Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series The Keepers Release 2025
Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series The Keepers Release 2025 is the 2025 chapter of the distillery's annual oak experiment: fully matured cask-strength Maker's Mark — aged six to seven years — finished with two distinct toasted American oak staves, then blended in equal proportions and bottled at a cask-strength 109.2 proof (54.6% ABV) in this 750mL bottle — and it is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
The Wood Finishing Series is where Maker's Mark's Loretto, Kentucky innovators push the wheated recipe beyond the red-wax standard. The 2025 Keepers Release takes the classic 70% corn, 16% red winter wheat, 14% malted barley bourbon at full maturity, then finishes it with Stave Profile 1 for five additional weeks and Stave Profile 2 for nine weeks — two different toasted-oak signatures layered into one bottle. It is a separate, genuine 2025 release (announced March 2025), not a reprint of the 2024 Keepers Release.
Tasting notes (official launch): rich oak-forward aromas of seasoned wood, brûléed sugar, and tobacco; long enveloping finish of dried dark fruit and lingering roasted sweetness.
Why buy the 2025 Keepers Release? Because it's Maker's Mark at its most ambitious — cask-strength, dual-stave finished, one year only. Browse the bourbon collection, the Maker's Mark brand collection, and more limited releases in whisky.
Serving note: neat in a Glencairn — at 109.2 proof, patience and a little water pay off.
Is this the same as the 2024 Keepers Release? No — same series name, different release: the 2025 edition is a separate bottling with its own stave finish and proof.
What is the stave finish? Two toasted American oak stave profiles — 5 weeks on Profile 1, 9 weeks on Profile 2 — blended in equal proportions.
What proof is it? 109.2 proof (54.6% ABV), bottled at cask strength, 750mL.
What is the mash bill? 70% corn, 16% red winter wheat, 14% malted barley — Maker's wheated recipe.
