While Bourbon lovers are all aware of the famous Maker’s Mark with the iconic red wax top, not all are familiar with their wood finishing series, where toasted wood staves are added to the barrels for a few weeks or months of extra aging. The Keepers Release is the second in the series. From their website, “The Keepers Release is a one-of-a-kind expression inspired by the people who oversee the maturation of our whisky – the true “keepers” of Maker’s Mark.” Maker’s is one of a few Bourbon distilleries that rotate the barrels. They do this to get more uniformity. These “keepers” are responsible for moving the barrels up, down, and around the rick house.
The Keepers Release 2025 is aged for 6 plus years, sells for around $60, comes in the same looking corked bottle as the regular Maker’s, and can be somewhat hard to find. Our batch is 109.3 proof. The mash bill is 70% corn, 16% wheat, and 14% malted barley. Keepers is a blend of one batch that has staves for 5 weeks and another for nine weeks.
We are a little confused by this Bourbon. Keepers is 2nd release; Heart is the first. But isn’t Maker’s 46, which has been out for years, pretty much the same thing? We guess it’s the staves that are different, with 46 using French ones and Keepers using American Oak.
Full disclosure, we are not huge fans of regular Maker’s Mark drank straight, though one of us loves a two-finger pour with a good squeeze of lemon and a dash of simple syrup over ice. Having said that, we do like 46.
NOSE
TB: Lots here with vanilla, caramel, and warm baking spices being the primary aromas. Also, picking up oak, brown sugar, apple, and some nuttiness. Ice brings out some cinnamon, more caramel, and orange.
TASTE
TB: Very similar to the nose with caramel, vanilla, and a cinnamon spice up front. Secondary flavors include oak, brown sugar, bread, and some orange. Also picking up very slight tastes of cedar and dates. Ice just added more sweetness.
FINISH
TB: Medium long with a spicy sweetness.
OVERALL
TB: A very good Bourbon at a very good price. Would be great with a cigar.
Nose 4.5 out of 5
Taste 8.25 out of 10
Finish 4 out of 5
Total score 16.75 out of 20 barrels.
We have found us a keeper; Keepers Release that is. A very good nose, smooth to drink neat, and good with ice. It is a tad on the sweeter side, but most wheaters are. The price is lower than we thought it would be since it can be hard to find. And really, that is our main complaint: we find something we like and then realize we can’t get more of it.
If you can find a bottle and $60 is not out of your price range, we highly recommend buying a bottle of Maker’s Mark Keepers Release. We know we will.