Maker’s Mark “The Heart Release”

Maker’s Mark “The Heart Release” is a limited annual expression in the Wood Finishing Series, released in 2024 as the first expression in the series’ second chapter. It celebrates the team at the Maker’s Mark Distillery in Loretto, Kentucky, drawing inspiration from the collective sensory experiences of the people who work throughout the whisky-making process. Rather than focusing solely on production technique, this release reflects the flavor vision of those who live and breathe the brand daily.

The base spirit begins as Maker’s Mark’s classic wheated bourbon (70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley) matured in new charred American oak. It is then finished with virgin French oak staves — two batches of equal bourbon each seasoned with 10 French oak staves for different durations before being blended into the final expression. The result is a fruit-forward profile with layered notes of toasted sweetness, stone fruit, caramel, maple, and cocoa, supported by brown sugar, spice, and a long, silky finish.