Kelsey Plum’s ‘Yam Jam’ Is the Best Celebrity Bourbon of 2026 So Far

(Photos: Maker’s Mark)

Celebrity spirit collaborations have a bad reputation, and for the most part, it’s earned. Too often, a famous face slaps their name on a middling product and calls it a day. So when Maker’s Mark announced its limited-edition Private Selection bourbon with Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum last month, you’d be forgiven for tempering expectations.

But we tasted Plum’s Maker’s Mark release and are happy to report that it’s not bad, nor average — it’s excellent.

“Yam Jam by Kelsey Plum,” released May 7 at select Los Angeles retailers, is the real deal. Bottled at 111.3 proof (55.65% ABV), it delivers a quality pour.

What separates this release from the celebrity-spirits pack begins with the process. Plum traveled to Star Hill Farm in Kentucky and worked through Maker’s Mark’s Private Selection program, choosing 11 finishing staves to shape the final expression. It’s the same customization program that Maker’s Mark offers its most serious trade and collector partners, and the quality suggests Plum took the selection process seriously.

The stave selection she landed on — a combination of Baked American Pure 2, Seared French Cuvée, Maker’s Mark 46, Roasted French Mendiant, and Toasted French Spice — resulted in a truly delicious bourbon that we can’t get enough of.

How It Tastes

The nose opens with an inviting wave of cocoa powder, cinnamon and vanilla bean — warm, rich and memorable. On the palate, the bourbon has a thick, luxurious viscosity, with big vanilla and caramel at the center surrounded by lighter notes of oak, orange peel, raisins and tiramisu. On the finish, buttercream frosting and oak give way to banana bread, cherries, espresso and cinnamon in a long, satisfying conclusion.

It’s one of those bourbons that goes down easy despite the high proof — one you’d like to sip on all night, but know you’d pay for that decision the next morning, so you muster up the willpower to replace the red wax-dipped cork in the bottle. It may not be the most complex whiskey in the world, but it didn’t leave us wanting anything more; sometimes, it’s nice to just relax with a well-proofed, simple but delicious glass of bourbon.

To find our full tasting notes and to see what score we gave it, click here for our full review.

Bourbon for a Cause

Maker’s Mark also donated the first barrel — yielding about 275 bottles — to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation for charitable auctions and events. In light of the LA fires earlier this year, it’s a worthwhile cause that especially makes sense given Plum’s location and position n th

Should You Buy It?

If you’re in the Los Angeles area and can find it, yes — without hesitation. “Yam Jam” is available now at select LA retailers. If you’re a fan of Plum or the Sparks, this is a no-brainer, but even if you just like bourbon, this is worth picking up.

More broadly, this is a reminder of what Maker’s Mark’s finishing stave program can do in the right hands. It also sets a high bar for what a celebrity bourbon collaboration should look like. Here’s hoping others have a similar interest in quality rather than just making a quick buck.