Maker’s Mark Launches Wood Finishing Series 2023 Limited Release: BEP
Maker’s Mark has announced the fifth and final installment in the first chapter of its Wood Finishing Series: BEP, a release made to celebrate the brand’s 110 barrel entry proof.
Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series Limited Releases are crafted by finishing fully-matured, cask strength Maker’s Mark in secondary barrels containing proprietary wood staves. The barrels are rested in Maker’s Mark’s limestone cellar, where the cask strength bourbon interacts with the staves to develop the expressions’ unique taste profiles.
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 release 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.
BEP is described as having aromas of “toasty vanilla, subtle spice, and caramel”, a “bright” palate with “vanilla and brown sugar,” and a “medium bodied and balanced” finish with “rich caramel and dry baking spices.”
Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series 2023 Limited Release: BEP is bottled at a cask strength of 108-114 proof (54-57% ABV) and is available now at a suggested retail price of $69.99 for a 750 mL bottle.
Photo credit: Maker’s Mark.
Source: Maker’s Mark.