Maker’s Mark Creates A Limited Edition, Single Stave Select Bourbon

The Maker’s Mark private barrel program, known as Maker’s Mark Select, was very much an outgrowth of the introduction of Maker’s 46. That bourbon used French Oak stave inserts to put a finish on otherwise normal Maker’s Mark, and the private barrel program took that notion a step further by allowing restaurants, bars and stores to create their own stave inserts for individualized finishes.

Now the Loretto, Kentucky distillery has gone a step further and crafted a limited edition, Kentucky-only bourbon called Seared Bu 1-3. This is a single stave release used 10 experimental virgin seared and sous-vide French Oak staves.

The development of the distillery’s private barrel program resulted in certain wood and charring or toasting combinations that yielded noteworthy results, but ultimately were not desirable for use as part of the palette of flavors offered to Maker’s Mark Select customers. Seared Bu 1-3, which reportedly brings out honey and butterscotch, was one of these.

Maker’s Mark Select Seared Bu-13 will be released in a run of 1,400 375 ml bottles at the distillery and at select Kentucky retailers for $40 a bottle.