OHLQ Announces 2023 Maker's Mark Private Select Summer Exclusives - Arriving Week of July 31

The Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) has announced the 2023 release of Maker's Mark Private Select titled 'Summer in Ohio'. This version contains five expressions and will sell for $74.99 + tax per bottle (up from $69.99 + tax last year). They will be available throughout the State starting the week of July 31st. 

For those new to the Private Select releases, Maker's Mark and OHLQ usually do two releases a year with the first release in the Spring/Summer timeframe and the second release in the Fall/Winter. 

• 2022 Fall/Winter Release
• 2022 Summer Release
• 2021 Fall/Winter Release
• 2021 Spring/Summer Release
• 2020 Fall/Winter Release
• 2020 Spring Summer Release

The five releases that make up this exclusive are:

• Backyard Barbecue - 109 Proof (54.5% alcohol) - Sweet, aromatic smoke evolves to a dynamic flavor of molasses, toasted marshmallow, cumin, and sage, and finishes with a rich complexity and a fatty quality that coats the palate.
  
  Stave Profile: Baked American Pure 2 (1); Seared French Cuvee (2); Maker’s Mark 46 (3); Roasted French Mendiant (4)
  
  
• Bonfire - 108.4 Proof (54.2% alcohol) - A captivating aroma of pipe tobacco and toffee expands to a palate of butterscotch, smoked applewood, toasted almond, and dark chocolate, and finishes with warm, full-bodied richness.
  
  Stave Profile: Maker’s Mark 46 (3); Roasted French Mendiant (5); Toasted French Spice (2)
  
  
• County Fair - 108.9 Proof (54.45% alcohol) - An airy, fruity, floral, and toasty aroma delivers a delightful confectioner’s sugar, honey, cream, and cinnamon toast taste with intriguing notes of oak and cedar, and departs with a subtle, balanced, lingering finish.
  
  Stave Profile: Baked American Pure 2 (4); Seared French Cuvee (3); Toasted French Spice (3)
  
  
• Lakeside Sipper - 108.3 Proof (54.15% alcohol) - A mellow, sweet, and cheerful orange, creamy aroma melts into a zesty, citrus-forward flavor with notes of honeysuckle, vanilla, and dried apricot, with a soft, bright finish.
  
  Stave Profile: Baked American Pure 2 (1); Seared French Cuvee (5); Maker’s Mark 46 (1); Roasted French Mendiant (1); Toasted French Spice (2)
  
  
• Summer Wheat - 108.8 Proof (54.4% alcohol) - With an aroma that’s delicate yet rich, a shortbread flavor with earthy notes of sweet wheat exits with a bright, full-bodied finish.
  
  Stave Profile: Baked American Pure 2 (2); Seared French Cuvee (3); Maker’s Mark 46 (5)

It is not known how many bottles make up each release. To locate a bottle, you can use the OHLQ bottle finder.

My Take

This is what I wrote last summer:

I haven't been a huge fan of these releases because the tasting notes are usually insane and they seem like a marketing gimmick. I do like how this year, Maker's Mark is including the staves (barrel wood types) that make up the release. Different woods while aging will have a meaningful impact on the finished product and makes the blends different than other releases.

I'm not sure any of that has changed in this release other than the price has gone up over 7%. It's nice that this is a twice-annual release and I've seen this on the shelves... however, this isn't a release I'm going to spend a ton of time tracking down. 

What do you think? Drop a note in the comment box below. 

Source: OHLQ