US Only Release
2026 Release
54.9% / 109.8 Proof
The Stewards Release continues to celebrate the artistry of the Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series, utilising innovative oak stave techniques to craft bold and complex flavours.
The Stewards Release celebrates the dedicated team at Star Hill Farm, who meticulously oversee every aspect of the process to produce Maker’s Mark. Their craftsmanship, precision, and expertise ensure that we navigate challenges seamlessly, delivering excellence from the initial liquid to the final bottling.
This release pays tribute to the unwavering care and commitment of the distillery’s "stewards," whose attention to detail embodies our pursuit of quality in every drop.
The result is a vibrant expression, with hints of raw honey and stone fruit.
Tasting Notes:
Aroma: Bright, Cherry Pie, Vanilla Beans.
Taste: Honey, Toasted Marshmallow, Candied Ginger.
Finish: A vibrant forward finish with notes of stone fruit and salted caramel.
"The Stewards Release" is a more fruit-forward stave-finished bourbon in Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series that offers a sweeter, slightly more nuanced take on the series' signature oak-heavy flavor profile." - Eric Hasman, Breaking Bourbon (Well Above Average)
"This is a Confident, Oak-Forward Maker’s With Plenty to Say. What I love about the 2026 Steward’s Release is how intentionally it leans into the oak without tipping into harsh territory. Ten virgin oak staves have been craftfully used to create a pour that feels familiar to the Maker’s faithful but bold enough to intrigue anyone who enjoys a more oak-driven profile." - Joseph Bourbon
"Since Maker's makes no bad whiskey, what's in the bottle is good sipping whiskey." - Steve Coomes, Bourbon & Banter
"I found the nose led with the kind of eucalyptus and pine scent I often encounter hiking through a Portuguese forest, backed by a stewed pot of dark berries (blackberries, mulberries) seasoned with vanilla. On the palate, that current of forest notes turns tannic, oaky and spicy, but that is moderated by a certain non-descript, earthy quality. The sweet side clings to character that is very much like benchmark bourbon brown sugar plus vanilla, with those dark berry notes stirred in. The finish strips that down to a pinch of baking spices." - Richard Thomas, The Whiskey Reviewer
"Rock solid. Not complex but super tasty and sweet, with a perfect amount of complementary oak." - David Morrow, The Daily Pour (89 Points)
