Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series The Stewards Release 2026
2026 limited release | 10 virgin oak staves | ~6 years | 750mL — Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series: The Stewards Release (2026) is the third installment in the second Wood Finishing Series — a five-year journey exploring "the people behind the proof," honoring the operational leaders at Star Hill Farm. Like the whole series, it starts with Maker's signature wheated bourbon and finishes it with 10 virgin oak staves cooked to precise flavor specs, amplifying honey, vanilla, and spice. The bottle in hand reads 109.8 proof (54.9% ABV); check your bottle for the batch proof. Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.
Distillery notes promise bright aromas of cherry pie and vanilla bean, layered flavors of honey, toasted marshmallow, and candied ginger, and a vibrant finish of stone fruit and salted caramel. Among limited-edition Maker's Mark releases, the Wood Finishing Series is the connoisseur's annual hunt — The Stewards Release follows The Heart Release (2024) and The Keepers Release (2025), with the series concluding in 2028.
Tasting notes
Nose: cherry pie, vanilla bean. Palate: honey, toasted marshmallow, candied ginger. Finish: stone fruit, salted caramel, vibrant. (Per Suntory Global Spirits release notes.)
Why buy it from Del Mesa Liquor
- 2026 limited release — 750mL; 109.8 proof (54.9% ABV) per the bottle label
- Finished with 10 virgin oak staves
- Third release in the second Wood Finishing Series (Heart 2024, Keepers 2025, series ends 2028)
- Honors the operational leaders at Star Hill Farm, Loretto, KY
- Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor
How to serve it
Neat to catch the stave-driven honey and spice; the higher-proof batch takes a drop of water beautifully.
Frequently asked questions
What proof is The Stewards Release?
The bottle in hand reads 109.8 proof (54.9% ABV); batch proofs may vary — check the label on your bottle.
What is the Wood Finishing Series?
Maker's Mark's annual limited-edition series that finishes the signature wheated bourbon with custom oak staves to amplify specific flavors.
How does it differ from Maker's 46?
Both use stave finishing, but the Wood Finishing Series is a limited annual release with a different stave recipe and a higher proof each year.
Is it collectible?
Yes — it's a one-year, limited-edition release, and the series' annual installments are popular with collectors.