Dewberry 1850

Maker’s Mark Distillery

Attending college in Kentucky introduced me to bourbon before beer. Bourbon and whiskey was prolific in far western Kentucky where I spent 5 years in the early 90’s before bourbon became trendy. In dry Calloway County bourbon was popular in frat houses and backyard parties before there were release parties and long lines for the latest small batch.

I took a liking to Maker’s Mark. For my palette the nearby Maker’s Mark was a great fit. Smooth and caramel sweet on the front, a slow spice finish. It was my go to. By 2005 I had become an official Maker’s Mark Ambassador. Telling the world about Maker’s Mark.

That brings me to Dewberry 1850 and their new bar and restaurant. To my delight they have created and bottled their own Maker’s Private Select recipe and it is tasty. This one of a kind bourbon is only available in the contemporary and well appointed bar in the lobby of the Dayton Marriott hotel.

Unlike everyday bottles of Maker’s 46, Dewberry’s Private Select isn’t as sweet up front, heavier notes of vanilla and chocolate with a smooth yet peppery finish. I liked it alongside one of their Red Velvet cupcakes. The warm spice played well against the sweetness of the cupcake. Who doesn’t love cake and bourbon at lunch?

Here is their Makers Private Select recipe: 5 Seared French Cuvee, 2 Maker’s 46, 2 Roasted French Mocha and 1 Toasted French Spice. The staves are flavored via the amount of toasting or searing the oak pieces get from a flame.

In response to the growth of bourbon and the need to further differentiate themselves from a dozen other distilleries Maker’s Mark brought the world Maker’s 46.

Maker’s Mark 46™ was created in 2010 by Bill Samuels, Jr., In order to create something new, aged Maker’s Mark was re-barrelled and 10 seared French oak staves were added to the barrel and aged for an additional nine weeks. The product was a more robust and unique Maker’s. 46 represented the number of recipes (variations of seared and toasted staves) used to find the right combination.

Recently Maker’s opened up the “46 process” to bars and restaurants under the Private Select Product. The opportunity to create a unique version of Maker’s Mark 46. This recipe is created by altering the combinations of the wood staves added to the barrel.

While you can’t buy a bottle of Dewberry’s Private Select, you can grab it neat, over ice or in a cocktail at their bar in Dayton’s Marriott at UD. Beyond some delicious Maker’s Mark, they have their own barrel of Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve. Aged 9 years and really small batch (one barrel) it will be hard to find an exact replica of this bourbon anywhere else.

The Dewberry 1850 is the perfect spot for an after work drink with small plate and happy hour specials all week. Bring your laptop and stay late as the bar is equipped with an espresso machine with great coffees (and wifi) for those needing a place to plug in for late night work after the other coffee shops have closed. Bar is open until midnight.