Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series 2020 Limited Release
Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series 2020 Limited Release is the second annual chapter of Maker's Mark's wood experiment: a 110.8 proof (55.4% ABV), 750mL Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey finished with two virgin oak stave profiles — SE4 (Virgin French Oak, caramel notes) and PR5 (Virgin American Oak, vanilla notes) — developed with Independent Stave Company over twelve months of trials. The result tastes like butter pecan in a glass: amplified vanilla, warm baking spice, and creamy caramel layered over classic wheated Maker's. Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- Proof / ABV: 110.8 proof / 55.4% ABV (Maker's Mark official release figure)
- Size: 750mL (live listing wrongly tagged 1L — see applier flag)
- Stave profile: SE4 (Virgin French Oak, convection-cooked at medium heat, short toast — caramel) married with PR5 (Virgin American Oak, slow low-heat convection — vanilla)
- Origin: Maker's Mark Distillery, Loretto, Kentucky; wheated bourbon base
- Release: second annual Wood Finishing Series limited release (2020), $59.99 SRP at launch; nationwide while supplies lasted
Two Staves, One Butter-Pecan Bourbon
Maker's Mark 46 proved a single stave could remake the house bourbon; the 2019 Wood Finishing release chased baking spice and fruit with one. For 2020 the distillery went further, marrying two stave styles — the French-oak SE4 for caramel, the American-oak PR5 for vanilla — after a year of experimentation with barrel producer Independent Stave Company. Maker's calls the result a quest to "amp up those rich vanilla and buttery-caramel flavors" of its seasoned barrel wood, and the bottle delivers: butter pecan ice cream, heavy vanilla, spiced caramel, and a long, round, dry finish. Explore more Maker's Mark and our bourbon whiskey collection.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: heavy vanilla with spiced caramel. Palate: butter pecan ice cream — vanilla with creamy butter notes, dry spice, and caramelized sweetness. Finish: long, round, and dry.
How to Enjoy
Neat in a Glencairn at full proof to taste the stave work, or with a splash of water to open the toffee and fruit. A bourbon to savor, not to rush.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Wood Finishing Series?
An annual limited release from Maker's Mark exploring how different toasted stave profiles amplify flavors inside the classic wheated bourbon — each year a different stave experiment.
What do SE4 and PR5 mean?
The 2020 release's two stave profiles: SE4 is Virgin French Oak cooked at medium heat with a short toast (caramel notes); PR5 is Virgin American Oak cooked slowly at low heat (vanilla notes).
Is the 2020 release cask strength?
No — it's bottled at 110.8 proof (55.4% ABV), above the standard 90-proof Maker's but not cask strength.
A landmark annual release for bourbon fans — grab Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series 2020 online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.