Distillery: Maker’s Mark | Series: Wood Finishing Series, 2nd Edition (Release 3 of 5)
Mashbill: 70% Corn, 16% Wheat, 14% Malted Barley
Proof: 109.8 (Note: a 113.3 proof batch was also released)
Finishing: 10 virgin toasted American oak staves
MSRP: $74.99 / 750mL
Purchased: MSRP
Color
A very nice, rich amber — warm and inviting, though not particularly dark. That’s consistent with what Maker’s Mark does differently from most distilleries: they rotate their barrels within the rickhouse throughout the aging process, ensuring a more controlled, consistent interaction with the wood. You won’t get the same deep mahogany you’d see in a single-spot aged product. What does stand out is the swirl — a thick, rich film clings to the glass, and the legs are slow and deliberate. This tells me the bourbon was likely barreled at around 115 proof and lost very little alcohol along the way. This one was barely proofed down, if at all.
Nose
The nose is oak-forward but knows exactly when to stop. It opens beautifully with baked cinnamon roll — warm, sugary, and inviting — layered with gentle fruitiness and a clean seasoned oak presence. It’s an approachable nose that draws you in rather than challenging you, with just enough complexity to reward a second and third sniff.
Palate
This is where The Stewards Release earns its keep. The flavor profile is genuinely exciting: raspberries and cherries lead the charge, followed by honey liquor sweetness, freshly baked cinnamon rolls, and a hint of clove. Underneath it all runs a bold oak backbone that provides structure without overwhelming the more delicate fruit notes. I’ll say it plainly — this is the most fruit-forward wheated bourbon I have ever tasted. The 10 virgin toasted American oak staves clearly did their work, and did it exceptionally well. The mouthfeel is wonderfully viscous. While it doesn’t quite reach the richness you’d find in a long-aged expression, it is remarkably elegant for a NAS release at this proof point.
Finish
The finish sees a compelling transition: those bright raspberries and cherries gradually candy and begin to recede, yielding the stage to clove and a bold, lingering oak presence. It’s a long finish with a satisfying, slightly dry close that reminds you this is a serious bourbon.
Overall
The Stewards Release is a unique and genuinely delicious bourbon. The combination of fruit-forward sweetness on the palate and the bold clove-and-oak finish gives this release a personality that stands apart — not just from Maker’s Mark’s standard lineup, but from wheated bourbons broadly. At MSRP of $74.99, this is a fair price for a cask-strength limited release of this quality. If you see either the 109.8 or 113.3 proof batch on your retailer’s shelf, don’t hesitate. That and given that the Maker’s Wood Finishing Series has, over the years, tended to favor French Oak staves, I have to say that going with American Oak makes a world of positive difference in the flavor profile.