Maker's Mark Cask Strength Made for The Brave is a limited Memorial Day release created as a tribute to the men and women who serve and have served in the United States military. This is Batch 26-01, the 2026 edition. The bottle carries a custom neck tag from Maker's Mark and POVAT, Project One Vet @ A Time, and a portion of proceeds from the release supports military focused charitable organizations. The label design is unmistakable, with stylized patriotic profiles in red and blue running across the front. Inside is Maker's Mark at its boldest. The distillery's signature wheated mash of corn, soft red winter wheat and malted barley has defined the Maker's Mark style since 1958, using wheat in place of rye as the secondary grain to produce a softer, rounder sweetness. Bottled straight from the barrel without dilution or chill filtration, every element of that profile is amplified: the vanilla and caramel deepen, the wheat's natural sweetness grows richer, and the oak from the distillery's hand rotated rickhouses expresses fully. Batch 26-01 comes in at 55.25% ABV (110.5 proof). It pours a deep russet amber. The nose is intensely aromatic, with vanilla bean, toasted oak and rich caramel joined by salted caramel and dark fruit. The palate is full bodied and velvety, layering dark cherry, brown sugar, baking spice, cocoa and roasted nuts over a firm oak backbone, with the wheated softness keeping it approachable despite the strength. The finish is long and warming, sustained by vanilla, wheat sweetness and oak. Excellent neat or with a few drops of water, and outstanding over a large cube. It pairs beautifully with smoked brisket, pecan pie or dark chocolate, and its commemorative packaging makes it a meaningful gift for Memorial Day, Veterans Day or any military appreciation occasion.
ABV / Proof
| ABV |
55.25% |
| Proof |
110.5 |
| Size |
750ml |
| Country |
United States |
| Region |
Kentucky |
| Type |
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky, Wheated, Cask Strength |
| Edition |
Made for The Brave, Batch 26-01 (2026) |
| Cause Partner |
POVAT, Project One Vet @ A Time |
| Distillery |
Maker's Mark Distillery, Loretto, Kentucky |
| Mashbill |
Corn, soft red winter wheat and malted barley |
| Filtration |
Non chill filtered, undiluted |
Tasting Notes
Color: Deep russet amber.
Nose: Vanilla bean, toasted oak and rich caramel with salted caramel and dark fruit.
Palate: Full bodied and velvety, with dark cherry, brown sugar, baking spice, cocoa and roasted nuts over firm oak.
Finish: Long and warming, with vanilla, wheat sweetness and sustained oak.
FAQ
What is Made for The Brave?
It is a limited Memorial Day release from Maker's Mark honoring US military service members and veterans, with a portion of proceeds going to military focused charitable organizations.
What is POVAT?
Project One Vet @ A Time, the veteran focused organization featured on the bottle's custom neck tag.
What proof is Batch 26-01?
It is bottled at 55.25% ABV, which is 110.5 proof. Cask strength releases vary in proof from batch to batch.
How is Cask Strength different from standard Maker's Mark?
It is bottled straight from the barrel without dilution, so the caramel, vanilla and oak notes come through with considerably more intensity than the 90 proof standard bottling.
What makes Maker's Mark a wheated bourbon?
It uses soft red winter wheat rather than rye as the secondary grain, producing a softer, rounder profile.
Where can I buy Maker's Mark Made for The Brave online?
Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
