Private Select titled ‘Summer in Ohio’. This version contains five expressions and will sell for $74.99 + tax per bottle (up from $69.99 + tax last year). They wi…

The Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) has announced the 2023 release of Maker's Mark Private Select titled 'Summer in Ohio'. This version contains five expressions and will sell for $74.99 + tax per bottle (up from $69.99 + tax last year). They will be available throughout the State starting the week of July 31st. 

For those new to the Private Select releases, Maker's Mark and OHLQ usually do two releases a year with the first release in the Spring/Summer timeframe and the second release in the Fall/Winter. 

The five releases that make up this exclusive are:

  • Backyard Barbecue - 109 Proof (54.5% alcohol) - Sweet, aromatic smoke evolves to a dynamic flavor of molasses, toasted marshmallow, cumin, and sage, and finishes with a rich complexity and a fatty quality that coats the palate.

    Stave Profile: Baked American Pure 2 (1); Seared French Cuvee (2); Maker’s Mark 46 (3); Roasted French Mendiant (4)

  • Bonfire - 108.4 Proof (54.2% alcohol) - A captivating aroma of pipe tobacco and toffee expands to a palate of butterscotch, smoked applewood, toasted almond, and dark chocolate, and finishes with warm, full-bodied richness.

    Stave Profile: Maker’s Mark 46 (3); Roasted French Mendiant (5); Toasted French Spice (2)

  • County Fair - 108.9 Proof (54.45% alcohol) - An airy, fruity, floral, and toasty aroma delivers a delightful confectioner’s sugar, honey, cream, and cinnamon toast taste with intriguing notes of oak and cedar, and departs with a subtle, balanced, lingering finish.

    Stave Profile: Baked American Pure 2 (4); Seared French Cuvee (3); Toasted French Spice (3)

  • Lakeside Sipper - 108.3 Proof (54.15% alcohol) - A mellow, sweet, and cheerful orange, creamy aroma melts into a zesty, citrus-forward flavor with notes of honeysuckle, vanilla, and dried apricot, with a soft, bright finish.

    Stave Profile: Baked American Pure 2 (1); Seared French Cuvee (5); Maker’s Mark 46 (1); Roasted French Mendiant (1); Toasted French Spice (2)

  • Summer Wheat - 108.8 Proof (54.4% alcohol) - With an aroma that’s delicate yet rich, a shortbread flavor with earthy notes of sweet wheat exits with a bright, full-bodied finish.

    Stave Profile: Baked American Pure 2 (2); Seared French Cuvee (3); Maker’s Mark 46 (5)
It is not known how many bottles make up each release. To locate a bottle, you can use the OHLQ bottle finder.

My Take

This is what I wrote last summer:

I haven't been a huge fan of these releases because the tasting notes are usually insane and they seem like a marketing gimmick. I do like how this year, Maker's Mark is including the staves (barrel wood types) that make up the release. Different woods while aging will have a meaningful impact on the finished product and makes the blends different than other releases.

I'm not sure any of that has changed in this release other than the price has gone up over 7%. It's nice that this is a twice-annual release and I've seen this on the shelves... however, this isn't a release I'm going to spend a ton of time tracking down. 

What do you think? Drop a note in the comment box below. 


Source: OHLQ