Maker’s Mark Unveils The Keepers Release: 2025 Wood Finishing Series Bourbon Now Available
Honoring the Makers Behind the Maturation
The 2025 edition of Maker’s Mark’s Wood Finishing Series arrives as The Keepers Release, a high-proof, flavor-driven expression dedicated to the brand’s warehouse team—the unsung hands behind the barrels. Known for manually rotating every cask for even aging, this team’s quiet precision is now immortalized in liquid form.
This edition focuses on stave finishing, using two custom American oak profiles to deepen the flavor profile. It offers a rich sensory experience without an age statement, relying on blending and stave innovation for its complexity.
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Key Takeaways
Release Date: March 19, 2025
ABV: 54.6%
Limited Availability: Select retailers and the Maker’s Mark distillery
Price: $75
Highlight: Finished with two proprietary American oak staves for layered flavor complexity
Product Specifications
Mash Bill: Traditional Maker’s Mark wheated recipe — 70% corn, 16% red winter wheat, 14% malted barley
Stave Finishing: Two proprietary American oak staves
ABV/Proof: 54.6% ABV (109.2 proof)
Price: $75 for a 750ml bottle
Availability: Limited release at select retailers and the Maker’s Mark distillery
Tasting Notes
Nose: Toasted sweetness, brown sugar, subtle maple
Palate: Creamy texture with stone fruit, cocoa, and warming spice
Finish: Long, smooth, and dark chocolate-forward
Comparisons & Collector’s Perspective
The Keepers Release invites comparison with Maker’s Mark 46 Cask Strength, while expanding the stave concept into a more nuanced territory. High-proof fans will also find similarities with Larceny Barrel Proof and Old Forester 1920, but the stave-led profile and tribute angle make this release stand apart.
For collectors, this is expected to be a one-off expression in the 2025 Wood Finishing Series—adding urgency to those looking to secure a bottle. With limited quantities and distillery exclusivity, demand is anticipated to be high among enthusiasts and Maker’s Mark devotees.
Looking Ahead
With The Keepers Release, Maker’s Mark shines a spotlight on the behind-the-scenes labor that shapes every bottle. This launch sets the tone for future 2025 Wood Finishing Series expressions, which may continue to explore internal themes and new stave techniques.
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