Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series 2023 BEP

A very quick toffee taste, almost some mint hidden in there with a little cherry. Better neat or right after putting a single cube.

Maybe better neat. Choc comes out for sure. Ice doesnt do it justice.

Nose is pretty enticing, with rich caramels and fruits in the form of red apple, grape and blackberry. Additional hints of sawdust, grass, old books, and oak furniture. A little too much ethanol for the proof. Palate matches the nose well, but adds French vanilla, molasses, chocolate, mint, tobacco, and a spice bloom of allspice and cinnamon. Flavors do come across decently bold. As for the finish, warm to the point of sliding into hot with black pepper, chili pepper, astringent oak, cinnamon, and unattenuated alcohol. It’s not all bad; on the plus side are some burnt sugars, toasty char, and citrus zest. It’s also nicely long. Mouthfeel is sharp and prickly; a little more softness would have went a long way. Let me start by saying I’m big fan of this series, but a bit of a mixed bag here. On one hand, I appreciated the fullness and richness. On the other, we have some off notes that are hard to ignore. It far from sucks, and at $80 is priced right for the quality in today’s market. I’ll give it rebuy status by the slightest of margins; better than some in the series but not as good as FAE-01.