Maker’s Mark Unveils 2026 Wood Finishing Series: The Stewards Release

LORETTO, Ky., March 9, 2026 – Maker’s Mark, the iconic handmade Kentucky bourbon, today announced the 2026 release of its Wood Finishing Series: The Stewards Release—an expression inspired by the distillery’s operations teams who guide the bourbon’s journey from first fermentation to final bottling.

“From the beginning, Maker’s Mark has been guided by my grandparents’ pursuit of exceptional flavor and deep respect for everyone who makes our whisky—from our grain growers to those who barrel and bottle our bourbon,” said Rob Samuels, eighth-generation whisky maker and managing director, Maker’s Mark. “We continue to honor our founders’ vision through the Wood Finishing Series, which showcases our innovative spirit, celebrates our quality and craftsmanship and recognizes the teams who make our whisky possible.” 

The Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series features one-of-a-kind expressions crafted using an innovative wood stave finishing technique that amplifies the distinctive characteristics of the brand’s signature bourbon. The Stewards Release (2026) opens with bright aromas evoking cherry pie and vanilla bean, layered with tasting notes of honey, toasted marshmallow and candied ginger, culminating in a vibrant finish marked by stone fruit and salted caramel.

“Consumers today want exceptional whisky, but they’re also interested in the values behind the brand and the people who make it,” said Dr. Blake Layfield, master distiller at Maker’s Mark. “Bartenders feel the same way. They want to know more about the process, the ingredients and the craftsmanship in what they pour. The Stewards Release brings that philosophy to life, inspired by the operational leaders at Star Hill Farm and the care that goes into every step of production.”

Marking the midpoint of a five-year journey, the Stewards Release (2026) is the third installment in the second Wood Finishing Series. Set to conclude in 2028, this series explores the people behind the proof and follows The Keepers Release (2025), inspired by the warehouse team who ensure every barrel of Maker’s Mark matures consistently to the founders’ taste vision, and The Heart Release (2024), inspired by the distillery team—the makers of Maker’s Mark, crafting its handmade bourbon in Loretto, Kentucky.

The Stewards Release will be delivered in two batches: one at 59.4% ABV / 109.6 proof, and the other at 56.65% ABV / 113.3 proof. Both will be available at U.S. retailers at a suggested MSRP of $74.99 beginning today. For more information, please visit www.MakersMark.com.

About Maker’s Mark

Maker’s Mark® is the iconic handmade Kentucky bourbon driven by a vision for better flavor and a better world. In 1953, founders Margie and Bill Samuels, Sr. broke from tradition—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. From the start, the Samuels went to remarkable lengths to craft uncompromisingly delicious bourbon—a perfectly unreasonable spirit that endures today. Every bottle is still hand-dipped in red wax, every barrel rotated by hand and every decision guided by the brand’s higher purpose.

Staying true to its founders’ vision, Maker’s Mark has expanded its portfolio with award-winning, super-premium expressions, including Maker’s Mark 46, Cask Strength, and Cellar Aged, as well as Private Selection, the brand’s custom barrel program. In 2025, the distillery debuted Star Hill Farm Whisky, its first-ever wheat whisky. Award-winning and the first to earn Estate Whiskey certification, Star Hill Farm Whisky inspired the Maker’s Mark Regenerative Alliance, a bold commitment to advance regenerative farming beyond its business, inviting farms, bars and restaurants to join the movement.

Maker’s Mark is proud to be both B Corp and Regenified Certified – milestones driven by the sustainability leadership at Star Hill Farm, home of the Maker’s Mark Distillery, which strives to be the most endearing, culturally rich and environmentally responsible homeplace in the world.

Learn more at www.makersmark.com.

About Suntory Global Spirits

As a world leader in premium spirits, Suntory Global Spirits inspires the brilliance of life, by creating rich experiences for people, in harmony with nature. Known for its craftsmanship of premium whiskies, including Jim Beam® and Maker’s Mark®; Japanese whiskies, including Yamazaki®, Hakushu®, Hibiki® and Toki™; and leading Scotch brands including Laphroaig® and Bowmore®, Suntory Global Spirits also produces leading brands such as Tres Generaciones® and El Tesoro® tequila, Roku™ and Sipsmith® gin, and is a world leader in Ready-To-Drink cocktails, with brands like -196™ (minus one-nine-six) and On The Rocks™ Premium Cocktails.

A global company with approximately 6,000 employees in nearly 30 countries, Suntory Global Spirits is driven by its core values of Growing for Good, Yatte Minahare and Giving Back to Society. The company’s Proof Positive sustainability strategy includes ambitious goals and investments to drive sustainable change and have a positive impact on the planet, consumers and communities. Headquartered in New York City, Suntory Global Spirits is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information, visit www.suntoryglobalspirits.com

DISTILLING THE SPIRIT OF PARIS

The Macallan Master Whisky Maker, Kirsteen Campbell, and Joan Roca, chef at El Celler de Can Roca, set out to capture the essence of Paris, the capital of cuisine and birthplace of modern dining.

The experience was brought to life with acclaimed chef Anne-Sophie Pic as host, offering a refined lens on the city’s culinary spirit.

They immersed themselves in the rituals of “l’art de la table”, the French tradition of transforming meals into meaningful experiences. Through people, places and flavours, they captured the spirit of Paris. Their journey inspired both a single malt and a menu that reflect the city’s distinctive character.

READ THE STORY

“This whisky is a deeply personal creation, inspired by my time in Paris with Joan Roca and Anne-Sophie Pic. Paris embodies elegance, passion, and sophistication, and I embraced the challenging yet beautiful task of distilling its very soul – an essence that can now be savoured.”

Kirsteen Campbell
Master Whisky Maker

WATCH THE DOCUMENTARY

THE WHISKY

This limited-edition single malt captures the essence of Paris through the tastes, aromas and sensations of a journey.Notes of sandalwood and gentle spices open on the nose and linger on the finish, a subtle nod to the city’s storied perfume houses. Soft toasted oak evokes the incense of Paris’ historic landmarks, while notes of sweet nectarine and peach melba on the palate recall the elegance of classic French patisserie.

DISCOVER

Douglas Laing & Co. Launches Scallywag 18-Year-Old – A Limited-Edition Speyside Malt Finished in Pedro Ximénez Sherry Casks

Independent Scotch Whisky specialist Douglas Laing & Co. announces the release of Scallywag 18-Year-Old, a new limited edition bottling that showcases a richly mature side to the much-loved Scallywag Speyside Malt Scotch Whisky range.

At 18 glorious years of age, this special release represents a crowning moment for Scallywag. The whisky’s final years have been spent in the finest Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks from Jerez, in the Andalusian region of southern Spain. This coveted cask style is renowned for imparting decadent sweetness and depth – perfectly complementing Scallywag’s signature sherried character and delivering a dram of notable richness and elegance.

Bottled at 46% ABV, Scallywag 18-Year-Old is offered in a strictly limited run of 2,610 bottles available globally, creating a rare opportunity for collectors and whisky lovers alike to experience the brand at extended age.

On the palate, Scallywag 18-Year-Old is said to deliver opulent notes of dark chocolate truffles, spiced orange peel and toasted walnuts, unfolding into treacle toffee and black cherries, with a warming whisper of cinnamon. A lingering finish brings oak spice, espresso and dried figs, rounding out a rewarding and memorable tasting experience.

Scott Morrison, Senior Brand Manager comments:

“This 18-Year-Old release is a special milestone for Scallywag. The extended maturation, combined with a luxurious Pedro Ximénez Sherry cask finish, brings remarkable richness and depth, offering whisky lovers the opportunity to experience a more mature and indulgent side of the brand.”

Scallywag 18-Year-Old will be available through select whisky specialists and premium retailers worldwide with a suggested RRP of £85.00.

Every slight alteration has a profound influence on our whisky – for us, details aren’t an afterthought, they’re everything. Our Master Whisky Maker has an incredible knowledge of the character, nuances and idiosyncrasies of the spirit in her care. It is embracing these details that makes our whisky what it is.

Our latest campaign has been brought to life by the renowned photographer François Halard, who captures The Glenrothes in the homes of people for whom every detail counts, who – like us – curate variety to create an exceptional whole.

We are honoured to be featured in the three homes of: John Pawson, pioneering minimalist architectural designer in the Cotswolds, the fashion brand Self-Portrait’s founder and creative director Han Chong in London, and the Paris home of Julie de Libran, a couture designer known for her work at Prada, Versace, Louis Vuitton, and her eponymous brand.

Discover More

2016 Laphroaig 9 Year Old “Redacted Bros” Single Barrel Cask Strength Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)  $59.99

2014 Braeval 11 Year Old “Redacted Bros.” (Thompson/Dornoch) Single Barrel Cask Strength Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)  $64.99 View

North British 33 Year Old “Redacted Bros.” (Thompson/Dornoch) Single Grain Scotch Whisky (700ml) $69.99 View

2014 Laphroaig 11 Year Old “Redacted Bros” Single Barrel Cask Strength Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) $74.99 View

Mystery Malt By Thompson Bro “US Exclusive” Series No. 4 Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) $89.99 View

These products ares estimated to be available for delivery or pickup by 05/31/2026.

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

Glen Scotia unveils bold new limited-edition whisky for Campbeltown Malts Festival 2026

Multi-award award winning Campbeltown distillery Glen Scotia has revealed its anticipated, limited-edition single malt in celebration of the renowned Campbeltown Malts Festival which draws whisky lovers from around the world to visit the region each May.

Glen Scotia’s annual festival bottlings have built a reputation for bold, intriguing flavours and the Campbeltown Malts Festival 2026 release continues this tradition. Aged for seven years, this medium-peated single malt was matured in first-fill bourbon barrels before being finished for six months in ruby port casks, creating a whisky that balances vibrancy, depth and an unmistakable coastal character.

The distinctive dual cask maturation has resulted in big flavours of ripe red fruit, gentle sweet peat and warming spice, carried on a rich, coastal undertone that reflects Glen Scotia’s maritime trade history.

Once known as the ‘Victorian whisky capital of the world’, Campbeltown is a place steeped in rich whisky heritage. Hailing from what is now Scotland’s smallest whisky-producing region, Glen Scotia’s small team preserves traditional methods, using small stills to create big Campbeltown flavours and making big waves at big international awards.

The Campbeltown Malts Festival is a flagship event in Glen Scotia’s calendar, welcoming thousands of visitors each year to experience the distillery’s big Campbeltown character and the warmth and generosity of the ‘Wee Toon’. The 2026 festival edition celebrates not only the whisky itself, but also the people who define the town’s resilient character.

Presented in a premium navy blue box, the Campbeltown Malts Festival 2026 Release also features a unique on-pack experience. By scanning a QR code on the box, whisky fans can step inside the distillery and meet members of the Glen Scotia team whose craft, passion and pride bring to life its big Campbeltown character.

Available to purchase online and in specialist retailers globally, Glen Scotia’s Campbeltown Malts Festival 2026 release is non-chill filtered, bottled at cask strength (53.9% ABV) and will retail for £59.

Ashley Smith, master blender at Glen Scotia, said: “This year’s Festival Release is a true celebration of Glen Scotia’s big Campbeltown character. It offers Glen Scotia’s distinctive maritime salinity, which is complemented with layers of gentle peat, and vibrant red fruit and warming spice brought by the ruby port cask finish. It’s a whisky that evolves on the palate and brings an element of surprise.

“The Campbeltown Malts Festival is always a special time for us, when the town comes alive with visitors from around the world. With this year’s on-pack experience, we’re giving people a glimpse inside the distillery in our remote corner of Scotland and the people whose passion shapes every drop.

“Campbeltown may be small, but it has a big personality and a proud heritage. This year’s festival bottling is our way of capturing that spirit in the glass for our community to enjoy.”

Glen Scotia’s Campbeltown Malts Festival 2026 events (19 and 20 May) will explore the distillery’s rich whisky-making heritage. A selection of ticketed and free events will delve into the town’s storied past, offering visitors the chance to explore and learn about some of Glen Scotia’s finest drams.

Guests at this year’s festival will get a taste of Glen Scotia’s character through a range of workshops including ‘Big Campbeltown Character’, which will explore the tropical fruit, coastal notes and oily texture of the new Glen Scotia 12 Year Old with Loch Lomond Group’s master blender Michael Henry.

A ‘Deconstructed Festival Release 2026’ tasting will see Glen Scotia brand ambassador Gary Mills reveal the craftsmanship behind this year’s limited-edition release, and ‘Port to Port’ will trace Campbeltown’s maritime past with Glen Scotia’s master blender Ashley Smith, showing how sherry, rum and wine casks continue to shape Glen Scotia’s style.

For further information on the Campbeltown Malts Festival 2026 release or this year’s festival, visit www.glenscotia.com/ .

Tasting notes:

Nose: Opens with sweet peat, ripe red cherry and creamy vanilla fudge.

Palette: Bursting with juicy mandarin before indulgent blackcurrant jam and layers of rich smoky embers.

Finish: Warming cinnamon and close spice, coastal salinity and lingering peat smoke.

About Glen Scotia

Distiller Glen Scotia has been producing single malt whisky in Campbeltown since 1832 and is one of three surviving distilleries in Campbeltown.

Producing peated and non-peated whiskies, the distillery still maintains much of its original design, including the stillroom and the dunnage warehouse dating from the 1830s. To this day, the distillery team follow in the footsteps of their founders, using traditional methods, carefully creating the subtly maritime Campbeltown style the brand has become world-famous for.

Recognition of Glen Scotia’s style and craftsmanship continues to be acknowledged globally.

• In 2021, Glen Scotia’s 25-Year-Old single malt was awarded ‘Best In Show Whisky’ at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Over 3,800 entries across thirty-one categories were judged with Glen Scotia being awarded the overall winner across all countries and styles. Only seven months later, Glen Scotia was also named Scottish Whisky Distillery of the Year at the Scottish Whisky Awards 2021.
• In 2022, Glen Scotia’s Victoriana won ‘Best In Class’ in the Distillers’ Single Malt Scotch – No Age Statement category at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
• In 2023, Glen Scotia won ‘Best Single Cask Single Malt’ at the World Whiskies Awards for a single cask bottling distilled in 2009 and aged for 13 years exclusively in a first-fill bourbon barrel.
• Later that same year, Glen Scotia’s 25-Year-Old won a coveted Platinum award at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2023, which is awarded to the very few entries that receive a Double Gold medal for three consecutive years at the prestigious global event.
• In 2024, Glen Scotia received a number of prestigious awards across its range of single malt whiskies, including Platinum titles at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2024 for both Glen Scotia Victoriana and Glen Scotia 25 Year Old.
• In 2025, Glen Scotia was awarded several notable industry awards across its core range whiskies including Glen Scotia Double Cask Rum being named the best Campbeltown non-age statement whisky, as well as winning platinum accolades for Glen Scotia 15 and 25 Year Old, and gold for Glen Scotia Victoriana at the San Fransico World Spirits Competition 2025.
• That same year, Glen Scotia 15 Year Old was also awarded gold at the International World Spirits Competition.

Independent Retailer Launches 50ml Dram Service to Help Drinkers “Test Drive” Whisky Before Buying

A small independent UK whisky retailer has launched a service designed to help whisky drinkers explore new bottles without committing to the cost of a full bottle purchase.

WhiskyGenie has introduced a curated range of 50ml whisky drams, allowing customers to sample whiskies at home before deciding whether to invest in a full bottle.

While many whisky samples are typically sold in 30ml measures, WhiskyGenie has chosen to offer larger 50ml “proper drams”, giving drinkers a more generous tasting experience.

The concept is aimed at whisky enthusiasts who want to explore different styles, cask finishes and distilleries without the financial risk that often comes with purchasing unfamiliar bottles.

Founder Garry Grimshaw, who has more than three decades of hospitality experience, says the idea came from seeing customers hesitate when faced with buying full bottles they had never tasted before.

“A lot of people want to try different whiskies but don’t want to risk spending £50–£100 on a bottle they might not enjoy,” he explained.

“The idea behind WhiskyGenie is simple — let people try a proper dram first and discover what they actually like.”

The online retailer offers a wide range of Scotch whisky drams, including expressions from well-known distilleries such as Ardbeg, Glenmorangie and Bruichladdich.

Orders also include a complimentary mystery dram, allowing customers to discover an additional whisky they may not have otherwise tried.

The service reflects a growing trend among whisky drinkers who are increasingly interested in exploring a wider range of expressions and cask styles without committing to full bottle purchases.

WhiskyGenie currently ships across the UK and internationally, with a focus on making whisky discovery accessible to both new drinkers and seasoned enthusiasts.

More information can be found at:

www.whiskygenie.com

Glendronach 15 Year Old “Sherry Cask Matured” Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) $99.99 View

The newly redesigned Glendronach 15 year marks the beginning of a new era at the Glendronach distillery. No longer is the 15 year a triumphant revival of a lost label, but now it’s the core malt in one of Scotland’s most well regarded distillers. It remains exclusively filled into Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks from Andalucía in Glendronach’s old dark dunnage warehouses located outside of the small eastern highland town of Huntley. Tasting notes from teh distiller, “Color: Antique copper with a golden hue. Aroma: An intoxicating burst of maraschino cherry, ripe bramble and dark chocolate mint with hints of orange bitters and walnut liqueur. Palate: Honey-glazed apricot and ripe fig with a crescendo of black cherry, angelica, and muscovado.”

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

The Society’s new Creators Collection, The New Wave: A taste of our next generation gems isn’t just about what Scotch whisky is, it’s about where it’s going.  We’ve brought together five of Scotland’s most exciting modern producers – each with its own sense of place and character to create the ultimate flight in New Wave whiskies.

What’s more, you can now pick up individual bottles from this collection. This is a real ‘you won’t find these anywhere else’ moment with limited quantities of each bottle available, so get them while you can.

BUY COLLECTION

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video