{"product_id":"makers-mark-the-stewards-release-wood-finishing-series-2026","title":"Maker's Mark The Stewards Release Wood Finishing Series 2026","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaker's Mark The Stewards Release is the 2026 edition of the Wood Finishing Series — fully matured cask strength Maker's Mark given a secondary maturation with exactly 10 virgin oak staves, bottled at cask strength (109.8–113.3 proof) and signed off by Rob Samuels, grandson of the founders. Release code EBE-26.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Wood Finishing Series uses an innovative stave-finishing technique to amplify characteristics already present in Maker's Mark's wheated bourbon. For The Stewards Release, fully matured cask strength bourbon undergoes a secondary maturation with 10 virgin oak staves placed directly into the barrel, drawing out concentrated wood sugars and tannins for a deeper, bolder profile while keeping the soft, red-winter-wheat smoothness that defines the brand. Each year's release carries its own stave configuration; the 2026 is sealed with the iconic dripping red wax.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eNose:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bright orchard fruit and vanilla bean over toasted oak and sweet caramel\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Thick and full-bodied — raw honey and sweet stone fruit carried by the high proof, balanced by baking spice and seasoned oak tannins\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long, warming, and sweet, with dark honey, subtle cinnamon, and oak lingering\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSpecs\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDistillery:\u003c\/strong\u003e Maker's Mark Distillery, Loretto, Kentucky\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eStyle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky, Wheated — Wood Finishing Series, stave finished\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eFinishing:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10 virgin oak staves, secondary maturation\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eProof:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cask strength, 109.8–113.3 (54.9–56.65% ABV)\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eRelease:\u003c\/strong\u003e The Stewards Release 2026 (Code EBE-26), signed by Rob Samuels\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e 750ml\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eBrowse all \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/makers-mark\"\u003eMaker's Mark\u003c\/a\u003e at Wooden Cork.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eHow is The Stewards Release different from standard Maker's Mark?\u003c\/strong\u003e It starts as fully matured cask strength Maker's Mark, then gets a secondary maturation with 10 virgin oak staves added to the barrel, producing a bolder, fresher oak character and more concentrated sweetness than the standard profile.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eIs it cask strength?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — bottled at 109.8–113.3 proof (54.9–56.65% ABV), full strength while staying smooth on the wheated base.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eWhat makes it collectible?\u003c\/strong\u003e It is an annual, allocated Wood Finishing Series release (The Stewards Release, Code EBE-26), sealed with the iconic red wax and signed by Rob Samuels.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How is The Stewards Release different from standard Maker's Mark?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"It starts as fully matured cask strength Maker's Mark, then gets a secondary maturation with 10 virgin oak staves added to the barrel, producing a bolder, fresher oak character and more concentrated sweetness than the standard profile.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Is it cask strength?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes — bottled at 109.8–113.3 proof (54.9–56.65% ABV), full strength while staying smooth on the wheated base.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What makes it collectible?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"It is an annual, allocated Wood Finishing Series release (The Stewards Release, Code EBE-26), sealed with the iconic red wax and signed by Rob Samuels.\"}}]}\u003c\/script\u003e","brand":"Maker's Mark","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42900650688583,"sku":"MAKERS-MARK-STEWARDS-2026","price":79.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0687\/0640\/2375\/files\/Maker_sMarkTheStewardsReleaseWoodFinishingSeries2026_bf3699a8-61b6-4061-b4ca-61e301748e05.png?v=1782400228","url":"https:\/\/bourbonnest.com\/products\/makers-mark-the-stewards-release-wood-finishing-series-2026","provider":"Bourbon Nest","version":"1.0","type":"link"}