Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series 2023 BEP

Following my prior remarks on the excessive cost of whiskey, I purchased two bottles of the new Maker's BEP for $70 each today. Despite a previous price point of $60, I don't find $70 to be excessive for this final release in the Maker's Finishing Series. I'm genuinely disappointed to see these end, as I've enjoyed previous editions and often wished I had a backup bottle for later enjoyment after finishing one. This led me to buy two of this latest release, similar to my experience with FAE-02. My personal preference for Maker's bourbon, particularly their standard Cask Strength and Finishing Series, made this a clear choice. This particular bottling appears darker than others in the Finishing Series, which I associate with richer flavor. As expected for a Barrel Entry Proof release, it amplifies the best qualities of Maker's, presenting at 110 proof. The aroma is somewhat intense but carries a pleasant sweet corn note, though my sinuses are currently affecting my sense of smell. The taste is remarkably smooth, featuring prominent notes of caramel, vanilla, dark tobacco, and cherry. The finish is enduring, with a hint of white pepper, a touch of cherry pie filling, and a subtle green apple undertone. Initially, I questioned how a 110 proof bottling celebrating Barrel Entry Proof would differ from the standard Cask Strength, but this version is distinct and, in my opinion, superior, especially in its exceptionally creamy and coating mouthfeel. It stands out as the best in the Finishing Series I've sampled so far, even with unopened bottles of BRT 02, FAE 01, and the 2020 Edition remaining. I'm curious about the reason for this being the final release, as these were annual highlights for me, much like specific batches of other bourbons are for some enthusiasts. If this is indeed the conclusion, Maker's has ended on a high note, comparable to a celebrated athlete's retirement after a successful career. I hold out hope that, like those instances, it's a temporary hiatus and the series will return. However, I trust that any future iterations will maintain this elevated standard. A decline in quality, akin to a less successful phase of an athlete's career, would suggest staying retired. While I'm saddened by the potential end, I might consider purchasing a third bottle if available after my budget resets.

The special releases from this brand have consistently been among my favorites. While there were a few less successful ones (for instance, the 2020 SE4 PR5), even those were quite good. And now we arrive at the final offering in this special series: the 2023 BEP. It's disappointing that this line is concluding. Each year, my excitement builds as spring transitions to summer and the weather warms. The anticipation of acquiring that year's unique release always generates enthusiasm for me around April or May. Compared to previous versions, the aroma of the BEP is noticeably less sharp, as anticipated given its slightly lower alcohol content. It presents a promising profile with all the right, classic scents. Caramel, vanilla, and chocolate are all present, along with a subtle hint of tannic charred oak. On the palate, the BEP is almost syrupy, bursting with vanilla, toffee, and brown sugar. The oak detected in the aroma reappears with just a gentle touch of baking spices. The finish reflects its alcohol strength, providing warmth as it goes down. This makes me think it would be an excellent choice for colder months. The sweetness gives way to tannic oak, cloves, and baking spices. The finish lingers, leaving a slight tingle in the center of your tongue. This ranks among the best in this collection. My personal preference leans towards the RC6 and FAE01 as the top two in this line, but this one is not far behind. Acquire a bottle and bid farewell to this series with one of its finest examples.

The aroma is quite inviting, with rich caramel and fruit notes like red apple, grape, and blackberry. It also has hints of sawdust, grass, old books, and oak furniture. The ethanol is a bit strong for the alcohol percentage. The taste mirrors the aroma but includes French vanilla, molasses, chocolate, mint, tobacco, and a bloom of spice like allspice and cinnamon. The flavors are quite bold. The finish is warm, bordering on hot, with black pepper, chili pepper, astringent oak, cinnamon, and unblended alcohol. However, there are also notes of burnt sugar, toasted char, and citrus zest, and it has a good length. The mouthfeel is sharp and tingly; a bit more smoothness would have improved it significantly. To start, I'm a big supporter of this series, but this one is a bit inconsistent. While I liked the fullness and richness, there are some off-notes that are difficult to overlook. It's not bad, and at $80, it's reasonably priced for the quality in today's market. I'll consider buying it again, but just barely; it's better than some in the series but not as good as FAE-01.

The aroma is an explosion of sweet oak, caramel, dark chocolate, a touch of heat, and hints of ripe fruit, characteristic of wheated bourbon. This profile is drastically different from the standard Maker's Mark. For what it is, it comes across as a dessert. The palate is gentle, rich, somewhat oily, and full of oak and caramel. Brown sugar flows through the mouth in a very subtle and balanced manner. It has a slightly chewy texture that enhances the dark chocolate notes. Faint hints of ripe fruit are present in the background but are not prominent and don't need to be. Everything is in harmonious balance and requires little else. The finish, however, is only medium at best. It falls a bit short compared to the rest of the experience. Nevertheless, a blend of all the flavors continues to mingle in the mouth, retaining some chewiness as it fades. While the finish is a slight disappointment, it doesn't detract from the overall deliciousness. This is a superb combination of wood finishing and a definite success.

MM BEP 2023, 109.6 proof. Sampled neat. Dark rosy brown color with average coating legs in the glass. The aroma is floral grain, green apple, and light wood. Oak tannins and ethanol are upfront on the palate. Sweet grain, white sugar, some vanilla. The mouthfeel is rather thin. Spicy grassy notes and astringent, sour fruit appear in the finish, which is dry but not long. With an ice cube, I found the ethanol less pronounced on the palate and the finish more woody than tannic. An interesting experiment in wood finishing with virgin oak staves. I'm uncertain if it significantly improves upon the MM 46 base, except for the higher ABV. However, it's pleasant if you prefer a darker/deeper oak flavor. I favored the MM BRT-02, 2022 wood finish version. I will taste this again another evening.

Appearance: medium amber. Smell: Oak, leather, and apples. Taste: My first sampling was neat. The initial impact on the senses was alcohol, accompanied by a pleasant warmth. I added a large ice sphere to temper it and allow the flavors to emerge. The first taste with ice presented a very spicy character along with the expected sweetness from this brand. However, I'm struggling to pinpoint specific notes on this initial tasting.* Conclusion: Drying and spicy/tingly. *I intend to provide more details soon, including outcomes from a planned blind comparison between this particular release and the two from the 2023 batch. Check back for updates...