Maker's Mark Released World Wood Collection Bourbon

The distiller debuted its first bourbon featuring Japanese mizunara oak for global travel retail customers.

Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Cocktails

Maker's Mark Released World Wood Collection Bourbon

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Maker's Mark has launched its World Wood Collection Expedition 01, marking the first time the distillery has utilized Japanese mizunara oak. The new bourbon is currently available exclusively at global travel retail locations.

Why it matters

This release expands the distillery's experimentation with unique wood finishes to appeal to international travelers. It serves as the latest iteration of the brand's long-term wood finishing innovation strategy.

The bourbon features a blend of three distinct oak types and is bottled at 47.5 percent ABV. It carries a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $85.

The players

Maker's Mark

This Kentucky-based distillery has been producing whiskey for over 60 years.

Suntory Global Spirits

This international company owns Maker's Mark and manages its global distribution.

The details

The bourbon matured for seven years before spending nine weeks in limestone cellars for finishing. The process involves inserting 10 seared virgin oak staves into cask-strength whiskey, with infrared heat used to extract specific flavoring compounds.

Timeline

  1. 2010: Maker's 46 launched.

  2. 2019: Wood Finishing Series launched.

  3. 2023: Wood Finishing Series ended.

  4. 2024: New chapter of Wood Finishing Series began.

  5. 2028: Wood Finishing Series scheduled to conclude.

Culture Shift

This release follows a pattern set by the Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series. It marks a departure from traditional single-wood profiles by incorporating rare Japanese mizunara oak to cater to an increasingly globalized premium spirits market.

The bourbon is available exclusively at select global travel retail locations rather than standard liquor stores. Travelers should note the $85 price point when planning purchases at airport or international transit duty-free shops.

The takeaway

This release highlights the distillery's move toward globalized ingredients to differentiate its premium offerings. Collectors and travelers can expect these specialized wood-finished blends to remain a limited fixture in international transit hubs through 2028.

What happens next

The ongoing Wood Finishing Series is scheduled to conclude its current run in 2028.

Further reading

For more information on premium spirits, visit our Cocktails section.

Live Poll

Would you pay a premium for limited-edition spirits only available at airport duty-free shops?