Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond 9yr Vs. Maker’s Mark 2020 Limited Release

This is a matchup between 2 bottles released this year that are both wheated bourbons, both limited, and both sought-after. However, one is fairly easy to find, and the other is almost impossible. Fancy Glencairn chooses that Fancy Old Fitz bottle, let’s see if she was smart to jump on the allocated bandwagon!

Old Fitz) 100 proof, $93. Wheated Heaven Hill mashbill of 75% Corn, 20% Wheat, 5% Barley.
-The Nose is nice, with vanilla, maple, and toasted bread, along with notes of caramel and oak char.
-The Palate is fairly soft and sweet, with classic bourbon flavors, but nothing unique.
-The Finish is moderately long and slightly more interesting with some dark cherry, herbal notes, chocolate, and oak-spice.
Overall this is a very good classic wheated bourbon, but the packaging is more unique than the juice.

Maker’s) 110.8 Poof, $70. Created using SE4 and PR5 from Independent Stave Company. SE4 is made from virgin French oak convection cooked at medium heat as well as receiving a short toast period. PR5 is made from virgin American oak convection cooked slowly at a low heat.
-The Nose here is remarkably different, with more sweet-corn, caramel, and weathered oak, along with a slight barn-funk that I really like, and apple.
-The Palate starts more spicy with black pepper and baking spices, and quickly moves into sweet vanilla-icing, and then some bright fruity green-apple notes, then bitter-oak with toasted coconut.
-The Finish is medium-long, with more toasted coconut, vanilla, and oak.
Overall this is a very enjoyable, flavorful, and complex version of Maker’s Mark!

VERDICT) Trying these blind, it was crazy how much more I appreciated the Maker’s than the Old Fitz. MM2020 is just more INTERESTING and flavorful. Not that Old Fitz 9yr is bad, it’s just not that interesting. I’m very glad I have that beautiful decanter on my shelf, and I’m sure there are better releases of Old Fitz. But in this 2020 limited release comparison the Maker’s is my clear champion!
Fancy is still too busy admiring that decanter to hear anything I’ve said...

What do you guys think??