Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series SE4 x PR5 is a limited release Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey that showcases the distillery's innovative barrel finishing program. The expression begins with cask-strength Maker's Mark — made from a wheated mashbill of 70% corn, 16% wheat, and 14% barley — and finishes it with a carefully selected combination of two custom stave profiles sourced from Independent Stave Co.

The SE4 stave is crafted from virgin French oak, baked in a medium-heat convection oven and toasted for a shorter period to deliver heavy caramel influence. The PR5 stave is virgin American oak, baked at lower heat for a longer period with an extended toasting phase, adding depth and complexity. The final blend uses 13% SE4 aged six weeks, 32% SE4 aged five weeks, and 55% PR5 aged four weeks, with the finished barrels then rested in Maker's limestone cellars. The staves were seasoned outside for a full year — far longer than typical — to allow natural degradation that helps unlock vanilla and caramel notes.

The result is bottled at 110.8 proof (55.4% ABV) and delivers amplified notes of vanilla, warm baking spice, and creamy caramel on top of the classic wheated bourbon base. The nose opens with orange zest and milk chocolate, while the palate offers spicy dark chocolate, corn sweetness, red berries, and a rich, coating mouthfeel. The finish lingers with strawberry and fruity acidity.