The Barrel's Construction

Maker's Mark seems a little finicky when it comes to making their bourbon, but this is what makes it what it is. The barrels are no exception and require one extra step from the cooper in Lebanon, Kentucky. Before a barrel is constructed each of the staves, or wood planks, are aged outside for 9 months. This extra step helps prevents tannins from tainting the bourbon as it ages and those tannins cause a bourbon to go bitter. So it's only logical that if your goal is to create a non-bitter bourbon you will take this extra step to ensure they are not added anywhere in the process, especially when you're so close to being done. Once the new, oak barrels are constructed they are charred for 40 seconds to create an inner layer that creates the perfect caramelizing core for the bourbon to seep in and out of throughout the coming years.