Maker’s Mark 12 Year Cellar Aged, Brand’s Oldest Bourbon Release
Maker’s Mark is about to unleash their most mature creation yet. Get ready to taste history with Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged Bourbon – the first-ever age-stated product from the legendary distillery in Loretto, KY.
But this isn’t just any new bourbon release. Maker’s Mark is kicking off a whole new era with an annual release theme. Each year, they’ll be dropping a limited edition batch of their oldest bourbon to ensure for a highly anticipated drop!
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Now, let’s talk about the nitty-gritty details. Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged is a carefully crafted blend that’s been patiently aging in bourbon barrels just outside the “Bourbon Capital of the World.” As for a breakdown, 70% of the blend has been aged for 11 years, while the remaining 30% has been lovingly matured for 12 years.
So, if you’re a bourbon fanatic on the hunt for something truly special, mark your 2023 Bourbon Release Calendar for the unveiling of Maker’s Mark 12 Year Cellar Aged Bourbon. It’s time to raise your favorite bourbon tasting glass to the next chapter in Maker’s bourbon lineup.
Quick Notes – Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged
“For more than 65 years, aging our whisky for a decade-plus wasn’t something we did,” said Rob Samuels, 8th generation whisky maker and grandson of the founders at Maker’s Mark. “It’s not that we didn’t believe in it; we simply hadn’t found a way to do it that didn’t compromise on our taste vision – until now. Cellar Aged embodies an older whisky that’s distinctly Maker’s Mark. One rooted in challenging convention, delivering new flavor experiences from the environment that surrounds us, and building on a taste vision that’s been generations in the making.”
– Rob Samuels
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From its establishment in 1953, Maker’s Mark has prioritized the taste of its whisky over the passage of time. The goal was simple: create a bourbon that is incredibly smooth, velvety, and delightful, without any harshness. And Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged stays true to this philosophy. It brings you a bourbon that is not only older, but also richer, more profound, and filled with complexity. What sets it apart from other American whiskies or Kentucky bourbons for that matter is the innovative maturation process. They begin the journey in the traditional Kentucky warehouses, but they don’t stop there. The final touch takes place in a magnificent limestone whisky cellar, which is truly one-of-a-kind. And the result? A bourbon that is free from the harsh tannic effects commonly found in extra-aged American whiskies.
Review & Tasting Notes
Let us take you behind the scenes to the magical world of Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged. Here’s the scoop: those classic barrels of distillate start their journey with a six-year aging session in the black bourbon rickhouses across the Loretto countryside. They brave the Kentucky climate, with its crazy temperature swings, season after season until they become the renowned “Maker’s Mark.”
But wait, there’s more! After their time in tradition bourbon warehouses, these barrels move on to the distillery’s exclusive whisky cellar for an extra five to six years of aging. If you’ve been on a Maker’s Mark Distillery Tour, you’ve likely concluded your tour on this area. If not, you should totally put this on your stop along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
Picture this cellar, nestled into the limestone shelves of the majestic Kentucky hills, keeping things consistently cool. This chill environment slows down the tannic impact during maturation, allowing the bourbon to develop a richer, darker flavor. Minus the typical bitterness of course, otherwise known as over oaking.
This innovative and taste-led approach in pursuit of an older Maker’s Mark expression continues the boundary-pushing mindset that has shaped the brand since the beginning. Founders Bill and Margie Samuels challenged category norms when they burned their 170-year-old family recipe, choosing to use red winter wheat instead of rye in their mashbill for a softer, smoother bourbon. This spirit of asking “what if?” was present in the introduction of Maker’s Mark 46, which is crafted using a proprietary wood-stave finishing technique, and in Maker’s Mark Private Selection, which became the industry’s first custom barrel program upon its launch in 2016.
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Color
Bronze
Nose
Aroma: Dark stone fruit, caramelized sugar, toasted oak
Palate
Taste: Balanced with big oak, dark vanilla and fruit
Finish
Velvety texture, long and complex with caramelized barrel notes and baking spices
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Release Date & Availability
Mark your calendars because Maker’s Cellar Aged is making its highly anticipated debut in the United States in September 2023. But that’s not all – London, Munich, and select Global Travel Retail accounts will have their chance to sip this liquid gold in October 2023. And for our friends in Tokyo and Singapore, get ready to go bourbon hunting in early 2024.
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Proof & ABV
TheMaker’s Mark Cellar Aged bourbon release is bottled at cask strength at 115.7 proof. The115.7-proofing is the equivalent of 57.85% ABV. Therefore, expect some legs to form on the walls of your bourbon tumbler on this one!
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Mash Bill
Maker’s Mark bourbon is truly one-of-a-kind. Why? Well, it all starts with their mash bill. The recipe includes 70% corn, 16% soft red winter wheat, and 14% malted barley, and it is actually the brainchild of John Samuels’ baking experiment. He knewthere was something special about these specific ingredients, so he decided to mix them up and create the perfect bourbon. This mashbill is the secret to Maker’s Mark’s one-of-a-kind character.
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MSRP & Secondary Price
This Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged bourbon release is available in a 750ml bottle which resembles the bottle also used for the Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series. The Maker’s 12 Year bourbon has an MSRP of $150.
So, suggested retail pricing is officially set for $150. However, secondary prices forMaker’s Mark Cellar Aged has yet to be determined. Depending on the allocation, we may see secondary prices inflated. However, some prior Maker’s Mark limited releases have remained fair.
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