Maker's Mark Launches World Wood Collection with Japanese Mizunara Oak
News related to:Maker's Mark · 2 min read
LORETTO, Ky., Oct. 6, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Maker's Mark, the iconic Kentucky bourbon, has announced the launch of its World Wood Collection, set to debut ahead of the Holiday 2026 season exclusively in airports around the globe. This new series celebrates the influence of exceptional oak from around the world, marking a significant step in the brand's pioneering wood finishing legacy.
The inaugural release, Expedition 01, is a groundbreaking whisky that features three oak finishes across three continents: Japanese Mizunara, French, and American white oak staves. This marks the first time Maker's Mark has utilized Japanese Mizunara oak in its whisky, a move that reflects the brand's commitment to exploring new flavors and expanding the boundaries of flavor in bourbon.
Expedition 01 brings together the unique characteristics of each oak species. Japanese Mizunara oak contributes delicate floral notes and subtle umami complexity, American white oak delivers sweet vanilla notes, brightness, and a rounded character, and French oak introduces warm baking spice, caramel richness, and an elegant, lingering finish. Each whisky is individually finished before being expertly blended into a single expression, resulting in a complex, balanced whisky that showcases the distinctive character of every oak.
Maker's Mark has a rich history of innovation and commitment to quality. Founded in 1953 by Margie and Bill Samuels, Sr., the company broke from tradition by burning the family's 170-year-old recipe to create a bold, balanced bourbon made with soft red winter wheat for signature sweetness and creaminess. The Samuels have always treated oak as a key ingredient, not simply a container for their whisky. In 2025, the distillery debuted Star Hill Farm Whisky, which earned the World's Best Wheat Whisky title and the first Estate Whiskey certification. This led to the creation of the Maker's Mark Regenerative Alliance, a bold commitment to advance regenerative farming beyond the business.
Maker's Mark continues to uphold its vision for better flavor and a better world, staying true to its founders' legacy of crafting uncompromisingly delicious bourbon.