I've Tried Hundreds of Whiskeys. This New Bourbon Is a Cellar-Aged Treat

Maker’s Mark, the bottle with the distinct red-dipped melted wax cap, is known by bourbon drinkers across the globe. So, bourbon enthusiasts like me were excited to hear that Maker’s just dropped its oldest release ever: Maker's Mark Cellar Aged 2024.

Founded in 1953, Maker's Mark always adhered to the adage of aging its whiskey to taste as opposed to time. This means that for more than 50 years, Maker’s Mark distillers have strived to produce a consistent bourbon without a bite, which is always smooth, soft, and creamy.

The distillery, based in Loretto, KY, never bothered to age its whiskey for more than a decade. Not because Maker’s Mark didn't see the value in aged bottles, but because the brand hadn't discovered a way it liked to do it. 

That is, until 2023, when Maker's Mark decided to release its first-ever Cellar Aged Bourbon with a blend of 11-year-old and 12-year-old barrels. Despite the age statements, Maker’s Mark says the bottle stays true to its philosophy of delivering a richer, deeper, and more complex older bourbon, free from the harsher tannic effects commonly found in extra-aged American whiskeys. Maker’s Mark attributes its softer finish to the innovative maturation process, which starts in traditional Kentucky warehouses before moving to the distillery's one-of-a-kind limestone whiskey cellar to finish.

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The 2024 release of Cellar Aged might surpass last year's bottle. Maker's Mark blended a mix of 12-year-old and 13-year-old barrels to create an amazing bottle that oozes with a deeper, richer more complex flavor profile than Maker’s standard whiskey.

The whiskey has a golden amber hue in the glass and smells deeply of oak tannins, spice, and fresh-cut wheat. The taste is heated at 119.3 proof and has overtones of red hot candies, peppery spice, oaky dark nuts, and traces of vanilla. Despite the high proof, the finish is mellow and smooth, filled with hints of dark chocolate and fruits such as plum and dark cherry.

At my local whiskey bar, The Whisk(e)y in Fort Collins, CO, I tried the 2023 and 2024 Cellar Aged bourbons back-to-back. Given a blind taste test, I couldn't discern much difference, though both were delicious. However, I did notice that the higher proof on the 2024 (119.3 versus 115.7) adds a little more bite and complexity. Meanwhile, the 2023 bottle had pronounced Dr. Pepper notes on the nose and a soft, clean, and balanced finish.

Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged 2024 retails for $150—if you're lucky enough to find it on shelves. It's selling for more than that on the secondary markets. If you're unable to track it down, general manager of The Whisk(e)y Tavo Bernal—who enjoys mixing whiskeys—was able to create an “imitation” Cellar Aged 2024 using four parts Maker’s Mark Cask Strength to one part Old Forester. Use this recipe as a way to get a sense of what it tastes like.

Maker's Mark Cellar Aged 2024

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