Maker’s Mark BEP (2023 Limited Release)
Overall Score: 6.75/10
Overall Value: 3/5
Distillery: Maker’s Mark
Classification: Straight Bourbon Finished with Oak Staves
Company: Beam Suntory
Release Date: March 2023
Proof: 110.7
Age: NAS
Mashbill: 70% Corn, 16% Wheat, 14% Malted Barley
Color: Dark Honey
MSRP: $70 (2023)
The Barrel Bros’ Review
The nose of the Maker’s Mark BEP (Wood Finishing Series 2023 Limited Release) delivers a light, fruity profile reminiscent of Buffalo Trace offerings like Weller Antique 107 or even E.H. Taylor. There’s also Honey Nut Cheerios, gooey butter bar, and cherry cola, rounded out by a touch of banana nut bread.
The palate brings a rich, dark sweetness, offering a buttery mouthfeel and a burst of cherry flavor. However, it quickly transitions to dry oak and a grainy wheated profile, which may not appeal to everyone. While the initial sip hints at caramel or butterscotch, the oak takes over, giving a woody taste that can feel like oak shavings in the glass.
The finish balances sweet oak with lingering fruity notes, offering a contrast to the dry oak in the palate. It sticks around for a while, with a subtle sweetness that emerges late, adding a slight touch of complexity.
At an MSRP of $70, Maker’s Mark BEP presents a divisive experience for us. It excels with its inviting nose and long-lasting finish, but the palate may not meet expectations for those hoping for more sweetness or complexity. While some fans of Maker’s or wheated bourbons might find it worth the price, others may want to wait for a sale or pass altogether. Overall, it’s a solid release but not without its flaws.
If you're a Maker's Mark fan or curious about their special releases, this is one to consider—but it might not be everyone's favorite pour.
If you’re looking for specific notes from our Barrel Bros, read their individual reviews below!
Individual Reviews
The Rye Guy Says
Score: 7/10
Value: 3/5
THE NOSE:
Cherry Cola. Smells like a buffalo trace, specifically E.H. Taylor.
I also get a bit of banana nut bread.
THE TASTE:
It has a buttery mouthfeel.
The flavor I get is mostly cherry with a bit of dry oak.
The wheated profile comes through.
THE FINISH:
The finish actually sweetens up with a bit of fruitiness that lingers for a long while.
BUY OR PASS?
The palate lets this one down, unfortunately. So a pass for me.
The Hunter Says
Score: 6.5/10
Value: 3/5
THE NOSE:
This smells great right from the start—light and fruity, with a profile similar to Weller Antique 107.
It has that familiar wheated Buffalo Trace vibe, and as it opens up, I’m getting Honey Nut Cheerios and a bit of gooey butter bar.
THE TASTE:
It starts with a rich dark sweetness, which is exactly what I look for, but then it shifts to the grainy, wheated taste that isn’t my favorite.
Just when I’m expecting caramel or butterscotch, it leans into dry oak instead.
It almost feels like someone added oak shavings to the mix—I can practically taste the wood.
THE FINISH:
The finish is mostly sweet oak, which lasts a while, but doesn’t offer much else.
BUY OR PASS?
I’m not usually a huge fan of Maker’s products or their special releases, but this one is definitely one of their better offerings.
Unfortunately, it seemed to get a bit worse the more I drank it. That said, if you’re into Maker’s, this might be right up your alley.
