Maker’s Mark BRT-01 (2022 Limited Release)
Overall Score: 6.5/10
Overall Value: 3.25/5
Distillery: Maker’s Mark
Classification: Straight Bourbon Finished with 10 Virgin Toasted American Oak Staves
Company: Beam Suntory
Release Date: Spring 2022
Proof: 109.4
Age: NAS
Mashbill: 70% Corn, 16% Wheat, 14% Malted Barley
Color: Golden Honey
MSRP: $60 (2022)
The Barrel Bros’ Review
The nose of the Maker’s Mark BRT-01 opens with a mix of familiar and unique aromas. There's a distinct grainy profile with notes of wheat, Cheerios, and Corn Pops, along with a surprising dusty leather glove scent that brings us back to our high school baseball days. Fruity layers of green apple, orange, and grape bring brightness, while maple syrup and French toast sweetness add depth. Some cedar and oak notes provide a general woodiness throughout.
The palate has a light, smooth mouthfeel. Oak dominates, accompanied by hints of honey graham crackers and subtle peanuts reminiscent of Atkinson’s Peanut Butter Bars. While the initial sweetness fades into dryness, there's a complexity that keeps the experience interesting. It's unmistakably Maker’s, but with a heavier oak influence and less of the typical sweet wheat profile.
The finish leans dry and oaky with a lingering touch of cherry and sweetness that's hard to pinpoint. While it provides a pleasant proof warmth, it dries the mouth, leaving primarily oak and peanuts. This is where the pour falls short, lacking complexity or evolution in its closing moments.
Maker’s Mark BRT-01 offers a refined yet dry experience that stands out from the brand's usual profile. While it may not appeal to those seeking bold sweetness, fans of oak-forward bourbons will find it enjoyable. With a balanced flavor profile and a dry finish, this bottle could make an excellent Old Fashioned.
At its $60 MSRP, it's worth considering, especially for those looking for something different from Maker’s. However, at a higher sale price—we’ve been seeing prices at around $150— it may fall short of delivering enough complexity for the cost.
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: 3.5/5
THE NOSE:
The nose is sweet and fruity with decent amount of woodiness that has an even balance of oak and cedar.
The fruitiness is green apple, orange, and grape.
The end starts to develop that sweetness into a french toast and maple syrup profile.
THE TASTE:
The mouthfeel is pretty light, but remains playful and coats the mouth evenly.
The palate is very balanced and feels refined. The sweetness is lost from the nose and it drinks fairly dry, however, it feels complex.
Oak and honey graham crackers are the main flavors here.
THE FINISH:
This is probably the weakest aspect of the pour.
It leaves a bit of a bite and really dries out the mouth, and leaves you with only an oaky flavor and a touch of cherry.
BUY OR PASS?
I surprisingly don't get much of the traditional Makers profile. This would make a seriously good old fashioned, the flavor is complex and the overall dryness would be well balanced in the drink.
It’s a very well-balanced bourbon, just not my preferred flavors. This bottle would probably drink better casually and not under direct review.
The Hunter Says
Score: 6/10
Value: 3/5
THE NOSE:
Wheat, paper, books, cherrios but not the honey nut variety. Corn pop cereal.
This may sound weird, but the nose is bringing to mind my dusty ball glove from my baseball playing days - I’ve never gotten that before.
THE TASTE:
Feels very sweet in the mouth, but not much of the sweetness comes through.
Definitely tastes like makers, but I am getting a large amount of oak on the palate.
After it opens up the sweetness that I do get reminds me of Atkinson's Peanut Butter Candy Bars - peanuts and wafer.
THE FINISH:
A lingering sweetness I can’t place and oak.
The proof point is nice, but not getting really any complexity.
After a bit, it drys the mouth and all I get is oak and maybe some peanuts.
BUY OR PASS?
Maker’s offerings are usually not my favorite, so keep that in mind. There is absolutely nothing I dislike about this pour, but also absolutely nothing I really enjoy.
If you’re a maker’s fanboy, this will probably be a hit for you.
