Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series BEP 750ML

Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series BEP is a cask-strength wheated bourbon bottled at 110.7 proof (55.35% ABV) in a 750ml bottle. The "BEP" designation stands for Barrel Entry Proof — a reference to Maker's Mark's distinctive practice of entering spirit into barrels at just 110 proof, well below the legal maximum of 125, a choice that shapes the expression's notably balanced wood interaction and softer tannin profile.

Quick Facts: ABV: 55.35% (110.7 proof)  |  Origin: Loretto, Kentucky, USA  |  Wheated Bourbon, Wood Finishing Series  |  Distillery: Maker's Mark Distillery

Production & Heritage

Maker's Mark Distillery in Loretto, Kentucky, has produced wheated bourbon using the same 70% corn, 16% red winter wheat, and 14% malted barley mashbill for decades. The Wood Finishing Series explores how different stave treatments alter the distillery's base spirit. For the BEP release, ten virgin toasted American oak staves are placed into just-emptied standard Maker's Mark barrels, which are then refilled with bourbon and returned to the rickhouses for additional finishing. The lower 110-proof barrel entry point — central to this expression's concept — means the spirit extracts different compounds from oak over time compared to bourbon entered at higher proofs, yielding amplified wood sugars and a distinctly rounded mouthfeel. Batches in this series are produced in runs of fewer than 1,000 gallons.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Opens with heavy marshmallow sweetness before moving into tart citrus fruit rinds and toffee. Deeper inhales reveal layers of chocolate and robust oak underneath.

Taste: Brown sugar and caramel dominate the entry, joined quickly by graham cracker sweetness and butterscotch. The mid-palate shifts toward dry cinnamon sticks, hearty charred oak, and baking spices, while a brown butter richness ties the sweeter and spicier elements together. At full proof, these flavors arrive with considerable intensity but remain structured rather than hot.

Finish: Long and well-built, with lingering cinnamon, toasted nuts, and a drying oak grip that stays firm without turning astringent. The sweetness recedes gradually, leaving behind a satisfying balance of spice and barrel char.

How to Drink Maker's Mark BEP

At 110.7 proof, this bourbon rewards a slow, deliberate neat pour — give it a few minutes in the glass to open, and consider adding a few drops of water to coax out the butterscotch and graham cracker notes. The cask-strength backbone also makes it an exceptional cocktail base. An Old Fashioned benefits from BEP's brown sugar depth and cinnamon spice, standing up assertively to bitters and citrus. A Bourbon Smash pairs the graham cracker sweetness against fresh mint and lemon for a bright, layered drink. A Gold Rush — bourbon, honey syrup, and lemon — highlights the expression's caramel and toasted oak without masking its complexity.

Best For

• Bourbon enthusiasts exploring how barrel entry proof shapes flavor development
• Building a vertical tasting of the Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series releases
• Gifting a serious whiskey drinker who appreciates cask-strength wheated bourbon
• Side-by-side comparison tastings against standard Maker's Mark or Maker's Mark Cask Strength

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Maker's Mark BEP taste like? Maker's Mark BEP delivers bold brown sugar and caramel sweetness balanced by dry cinnamon, charred oak, and baking spice. A graham cracker and butterscotch quality runs throughout, with toasted nuts and lingering oak on the finish.

How does Maker's Mark BEP compare to Eagle Rare? Both are approachable bourbons with caramel-forward profiles, but BEP is a cask-strength wheated bourbon at 110.7 proof while Eagle Rare is a 10-year-old, 90-proof bourbon made with a traditional rye-based mashbill. BEP brings more heat and toasted oak intensity, whereas Eagle Rare leans toward a lighter body with orchard fruit and honey notes.

Is Maker's Mark BEP good for sipping neat? Yes — despite its 110.7-proof strength, the lower barrel entry proof contributes a rounded, less tannic character that makes it approachable neat. A small addition of water opens up additional butterscotch and vanilla nuances.

Where is Maker's Mark BEP made? Maker's Mark BEP is produced at the Maker's Mark Distillery in Loretto, Marion County, Kentucky. The distillery, a National Historic Landmark, has operated on the same site since the brand's founding.

What foods pair well with Maker's Mark BEP? Smoked pulled pork complements the charred oak and brown sugar notes. Dark chocolate truffles mirror the toffee and cinnamon. Pecan pie echoes the toasted nut finish. Sharp aged cheddar contrasts the bourbon's sweetness with savory bite. Crème brûlée resonates with the butterscotch and caramel character.

What sizes does Maker's Mark BEP come in? The Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series BEP is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Maker's Mark BEP worth the price? Maker's Mark BEP positions as a limited, premium expression within the Wood Finishing Series — a step above standard Maker's Mark and Maker's 46 but below allocated ultra-premium bourbons. For a cask-strength wheated bourbon with a distinctive production concept, it represents strong value within its tier.

Why Maker's Mark BEP?

The BEP release isolates a single, often-overlooked production variable — the proof at which bourbon enters the barrel — and builds an entire expression around it. Maker's Mark's 110-proof entry point is meaningfully lower than what most Kentucky distilleries use, and this bottling is designed to showcase exactly how that decision translates into the glass: softer tannins, amplified wood sugars, and a finish that stays structured without bitterness. Combined with the virgin toasted American oak stave finishing and the distillery's signature wheated mashbill, BEP stands as one of the more intellectually engaging releases in the Wood Finishing Series. For drinkers who want to understand how process shapes flavor — not just enjoy the result — this is a compelling bottle.