Cherry | Raspberry | Cigar wrapper | French vanilla | Toasted oak | Honeysuckle | Light cinnamon

Sweet oak | Cinnamon slurry | Stewed raspberries

Tannic oak | Cherry | Baking spices | Barrel char | Light barrel-aged maple syrup

Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series is a collection of bourbons that undergo a wood stave-finishing technique that is meant “to enhance distinctive characteristics already present in the brand's iconic bourbon.” Chapter 2 in the company’s Wood Finishing Series consists of five releases. “The Heart Release” was the first release, and the company states that it was focused on the “unique taste vision inspired by the distillery team.” “The Keepers Release” focuses on the people behind the barrel-rotating team, and was “inspired by the people who oversee the maturation of [their] whisky, the true 'Keepers' of Maker's Mark.” “The Stewards Release” is inspired by the distillery's operations teams, “who guide the bourbon's journey from first fermentation to final bottling.” Also notable, “The Stewards Release” will be delivered in two batches: one at 109.6 proof, and the other at 113.3 proof.

“The Stewards Release” is going to be familiar to anyone who has had a stave-finished Maker’s Mark bourbon before, but that’s not to say the limited release doesn’t have anything unique to offer. This release is much more fruit-focused compared to the previous two Wood Finishing Series releases - and even Mark’s Mark bourbon in general. Marker’s tends to go heavy with barrel notes in their aptly-named Wood Finishing Series, but that also results in a very focused flavor profile.

“The Stewards Release” opens with cherry and raspberry upfront that is nicely complemented with French vanilla, toasted oak, cinnamon, and a floral honeysuckle scent in the background. The palate begins with sweet oak and soon transitions to cinnamon slurry and stewed raspberries to good effect. The finish begins slightly bitter thanks to tannic oak, but quickly sheds it to reveal cherry, baking spices, barrel char, and barrel-aged maple syrup.

The latest Wood Finishing Series bourbon doesn’t reinvent the series, but once again offers slight tweaks - and in this case, those tweaks are effective. Given the extra fruitiness in “The Stewards Release,” many may find this release more enjoyable than the previous two. Hardcore Maker’s Mark fans will, of course, enjoy the variation, but anyone who owns multiple stave-finished private selections may struggle to fully warrant the purchase. Thankfully, Maker’s Mark continues to price this limited release series reasonably, at $75.