There's something undeniably fun about Maker's Mark in Christmas Jumper Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Yes, the name is a mouthful, and yes, it's dressed up in seasonal knitwear — but underneath that festive packaging sits the same reliable bourbon that's been a bartender's staple for decades. I've poured more Maker's Mark than I can count over six years behind the stick, and this particular expression reminds me why it earned that spot on the back bar in the first place.
At 45% ABV, this sits just above the standard 40% offering, which gives it a touch more presence without tipping into hot territory. That extra proof matters more than people think — it's the difference between a bourbon that fades in a cocktail and one that holds its own. For a NAS (no age statement) bourbon, it punches with a confidence that suggests the distillers know exactly what they're blending from their warehouse stocks.
Maker's Mark has always been a wheated bourbon, which means soft red winter wheat replaces the rye you'd find in most Kentucky straight bourbons. That wheat in the mashbill is the entire personality of this whiskey — it's what gives Maker's its round, approachable character compared to the spicier, more assertive profile of a rye-forward bourbon like Wild Turkey or Four Roses Single Barrel. If you're someone who finds rye-heavy bourbons a bit aggressive, wheated expressions like this are your lane.
The 45% ABV also tells me this will handle a single large ice cube beautifully. Too many bourbons at 40% fall apart with dilution — they go thin and watery after five minutes. The slight bump here means you get a longer, more rewarding drinking window as the ice opens things up gradually.
Tasting Notes
I won't fabricate specific notes I don't have confirmed data on, but based on the wheated Maker's Mark profile at this proof point, expect the house character to come through clearly — that signature sweetness and warmth that's made this one of America's most recognised bourbons. The 45% ABV should carry those flavours with a bit more weight than the standard expression.
The Verdict
At £31.50, this is a no-brainer purchase, especially as a gift or a bit of seasonal fun for yourself. You're paying a small premium over the standard Maker's Mark for the novelty packaging, but the liquid inside is Kentucky straight bourbon at a respectable 45% — that's genuine value. It's not going to compete with single barrel picks or cask strength releases, and it doesn't need to. This is a crowd-pleasing, versatile bourbon that works neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails, and it looks great sitting on someone's kitchen counter in December. I'm giving it a 7.5 out of 10 — solid, dependable, and honestly more interesting at this proof than people might expect from a novelty bottle.
Best Served
Make an Old Fashioned with this. Two ounces of the Maker's Mark, a barspoon of rich demerara syrup, two dashes of Angostura bitters, stirred over a large ice cube with an expressed orange peel. The wheated softness works brilliantly here — you get a cocktail that's sweet and warming without any harsh edges. If cocktails aren't your thing, pour it neat or with a single large cube and let it breathe for a minute. At 45%, it's got enough backbone to reward either approach.
