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Every bottle of Maker’s Mark uses the same mash bill. And yet no two expressions taste alike. The Loretto, KY distillery, founded in 1953 and best known for its iconic, hand-dipped red wax-sealed bottles, adjusts flavor via a combination of unique wood and wood stave finishes, proof changes, maturation times and even barrel aging locations, which range from traditional rickhouses to limestone cellars.

Their core products are fantastic, but it’s the distillery’s higher-proof limited editions that truly excite me. So I’m happy to announce that the Men’s Journal Spirits Shop and Maker’s Mark have collaborated on two exclusive Private Selection bottlings: Kentucky Black Forest Cake and Kentucky Snickerdoodle.

Those names are a very good indicator of the flavors bottled within—and the rivalry behind them runs deep.

To create these one-of-a-kind barrels, the Men’s Journal Spirits Shop went head-to-head with whiskey authority Conrad Dodd of @whiskeybonded to see who could build the ultimate Maker’s Mark Private Selection recipe. Two distinctly indulgent dessert profiles entered the cellar; now, both limited-run bottles are officially live in the Spirits Shop. (Read more about our trip to Loretto here.)

Here’s how the battle breaks down—and why the final verdict is up to you!

Men’s Journal Spirit Shop’s Pick: Maker’s Mark Private Selection Kentucky Black Forest Cake

Kentucky Black Forest Cake takes Maker’s Mark in a darker, richer direction. Toasted caramel and creamy oak lead into layers of milk chocolate, coffee, cherry, dark fruit, ripe fruit, and warming spice that give the bourbon added depth.

It’s the more decadent of the two expressions, with a profile that brings together the darker, richer side of the pair. Black Forest Cake leans into pure decadence, offering layers of toasted caramel, cloves, milk chocolate, coffee, and dark fruit, with warming spice and caramel delivered by Maker’s 46 staves. It would make an exceptional choice for a bold Manhattan riff.

• Proof: 109.5 (54.75% ABV)
• Stave Profile:
  • 0 Baked American Pure 2
  • 4 Seared French Cuvée
  • 3 Maker’s 46
  • 3 Roasted French Mendiant
  • 0 Toasted French Spice

Whiskey Bonded’s Pick: Maker’s Mark Private Selection: Kentucky Snickerdoodle

Kentucky Snickerdoodle showcases the warm, dessert-driven side of Maker’s Mark, opening with toasted caramel, vanilla, and baking spice before developing richer notes of milk chocolate, almond, and dried fruit.

Conrad Dodd’s recipe leans directly into balanced bakery warmth. The combination of Seared French Cuvée, Roasted French Mendiant, and Toasted French Spice staves gives the bourbon a creamy, layered character, with enough spice to keep the sweetness firmly in check. The finish is warm and dessert-like, carrying toasted caramel, vanilla, and baking spices through to milk chocolate and almond. It is sweet, but never too sweet.

• Proof: 111.2 (55.6% ABV)
• Stave Profile:
  • 0 Baked American Pure 2
  • 4 Seared French Cuvée
  • 0 Maker’s 46
  • 3 Roasted French Mendiant
  • 3 Toasted French Spice

Taste the Matchup. Deem a Winner.

By adjusting the combination of finishing staves, Dodd and the Men’s Journal team took the identical base and pushed it toward two opposite ends of the confectionery spectrum: one dark, brooding, and berry-tinged; the other bright, creamy, and loaded with spiced vanilla pastry.

Because of the hand-selected nature of the Private Selection program, once these single barrels sell out, they’re gone for good. You’ll never try anything like these from Maker’s Mark again, so act fast!

Ready to pick your side? Head to the Men’s Journal Spirits Shop, secure your bottles, and tag @mensjournal and @whiskeybonded with your side-by-side tasting notes to crown the winner of this barrel showdown.

We’re offering the two as a bundle for a discounted price of $145!