Maker’s Mark Reveals Exclusive Cellar Aged Bourbon: Tradition Meets Innovation

Maker’s Mark has introduced a special Cellar Aged Bourbon, leveraging its singular maturation capabilities on-site.

This whisky incorporates a mix of 11- and 12-year-old bourbons, yet its release spotlights the maturation technique and conditions rather than its age.

The bourbon’s aging journey commenced with six years in the brand’s traditional warehouses in Loretto, Kentucky. It then underwent an additional five-year maturation in the distillery’s exceptional limestone whisky cellar. This underground environment maintains a steady cool temperature, offering the bourbon protection from the dramatic temperature fluctuations seen in above-ground storage.

Rob Samuels, an eighth-generation distiller and descendant of Maker’s Mark founders, mentioned that the company had historically been hesitant about long-term aging since its inception in 1953. He stated, “ We weren’t against it; we just hadn’t found a method that aligned with our flavor goals – until now.”

He described the Cellar Aged Bourbon as an aged whisky that’s quintessentially Maker’s Mark, emphasizing its dedication to innovative flavor experiences and a generational vision of taste.

According to Maker’s Mark, the cellar’s cool environment facilitated a slower transfer of tannins from the barrel, resulting in a bourbon with a “richer, deeper” flavor profile and minimal bitterness.

This Cellar Aged Bourbon will be a recurring annual release. While the aging process remains consistent, the specific bourbon blend will vary. The debut batch consists of 87% 12-year-old bourbon and 13% 11-year-old bourbon, bottled at a potent 115.7 proof (57.85% ABV).

The bourbon will hit shelves in the US in September 2023, priced at $150. It will subsequently launch in London, Munich, and select global travel retail spots in October 2023, followed by Tokyo and Singapore in early 2024.