A New Era for Maker’s Mark
Maker’s Mark, a bourbon brand known for its high-quality whiskey and understated approach, is making waves with a new release. Fans of the brand have long awaited an older, age-stated expression, and that wait is over with the arrival of Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged. We recently had the chance to preview this exciting new bourbon and learn more about its development.
Behind the Scenes: Crafting the Cellar Aged Bourbon
During a visit to the Maker’s Mark distillery, we explored the creation of Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged. Traditionally, Maker’s Mark bourbon is aged for six to seven years, with each barrel meticulously rotated by hand to ensure consistent flavor. Despite this careful aging process, the brand’s innovation manager, Beth Buckner, explained that extending aging further didn’t align with Maker’s “taste vision.” Buckner emphasized, “Our goal is always ‘yummy,’ which means a flavor profile that’s free from bitterness. While we listen to consumer requests for older expressions, our innovation is guided by our core values rather than fleeting trends.”
The Limestone Maturation Cellar: A Revolutionary Approach
The game changed for Maker’s Mark with the introduction of their proprietary limestone maturation cellar in 2016. This cellar, maintained at a constant 50 degrees or colder, mimics the aging conditions of Scotland rather than Kentucky. Buckner posed an intriguing question: “What if we could move fully mature Maker’s Mark from the rickhouses into this cooler environment?” This approach slows the tannic extraction from the barrel while allowing the whiskey to continue aging and developing complex flavor notes.
The Creation of Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged
To bring this vision to life, Maker’s Mark moved six-year-old bourbon into the cellar for an additional five to six years of aging. The final blend of Cellar Aged consists of 13% 11-year-old bourbon and 87% 12-year-old bourbon, bottled at a cask strength of 115.7 proof (correcting the earlier erroneous TTB label of 90 proof). According to Blake Layfield, Senior Director and Head of Innovation, the team sampled about 100 different blends before selecting the final recipe.
Tasting Notes: A Flavorful Journey
Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged delivers a complex and delightful experience. It opens with a robust honey aroma and maintains its recognizable Maker’s Mark character on the palate. Expect deep, tannic notes with a rich array of flavors, including dried fruit, fresh dark berries, caramel, citrus, cinnamon, and other baking spices, finishing with a hint of menthol. Comparing it to a 12-year-old Maker’s bourbon aged entirely in rickhouses reveals a drier, oakier profile, highlighting the distinctiveness of the Cellar Aged release.
Get Your Bottle of Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged
Don’t miss out on this exceptional release. You can purchase Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged now at Whiskey Bourbon Club.