Maker's Mark Mint Julep 1L

Maker's Mark Mint Julep 1L is a ready-to-serve bourbon-based mint julep liqueur bottled at 33% ABV (66 proof) in a 1-liter format. What distinguishes this expression is its limited annual production — Maker's Mark caps the number of bottles each year, and every label is hand-applied after a careful quality inspection of the contents.

Quick Facts: ABV: 33% (66 Proof)  |  Origin: Kentucky, USA  |  Style: Bourbon-Based Mint Julep Liqueur  |  Distillery: Maker's Mark

Production & Heritage

Maker's Mark, founded in 1953 in Loretto, Kentucky, by Bill Samuels Sr., is known for replacing rye in its mashbill with soft red winter wheat — a decision that defines the distillery's characteristically smooth, less spicy profile. The base bourbon in this mint julep uses the same 70% corn, 16% soft red winter wheat, and 14% malted barley mashbill. Rather than mass-producing this liqueur year-round, the distillery limits output to a set annual quantity, treating each bottle as a hand-finished product where quality takes clear precedence over volume.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: A refreshing wave of mint leads the nose, backed by the warm sweetness of bourbon caramel and soft vanilla. The mint reads as natural and restrained rather than artificial or overpowering.

Taste: The entry is extremely rich, with mint-infused bourbon arriving in a smooth, full-textured wave. Mid-palate, the sugar is well-judged — only slightly sweet rather than cloying — allowing the bourbon's grain character and a subtle spirit bite to push through. The balance between sweetness, mint, and whiskey warmth is precise.

Finish: Medium in length with a lovely smooth texture that coats the palate. Lingering notes of cool mint and gentle bourbon oak slowly fade, leaving a clean, balanced impression.

How to Drink Maker's Mark Mint Julep

The most straightforward serve is over crushed ice in a silver julep cup or rocks glass — the product is already blended and sweetened, so no additional preparation is required. For a garnished classic, pack a glass with crushed ice, pour generously, and top with a fresh mint sprig and a dusting of powdered sugar. Beyond the traditional serve, this liqueur works well in a Mint Julep Smash, where muddled lemon and extra fresh mint brighten the sweetness; a Julep Highball, topped with club soda for a lighter, effervescent warm-weather drink; or a Bourbon Sweet Tea Cocktail, blended with unsweetened iced tea and a lemon wedge, where the built-in sweetness and mint eliminate the need for simple syrup.

Best For

• Kentucky Derby Day parties and horse racing watch events
• Hosting summer gatherings where easy batch cocktails are essential
• Gifting bourbon enthusiasts who collect limited or seasonal releases
• Stocking a home bar for quick, no-prep classic cocktails

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Maker's Mark Mint Julep taste like? It tastes like mint-infused and sweetened bourbon — rich, smooth, and only slightly sweet with a noticeable spirit bite that prevents it from tipping into liqueur-level sugariness. The mint is natural-tasting and does not overpower the underlying bourbon flavor.

How does Maker's Mark Mint Julep compare to Old Forester Mint Julep? Old Forester Mint Julep, produced by Brown-Forman, is the official drink of the Kentucky Derby and is widely considered the dominant premixed mint julep on the market. In direct taste comparisons, the Old Forester version has been ranked higher, though the Maker's Mark expression is valued for its wheat-forward bourbon base and limited annual availability.

Is Maker's Mark Mint Julep good for Derby Day entertaining? It is arguably the most convenient option for serving mint juleps at a gathering — simply pour over crushed ice and garnish, with no mixing, muddling, or syrup preparation needed.

Where is Maker's Mark Mint Julep made? It is produced at the Maker's Mark distillery in Loretto, Kentucky, in the heart of bourbon country. The distillery sits along the limestone-rich waters of Hardin's Creek in Marion County.

What foods pair well with Maker's Mark Mint Julep? Dark chocolate truffles complement the bourbon's caramel sweetness; peach cobbler or stone fruit desserts echo the drink's Southern roots; sharp aged cheddar provides a savory counterpoint to the mint and sugar; spiced pecans mirror the warm grain notes; and lemon bars offer a tart contrast that balances the liqueur's sweetness.

What sizes does Maker's Mark Mint Julep come in? The standard format is a 1-liter bottle, which is the primary size this expression is released in.

Is Maker's Mark Mint Julep worth the price? It positions as a mid-range premixed cocktail liqueur, priced above basic ready-to-drink options but justified by its limited annual production, hand-finished bottling, and the quality of its Maker's Mark bourbon base.

Why Maker's Mark Mint Julep?

This is not a mass-produced, year-round mixer — Maker's Mark deliberately caps production to an annual quantity, lending a degree of scarcity that has earned the bottle a cult following on high-end back bars. The wheat-forward bourbon base, built on the distillery's signature 70/16/14 mashbill, delivers a smoother, less aggressive foundation than rye-heavy alternatives. Each bottle is hand-inspected and hand-labeled, a level of craft unusual for a premixed cocktail product. For anyone seeking a ready-to-pour julep that respects the bourbon underneath it, this limited release stands apart from the category's more widely available options.