It feels like forever ago that I was on Distiller writing up reviews and tasting notes. Unfortunately, almost the entirety of 2025 so far has been dumpster fire after dumpster fire and finally, I'm getting a quiet Friday night to put out said dumpster fires with some great bourbon. That said, I certainly haven't stopped purchasing. And I currently have about six bottles I've yet to write reviews for. Its high time I got caught up... A new Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series is always a joyous occasion for me. Even my least favorite of the first run were still pretty darn good and the best of them were indeed some of the best bourbons that could be had in the price point. This second run of WFS started with the Heart Release which was surprisingly obtainable and unsurprisingly delicious. I actually ended up buying three bottles within its run and my local Total Wine still has it on the shelf at RRP. I love that this second run of WFS seems to have significantly wider spread availability than the first run. The nose on Keeper's release is deep, sweet and full of character. Brown sugar, dark and overripe cherry, dark cocoa powder, cinnamon and slightly burned kettle corn create a tannic and slightly sweet nose. The first thing that comes to mind on the drink is berries and dark cocoa. The proof lends a slightly viscous mouthfeel. Some tongue tingly cinnamon and peppercorn really spice up the taste, especially mid to back. That spice gives way to some tannic charred oak which leads into the finish. The finish is dry and spicy. Charred oak, spicy cinnamon and dark cocoa powder. This is definitely a departure from the standard Maker's Mark sweetness. It is spicy, features a darker flavor profile and complex. It serves up decently high proof without ethanol burn. Given the availability of this bottle, I'd say it is well worth a try. But I personally prefer the Heart Release of the two.