The Wheated Base Blend — Trial 001

Advancement Status

Best Target Fit

Blend

Blind Code

Calculated Proof

Components

Trial 001 — Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Trial 001 — Knob Creek Small Batch 9 Year Trial 001 — Penelope Cooper Series Rio Trial 001 — Benchmark Full Proof

Created

Aug 30, 2026 3:43 PM

Date Blended

September 1, 2026

Decision

Evaluations

Trial 001 — Initial — Native Proof Trial 001 — Initial — Normalized to 107 Proof Trial 001 — Independent Repeat — Native Proof Trial 001 — Independent Repeat — Normalized to 107 Proof

Finish

Last Edited

Sep 1, 2026 12:27 PM

Native Passes

Normalized Passes

Nose

Observations

Single-person pilot. Native blend proof calculates to 107.68 using Maker’s Mark Cask Strength at 112 proof. Prepare and evaluate separate native-proof and normalized-to-107-proof samples. Repeat both sessions from a fresh, independently measured preparation without consulting the first-session notes until the repeat results are recorded. Initial pilot rest condition: 7 days. This is a controlled test variable, not a universal marriage rule. For each normalized 15 mL evaluation sample, add 0.10 mL water to serve at approximately 107 proof. Physical preparation was confirmed by the user on 2026-09-01. The exact preparation clock time, actual vessel details, and Maker’s Mark batch or lot were not reported and remain open metadata.

Palate

Planned Batch Size (mL)

Preparation Check

Proof Points

Proofs Entered

Rating

Ready Date

Repeat Leader Passes

Required Components

Required Evaluations

Rest Days

Sessions Completed

Status

Resting

Target Proof

107

Tasting Date

Total Batch Size (mL)

Trial Number

Vessel

User-prepared; actual vessel details not reported. Planned control: clean glass, at least 75 mL, tight inert-lined cap, minimal headspace.

Volume Check

Water Added (mL)

Whiskey Volume (mL)

🧪

Operational pilot. The confirmed four-bottle recipe and 60 mL volumes are loaded. Maker’s Mark Cask Strength is recorded at 112 proof, producing a calculated native blend proof of 107.68. Preparation Check should now read Ready.

Objective

This 107-proof custom blend introduces a mature, rustic complexity to a rich and velvety wheated foundation. Cloaked in an elegant aroma of dusty leather, seasoned oak, and cinnamon coffee cake, the palate seamlessly balances deeply layered dessert notes of buttery maple syrup and warm Amburana spice with a grounding mid-palate of charred oak, roasted pecans, and leathery tobacco. The result is a highly structured, elite-tier daily drinker that mirrors the body and sophisticated wood profile of a vintage, decades-old expression while retaining a unique, honeyed finish that punches far above its price tag.

Working Hypothesis

Maker’s Mark Cask Strength — 34% / 20.4 mL: rich, velvety wheated foundation and bakery sweetness.
Knob Creek Small Batch 9 Year — 30% / 18 mL: mature oak, roasted pecan, leather, and depth.
Penelope Cooper Series Rio — 20% / 12 mL: honey, maple-dessert character, and Amburana spice.
Benchmark Full Proof — 16% / 9.6 mL: proof, cinnamon, charred oak, tobacco, and structure.

Before Blending

~~Record Maker’s Mark Cask Strength at 112 proof.~~

Record the Maker’s Mark batch or lot if available.

~~Verify the other bottle proofs: Knob Creek 100, Rio 98, Benchmark 125.~~

~~Confirm the four component volumes total exactly 60.0 mL.~~

~~Confirm the calculated native proof is 107.68.~~

~~Record the vessel and intended rest period: clean glass vessel of at least 75 mL, tight inert-lined cap, minimal headspace; 7 days.~~

Resting Checkpoint

~~Physical preparation confirmed on September 1, 2026.~~

~~Trial status changed to Resting.~~

~~Seven-day rest condition started.~~

Record the exact preparation clock time, actual vessel details, and Maker’s Mark batch or lot if they become available.

Begin the initial native-proof and normalized-proof evaluations no earlier than September 8, 2026.

Evaluation Protocol

One person performs preparation, service, evaluation, and recordkeeping.
Evaluate a native-proof sample and a separately normalized 107-proof sample.
Conduct an independently prepared repeat of both proof treatments in a later session.
For the repeat, remake the samples from the authoritative recipe and do not consult the initial sensory notes or rankings until the repeat records are complete.
Stock may be consumed as necessary to complete the protocol.

Advancement Standard

A candidate advances only if it passes the minimum quality requirements, scores at least 4 of 5 for target fit, and remains in the leading group during an independently prepared repeat session.

Evaluation Sessions

Use the linked session records below. Check Evaluation Complete only after preparation details, sensory notes, quality decision, target-fit score, and leading-group status are locked.

Component Name	Order	Whiskey	Role	Volume (mL)	Proof Used	Profile Proof	Rationale
Trial 001 — Maker’s Mark Cask Strength	1	Maker’s Mark: Cask Strength Whiskey	Foundation	20.4	112	112	Provides the rich, velvety wheated foundation, bakery sweetness, and rounded body. Bottle proof recorded as 112.
Trial 001 — Knob Creek Small Batch 9 Year	2		Oak / Depth	18	100		Supplies mature seasoned oak, roasted pecan, leather, caramel, and structural depth.
Trial 001 — Penelope Cooper Series Rio	3	Penelope: Cooper Series Rio	Modifier	12	98	98	Provides the honeyed dessert layer, cinnamon coffee-cake character, and warm Amburana spice.
Trial 001 — Benchmark Full Proof	4		Spice / Structure	9.6	125		Adds proof, charred oak, cinnamon, tobacco, and a firmer structural backbone.

Evaluation Name	Session Stage	Proof Treatment
Trial 001 — Initial — Native Proof	Initial	Native Proof
Trial 001 — Initial — Normalized to 107 Proof	Initial	Normalized Proof
Trial 001 — Independent Repeat — Native Proof	Independent Repeat	Native Proof
Trial 001 — Independent Repeat — Normalized to 107 Proof	Independent Repeat	Normalized Proof