Brian’s Maker’s Mark BEP Review:
reviewed 22-September-2023
MAKER’S MARK BEP BOURBON REVIEW:
Maker’s Mark BEP (Maker’s BEP) offers a warm and balanced sensory experience. The aroma and taste profiles are a harmonious blend of fruity notes, which feature red berries, plum, and raisin, paired with subtle spices like ginger and pepper. Yeasty qualities of wheat toast and pie crust meld with the sweetness of brown sugar caramel and honey, while light molasses adds depth. Light vanilla accents hints of cashew mixed in the presence of oak. Each sip is creamy and becomes oily over time, while the warm finish is dry and long with sensations reminiscent of those found on the nose and in the palate.
MAKER’S MARK BEP VITAL STATS:
Category: Wood Finishing Series
Region: Loretto, Ky
Company: Beam Suntory
Distillery: Maker’s Mark
Mash Bill: 70% Corn, 16% Wheat, 14% Malted Barley
Barrel Char: unpublished
Barrel entry proof: 110
Age: nas
Non-chill filtered
ABV: 54.8% (109.6 Proof)
NABCA CSC #:
Fair price: $98.64 (BoozApp, September 2023)
Paid: $69.95 (Idaho, Summer 2023)
This limited-release bourbon showcases the influence of Maker’s® unique, 110 barrel entry proof (also known as BEP)
For bourbon, this process delivers more flavor, smoothness, even color. The extra water helps improve the congener concentration, which imparts flavors of caramel, vanilla and baking spice. These decrease as BEPs increase.
Learn more at Maker’s Mark.
ENJOYMENT METHOD FOR THE REVIEW:
On Day 22 of the 2023 30 Bourbons in 30 Days Challenge, approximately four ounces from a newly opened bottle went into my Glencairn. After posting on social media and nosing the pour for the review, about 30 minutes had gone by before taking my first sip.
MAKER’S MARK BEP NOSE:
Maker’s BEP offers warm aromas of fruit tree blossoms mix with fresh notes of sweet corn and wheat. In the scent, hints of red berries nectar, maraschino cherries, and plum, blend with a trace of powdered ginger and nutmeg. There’s also a yeasty quality in which I sense wheat toast and pie crust, with a faint hint chocolate chips. Light vanilla notes mingle with a sweetness similar to caramel corn, simple syrup, light brown sugar, and honey, along with a touch of cashew nuttiness. As I breath in, the gentle presence of light oak and piney woodiness, create fresh and light undertones.
MAKER’S MARK BEP PALATE:
Maker’s BEP combines a warm potpourri of blossoms and herbs with sweet corn and wheaty notes. In the blend I taste notes of apricot, currants, plum, and freshly dried raisin flavors. These fruity elements are balanced by a subtle acidity and hints of ginger and black pepper spice. I get a sensation reminiscent of fresh baked wheat bread with faint bittersweet chocolate undertones and light vanilla accents. As I savor, I pick up notes of caramel corn, brown sugar, dark honey, and light molasses, coupled with a touch of hazelnut. Each sip reveals seasoned dry oak and toasted wood char, keeping the overall profile simple and approachable.
Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
I find Maker’s BEP has a pleasing balance. Its aromas and flavors of fruit align with those of wood, and pare nicely with the flora and spice. Notablyof note however, sweetness in the pour possesses a slightly greater intensity. Each sip exhibits creaminess and viscosity, and exhibits increased oiliness with prolonged holding. In the glass, a thin crown of rapidly descending droplets is suspended in the bowl. Following each sip, closely spaced clinging legs swiftly form, to transport the remainder back to the terracotta-colored pool.
MAKER’S MARK BEP FINISH
Maker’s Mark BEP delivers a long and dry throat-warming finish, accompanied by hints of wheat and roasted corn. Hidden within the blend, I perceive more than I taste; there are notes of red berries and dark fruits. Adding to the warmth, ginger, nutmeg, and black pepper give a tingle, while rich vanilla, brown sugar, and dark molasses add sweetness. There is a bit of hazelnut bitterness, which I find similar to what I taste on the palate, but they too are much subdued. Deep in each swallow, I feel seasoned dry oak and barrel char. And when the last dram is gone the empty Glencairn smells of faint oak and the blended aroma of the pour.
MY RATING: 89/100
Will I buy this whiskey again? YES
Click to read Brian’s scoring process.
Click 89/100 to access other whiskies with this score.
To access other reviews from this brand, click Maker’s Mark.
WHISKEY TRAITS, FLAVOR NOTES AND PROFILE GRAPH:
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