Maker's Mark Cellar Aged (2023 Release)

Wow. I hunted everywhere for a taste of Cellar Aged since its announcement, unwilling to pay the local bottle prices. Then, a global whiskey distributor offered bottles at a significant discount to my area's market value. While still very expensive, I succumbed. After all, I'm a devoted fan of Maker's Mark, having collected every edition of their former Wood Finishing Series. The aroma is divine. It evokes the first time I smelled RC6 and realized Maker's Mark offered more than Maker's 46. It's powerful from the proof yet wonderfully sweet. Imagine caramel syrup poured over Monkey Bread (remember that from childhood?). Maple syrup and vanilla bean dominate the sweet aroma, but wait... is that a hint of spice? Beyond the cinnamon from the Monkey Bread, a faint baking spice lingers behind the thick sweetness. That thickness continues to the palate. The immediate impression is how the bourbon coats the tongue with an oily texture. Delicious caramel syrup covers the cinnamon-sweet, sticky Monkey Bread from the nose. Dark cherries appear mid-palate, and as the taste fades, cinnamon spice joins the experience at the back. It might have lingered from the front to the back. As the finish develops, the spice persists, introducing drier notes like leather and charred oak. It's a prolonged finish emphasizing the sweet cinnamon heat that has been present from the aroma to the very end. Kudos to Maker's Mark for this release. Shame on the resellers charging four times MSRP. If you have the opportunity to sample this Bourbon, please do. You might believe you understand Maker's Mark, but this bottle will challenge that belief. An almost flawless bourbon.

The appearance is a clear, deep mahogany, reminiscent of Pantone 153. The rich scent offers notes of plums, a touch of raisin, chocolate-covered cherries, sweet crème brûlée, and toasted oak. I keep returning to it: there's a subtle, rich coffee undertone; hints of bananas Foster. The aromas are profound and potent yet not overwhelming, with barely perceptible alcohol. The palate lacks significant viscosity, presenting notes of toasted marshmallow and oak, with an alcohol warmth noticeable towards the end as it transitions to the finish, which is extended and features more toasted oak and vanilla. Maker's Mark is producing remarkable spirits. Starting with Maker's 46 a decade ago and continuing with their various wood-finished expressions, their Cellar Aged expression elevates the experience even further. Maker's is known for bottling based on taste rather than a specific age; this bourbon achieves both, as it's a blend of barrels aged 11 and 12 years. Maker's Cellar Aged is wonderfully warm and inviting. The warmth perceived in the aroma stems not from heat, but from a distinct smoothness and mellow character, akin to freshly baked spice cake. The intensity and sensory richness are what make this bourbon outstanding. The nose possesses a breadth and depth I've only encountered a few times before, comparable to a 2019 William Larue Weller. Would I purchase it again? Yes. However, I didn't buy this bottle myself—it was kindly shared by a friend. I've never managed to find it on my own, and I understand he located two bottles in two different states! This ranks among the finest bourbons I have ever tasted. 5.0 out of 5 stars. 115.7 proof. A combination of 11-12 year old barrels. Note: All spirits were tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

As this marked my final evening on vacation in South Carolina, I opted for a small indulgence. My initial intention was to have a pour of Old Fitz 10 year, but they had run out. The average rating for this caught my attention, so I decided to go for it! To put it simply, I have no regrets. Not only was this exceptional, but my wonderful server and manager were kind enough to offer me an additional pour on the house! I will definitely return to this establishment next year when I visit SC again. Excellent selection and cuisine. Reviewing the drink itself: The aroma was a remarkable blend of brown sugar, cherry, and baking spice. My initial sips were quite spicy, similar to cinnamon red hots candy. After allowing it to settle, I could discern a pleasingly complex range of flavors. An herbal note emerged first, accompanied by caramel apple. The underlying character had a cereal quality. Toward the finish, a delightful combination of leather and barrel char was present. Throughout, it possessed a pleasant oily texture/mouthfeel. This must be Maker's Mark's premium offering, as the standard was set very high with this release. I can only imagine the bottle's cost. If you have the opportunity to try a pour or purchase a bottle, I strongly recommend it. Truly solid.

The nose is full of creamy oak, not overpowering but just enough to be intoxicating. It is mixed with notes of ripe fruit, buttery vanilla and hints of leather and dried flowers. It does have the distinctive fruity notes of a wheated bourbon, but in a higher amount than you usually see. Everything is perfectly balanced and easy to get lost in. The palate is rich and smooth, with peppery spice hitting the corners of the mouth while vanilla and oak swirl all around the mouth. Chewing on it has you enjoying the fruity side to it while notes of mild baking spice keeps the mouth warm. Everything you picked up on the nose translates perfectly to the mouth. Some chocolate notes can be coaxed out of it as a welcome addition and overall, this delivers in every way you could imagine. The finish is medium long and very full, with vanilla and oak keeping you chewing, and just the right amount of spice to keep the mouth tingling just a bit. Everything else fades beautifully, this is a whiskey you really can't find anything wrong with. This is the brand's standard offering turned up to 11 and one of the absolute best wheated bourbons you can find.

I'm pleased to have had the chance to acquire this bottle. Eagerly opening it after two long and difficult workweeks. #TGIF Tasted neat. The aroma is sweet, fruity, and oaky, with notes of cinnamon, vanilla, cherries, caramel, spice, pears, brown sugar, and peaches. On the palate, it's initially hot and spicy, with flavors of red hots, maraschino cherries, caramel, a hint of wood, vanilla, toast, char, cashews, almonds, subtle cocoa fragments, apple, and vanilla cake. After a few more sips and a couple of thorough chews, it does become less intense and opens up, becoming less numbing. This stuff is delicious. I'll revisit this on my next pour and add three drops of water, followed by a small ice cube. Very curious to see how it continues to evolve!

A fantastic pour. Compared side-by-side with an unreleased 12-year warehouse sample, this one was mellower, showcasing abundant dark fruit, molasses, cinnamon, and oak. Nose: Caramel, Cherries Jubilee, Honey, Vanilla, Pecans, Brown Sugar, Figs, Maple Syrup, Dates, Blackberries, Raspberries, Bananas, Cinnamon, Marshmallows, Bubble Gum, Strawberries, White Chocolate, Peaches Palate: Caramel, Root Beer, Raisins, Cherry Cola, Treacle, Walnuts, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Molasses, Ginger, Tobacco, Honey, Graham Crackers, Blackberries, Stewed Red Apples, Nutella, Blood Oranges Finish: Caramel, Honey, Oak, Cinnamon, Chili Peppers, Toffee, Bubble Gum, Tobacco, Raisins, Toasted Oak, Raspberries, Morello Cherries, Nutella, Molasses