As you probably know, my wife and I are a team when it comes to tasting notes. The notes are a combination of what we are each tasting. We discuss the differences, and if need be, they are pruned down or just combined if we don’t come to a consensus on what we are tasting. For example, you will often see the “almond” tasting note in our notes. Due to food allergies, I have no idea what an almond tastes like. But she has explained that the slightly “off” cherry/bubblegum note I often get tastes a lot like almond.
One of the reasons that we do this together (other than it being a fun hobby that we share) is for quality control purposes. Anyone who does tastings understands that sometimes things just aren’t hitting right. Either one of us has allergies flaring up or a cold, there is a smell in the house that is throwing things off (dogs or cooking usually), or we had something to eat earlier that is just hanging around longer than we thought it would. But by doubling up, we can decide if one of us is having an off day and postpone if needed.
But last night, as we were doing the tasting for tonight’s article, we both realized that what we were tasting was really bad. Out-of-character bad for a brand as big as Maker’s Mark. We each wondered if we were having an off night, but we were both getting the same bitter notes as the other. So we took our notes and prepared to write a poor review of the most recent release in the Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series. Here is a snippet of what I was writing for my thoughts:
Ok. So the first tasting of this is so bad, that I'm thinking the problem might be me. I really do not like this. It is bitter, tannic, and astringent. I'm going to have to give this another taste before we can write this. Something is really wrong.
Luckily Maker’s Mark sent two decanted samples instead of the one that I often get from other producers. I have no problem getting samples of whatever size that people feel like sending me. I don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. But in this case, if they would have only sent the one small bottle, they would have gotten a very poor review. After opening the second, we determined that there was something wrong with the first bottle. It was bitter and astringent in a way no Maker’s I’ve ever tasted had been. This is also why we try to do more than one tasting whenever we have the ability to do so.
So enough of the “trials” of a whiskey taster. Let’s get on to the actual tasting. What is the Barrel Finishing Series, and what is BEP?
The Barrel Finishing Series is a line of Limited Release Maker’s Mark Bourbons that use finishing staves to accentuate the flavors that are present in standard Maker’s Mark. In this case, BEP references Barrel Entry Proof. The lower entry proof that Maker’s Mark employs (110° proof) is one of the elements that Maker’s thinks make them special. And maybe it does. I have yet to taste a Maker’s product using the industry standard 125° entry proof, so I don’t know. Here is what they have to say about BEP:
As the fifth and final limited-edition in this chapter of the Wood Finishing Series, the 2023 Limited Release: BEP was crafted to amplify the balanced wood sugars, softer tannins and lasting finish that can be attributed to the signature Maker’s Mark 110 barrel entry proof. Ten Virgin Toasted American Oak finish staves were used to amplify notes of vanilla and sweet spice that naturally occur from this lower barrel entry proof.
Maker’s Mark always found that using a lower entry proof for its classic bourbon delivered more flavor, smoothness, and better quality. While higher entry proofs can yield more bourbon, the brand has always prioritized staying true to its original taste vision. Though distillers have been permitted to raise barrel entry proofs from 110 to 125 since 1962, Maker’s Mark remains the only major distillery from that time to have kept its BEP at 110. This exciting release makes it clear as to why using an innovative finishing approach that enhances the flavor profile and natural characteristics that come directly from the barrel.
So now that we know what they were trying to accomplish and I have tasting notes that aren’t based on a flawed sample, let’s dig in and see how it really tastes.
Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series, 2023 Release, BEP
Purchase Info: This sample was provided by the producer for review purposes. The suggested retail price is $69.99 for a 750 mL bottle.
Price per Drink (50 ml): $4.67
Details: Cask Strength, ranging from 108° to 114° proof. (I’m guessing that the sample in the photo above cribbed text from a standard sample label, and the person who typed it up forgot to update that part.)
Nose: Dusty oak, red fruit, vanilla, and caramel.
Mouth: Red fruit, cinnamon, caramel, vanilla, and black tea.
Finish: Warm and medium length. Notes of cinnamon, black tea, toffee, and almond.
