Maker's Mark 2026 Steward's Release

There’s something comforting about returning to Maker’s Mark—like going back to that friend who’s always steady, always welcoming, and somehow always has a fresh bottle open on the counter. For all the wild experimentation we see from distilleries today, 

Maker’s has this quiet confidence about who they are and what they do. Which, honestly, makes their annual Steward’s Release so fun. It’s Maker’s stepping out of their Sunday-best wheated sweetness and saying, “Alright, let’s play a little.”

And in 2026, they definitely played. This year’s release features 10 virgin oak staves—a bold move that made me wonder whether I should expect a cozy oak blanket or a full-on lumberyard. Turns out, it’s neither. Maker’s pulled off something more nuanced, more expressive, and just plain more interesting. 

Before we get into the glass, let’s set the scene.

A Quick Stroll Through Maker’s Mark History

Maker’s Mark is one of those distilleries whose origin story is almost too charming to be real. Bill Samuels Sr. quite literally burned his family’s 170-year-old whiskey recipe so he'd never be tempted to go back to it. Instead, he and Margie Samuels created something softer—something approachable—a wheated bourbon long before “wheated bourbon” was its own celebrity.

Margie also gave us the iconic red wax, the typography, the bottle shape—basically everything your eye recognizes on a store shelf. Maker’s Mark is one of the rare bourbons where the branding and the flavor profile grew up hand-in-hand.

And then there’s the distillery itself: Star Hill Farm in Loretto, Kentucky. Rolling hills. Limestone springs. Rickhouses that look like they were placed by a photographer with a very healthy Instagram following.

It’s the kind of place where tradition lives comfortably—but isn’t afraid of a little innovation, especially when it comes to stave finishing. Enter: the Private Select program, the Wood Finishing Series, and, now, our star of the moment—this year’s Steward’s Release.

Tasting the Maker’s Mark 2026 Steward’s Release

This year’s Steward’s Release pays homage to one of the several teams paramount to the distillation, aging, and bottling of Maker’s Mark and follows on the heels of some other incredible distillery releases, including the Wood Finishing BEP and BRT-02.

As mentioned earlier, this has been finished with ten, virgin oak staves. Two batches were releases: one at 109.6 proof (which we’ll be sampling), and another at 113.3 proof. We found this at a large, regional liquor store for $69.99.

Alright—let’s get to the pour.

Eye: Amber. Deep, glowing, and classic—like fall sunlight coming through a glass of sweet tea.

Nose: This pour opens with vanilla and oak right up front, letting you know those virgin staves definitely RSVP’d “yes”, followed by plum—a nice, dark, fruity touch—and a gentle wave of cinnamon spice and nutmeg. Adding a couple drops of water releases the caramel notes - richer and more pronounced -  like it finally worked up the courage to introduce itself.

Palate: The first thing you’ll notice is a lovely, slippery mouthfeel—silky, almost effortless. Oak, spice, caramel, and fruit all play together beautifully. The virgin staves add toasted character without overpowering the expression. While a couple drops of water did open up the caramel notes, it erased some of those more intricate, exquisite notes and lost depth.

Finish: Long, spicy, and drying.It keeps talking long after the sip, in that friendly-but-firm way that older oak tends to do. The spice hangs on, warming, steady, and gently assertive.

Overall: 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.