The Maker's Mark Private Selection Los Angeles Lakers 2020 Champions Edition is an extremely limited single barrel release crafted in January 2021 to commemorate the Lakers' 2020 NBA championship. Developed in collaboration with Lakers Nation, including team staff, Season Ticket Members, and seven time champion Robert Horry, this expression was distributed exclusively across Southern California retail accounts. The custom stave profile finishes Maker's Mark fully matured wheated bourbon with a 0-0-0-8-2 configuration: eight Roasted French Mendiant staves and two Toasted French Spice staves added to the barrel for nine additional weeks of maturation in Maker's limestone aging cellar. This combination delivers a richer, deeper expression than standard Maker's Mark with concentrated dark fruit, baking spice, and toasted oak character. Bottled February 2021 at 109.3 proof, hand dipped in signature red wax, and labeled with the official stave profile and dated tag. With production limited to a small allocation of barrels for the Southland market, this is a defining collector bottle for fans of Maker's Mark Private Selection and Lakers history alike.
ABV / Proof
| Brand |
Maker's Mark |
| Distillery |
Maker's Mark, Loretto, Kentucky |
| Type |
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky, Wheated |
| Mash Bill |
70% Corn, 16% Soft Red Winter Wheat, 14% Malted Barley |
| Series |
Private Selection, Wood Finishing Program |
| Stave Profile |
0-0-0-8-2 (8 Roasted French Mendiant, 2 Toasted French Spice) |
| Cask |
New Charred American Oak with 10 selected oak staves added |
| ABV |
54.65% |
| Proof |
109.3 |
| Bottle Size |
750ml |
| Country |
USA |
| Bottling Date |
February 2021 |
| Edition |
Los Angeles Lakers 2020 Champions Edition, regional Southern California release |
| Packaging |
Hand dipped red wax seal, custom commemorative label |
Tasting Notes
Color: Deep amber with rich copper highlights.
Nose: Roasted nuts, dark chocolate, dried cherry, toasted oak, and warm vanilla.
Palate: Rich and full bodied with layered caramel, baking spice, candied orange peel, and a deep oak driven sweetness from the Roasted French Mendiant influence.
Finish: Long and warming with lingering dark chocolate, clove, French oak spice, and a final flourish of vanilla.
FAQ
What does the stave profile 0-0-0-8-2 mean? Maker's Mark Private Selection uses ten oak staves added to a fully matured barrel to customize the finishing profile. This bottle uses zero Baked American Pure, zero Seared French Cuvée, zero Maker's Mark 46, eight Roasted French Mendiant, and two Toasted French Spice staves, resulting in a deep, dessert leaning, French oak forward expression.
How limited is this release? The 2020 Lakers Champions Edition was a regional Southern California release with only a small allocation of single barrels produced. Each barrel yields approximately 240 bottles, and the release sold through quickly through Southland accounts in 2021.
How does it compare to standard Maker's Mark Private Selection? Most Private Selection profiles aim for balance, but the 0-0-0-8-2 configuration leans heavily into the Roasted French Mendiant stave, which produces concentrated dark fruit, dark chocolate, and dessert spice character not typical of the broader Private Selection program.
Where can I buy the Maker's Mark Lakers 2020 Champions Edition online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
