Overview: Maker’s Mark has introduced its first Mizunara-finished bourbon through the World Wood Collection Expedition 01 release. This new addition marks a significant expansion into wood finishing for the Kentucky distillery, which is part of a broader chapter running from 2024 to 2028. The spirit is available exclusively at global travel retail locations.
The Full Story
Over six decades of production, Maker’s Mark has maintained its identity as a wheated bourbon distillery. The brand expanded into wood finishing with the launch of Maker’s 46 in 2010, utilizing virgin French oak staves inserted into cask-strength whiskey. A Wood Finishing Series followed in 2019, featuring unique stave finishes using different woods seared to varying levels. This new release continues that legacy under a new chapter beginning in 2024, with the World Wood Collection being released exclusively at global travel retail locations including JFK, London, Istanbul, Perth, and Bengaluru.
The distillery is owned by Suntory Global Spirits, a Japanese company that controls House of Suntory and possesses access to Mizunara barrels. This ownership provides the brand with resources to work with rare Japanese oak known for being expensive and difficult to work with due to its porous nature. The release is positioned as a special offering for the duty-free market, drawing in consumers looking for something new at global airports.
Production & Profile
The bourbon was initially matured for seven years before spending nine weeks in the distillery’s limestone cellars to finish. Finished with virgin French oak staves seared via infrared, the process involves aging in limestone cellars for over two months. The wood blend consists of 55 percent American oak, 40 percent French oak, and 5 percent Mizunara. Master distiller Dr. Blake Layfield noted that searing uses infrared to “cook” the wood rather than toasting or charring it, releasing specific chemical compounds to flavor the whiskey.
The final blend clocks in at 47.5 percent ABV, or 95 proof. Tasting notes include incense and floral notes balanced by flavors like maple, vanilla, dark wood, leather, apple, and toasted almond. Despite it being just a fraction of the overall blend, this bourbon reads as Mizunara-influenced, which is a testament to the impact even a small amount of that type of wood can have on a whiskey.
Brand & Industry History
Maker’s Mark has been distilling wheated bourbon for over 60 years, utilizing wheat instead of rye as the secondary flavoring grain. The distillery expanded into wood finishing with the launch of Maker’s 46 in 2010, but this wasn’t your typical cask-finished whiskey. Instead of putting bourbon into a new set of barrels, the distillery inserts 10 virgin French oak staves that have been seared into cask-strength Maker’s, and lets the whiskey age for a little more than two months in its cool limestone cellars.
What This Means
The release is positioned as a special offering for the duty-free market, drawing in consumers looking for something new at global airports. While the exact percentages of staves used were small, the impact on the bourbon was significant. The brand may view this as a testing ground, though it remains available only at specific travel retail locations with an SRP of $85.
Consumer Takeaway
This bottle offers a unique profile for drinkers seeking to explore Japanese oak influences within a wheated bourbon framework. The combination of American and French oak with a fraction of Mizunara creates a balanced experience without overwhelming the palate. For travelers passing through designated airports, this release provides access to a limited edition spirit that has received a score of 94 out of 100.
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