Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series The Stewards Release

Product Description

Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series: The Stewards Release (2026), Finished with 10 Virgin Toasted Oak Staves

The Stewards Release is the 2026 edition of Maker’s Mark’s Wood Finishing Series, the third of five releases in the series’ second chapter, which runs through 2028. Each release takes fully matured, handmade Maker’s Mark, made at Star Hill Farm in Loretto, Kentucky, and finishes it with a custom set of oak staves placed in the barrel for a secondary maturation, amplifying the flavors already in the bourbon. This year’s release honors the operations teams at Star Hill Farm, the stewards who guide the bourbon from first fermentation to final bottling, in quality control, bottling, engineering, safety, maintenance, security, processing, and shipping. It follows The Heart Release (2024) and The Keepers Release (2025).

For The Stewards Release, Maker’s Mark used 10 virgin toasted American oak staves, a change from the French and toasted oak of earlier releases. It’s bottled at higher strength in two batches, 109.6 proof and 113.3 proof, so check your label. It’s the wheated Maker’s Mark (70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley), with no age statement. Reviewers call it fruit-forward and dessert-like, rich and creamy without being heavy. It’s signed by Rob Samuels, the eighth-generation whisky maker, and sealed in the brand’s red wax.

What’s in the Bottle

• Kentucky straight bourbon, wheated mash bill (70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley)
• Finished with 10 virgin toasted American oak staves
• 109.6 or 113.3 proof, depending on the batch
• Maker’s Mark, Loretto, Kentucky; 2026 limited release, 3 of 5

Tasting Notes

From Maker’s Mark’s own notes.

Nose: Bright cherry pie and vanilla bean.

Palate: Honey, toasted marshmallow, and candied ginger.

Finish: Vibrant, with stone fruit and salted caramel.

Food Pairings

The cherry, honey, and caramel pair well with grilled peaches, bread pudding, and smoked pork. It also goes with dark chocolate, pecan pie, and crème brûlée.

Serving Suggestions

Sip it neat, with a few drops of water to open the fruit. It’s a limited release, best enjoyed slowly from a Glencairn glass, though it also makes a rich Old Fashioned.

Frequently Asked Questions

What proof is it? 109.6 or 113.3, depending on the batch.

What are the staves? 10 virgin toasted American oak staves.

How old is it? There’s no age statement.

Is it limited? Yes, it’s the third of five annual releases.

How is it different from the Keepers Release? This one uses American oak staves and has a fruitier, more dessert-like profile.

Is it wheated? Yes, it uses Maker’s Mark’s wheated mash bill.

Explore More

Browse our Bourbon collection or Whiskey collection for more limited releases.

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