Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged Bourbon Whiskey: The Old Maker’s Mark Ever?

A sophisticated fusion of 11- and 12-year-old bourbons, Maker’s Mark tells BourbonBlog.com they are releasing the new Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged Bourbon, defined not just by its age, but by its unique maturation process.

This bourbon will be an annual, limited release, ensuring collectors and enthusiasts a chance to taste this evolution year after year.

Yes, even considering other international limited edition Maker’s Mark releases you might have heard about, our friends at Maker’s Mark in Loretto, Kentucky say that Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged is the oldest release ever.

Those in the U.S. can look forward to its release this September 2023 with a price tag of $150.00. For international aficionados, it’s set to hit the shelves in London, Munich, and select Global Travel Retail accounts in October 2023; and in Tokyo and Singapore in early 2024.

What is Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged Bourbon?

Maker’s Mark’s signature touch has always been aging its bourbon to taste rather than time. The creation of the Cellar Aged Bourbon is a masterclass in this philosophy. Initially, barrels of the distillery’s classic distillate spend approximately six years in traditional bourbon warehouses, enduring the climatic fluctuations of Kentucky. This is similar to the maturation of Maker’s Mark’s original releases.

However, the magic of the Cellar Aged Bourbon truly begins afterward.

Barrels are relocated to the distillery’s unique whisky cellar, constructed within the Kentucky hills’ natural limestone shelf. Here, the consistently cool environment drastically slows down the tannic impact that typically accompanies maturation. This allows the bourbon to evolve, revealing a deeper, more layered flavor without any bitterness — a departure from the more familiar profile of Maker’s Mark’s original offerings.

The Legacy: Defying Convention with Every Drop

From its beginning, Maker’s Mark was about pushing boundaries. The choice of founders Bill and Margie Samuels to utilize red winter wheat instead of rye birthed a smoother bourbon. Innovations like the wood-stave finishing technique in Maker’s Mark 46, and the industry-first Maker’s Mark Private Selection in 2016 cemented their reputation.

The Cellar Aged Bourbon, with its intricate maturation process, is another chapter in its story of pioneering excellence in the world of whisky.