Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged Review

Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged Review

A little background

The 2023 Cellar Aged release from Maker’s Mark blends 11- and 12-year-old bourbons bottled at cask strength, but the focus is on the unique aging process. According to Maker’s Mark, “Aging our whisky for over 10 years wasn’t something we ever did. Not because we didn’t believe in it but because we hadn’t found our way of doing it.” Initially aged in traditional warehouses, the bourbon spends additional years in a LEED-certified, temperature-controlled limestone cellar, where it develops deeper, richer, and more complex flavors.

Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged is bottled at 115.7 Proof and carries a retail price of around $200 USD.

(Tasted neat from a Glencairn Glass)

Color

Amber

Nose

Burnt caramel, apricot, dark cherries, toasted marshmallows, vanilla, and dry oak.

Palate

Dark Cherries, caramel, cherry, fig, brown sugar, cinnamon, toasted marshmallow, bitter chocolate, espresso, and tannic oak.

Finish

Mint, cinnamon, apricots, toasted caramel, vanilla, cherries, mellow orange, and woody oak.

In closing

In conclusion, Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged Bourbon offers a complex and rich tasting experience. The nose brings forward notes of burnt caramel, apricot, dark cherries, and toasted marshmallows, while the palate is dominated by flavors of dark cherries, caramel, and fig, complemented by brown sugar and bitter chocolate. The finish is long and layered with mint, cinnamon, apricots, and woody oak, leaving a lasting impression of raisin bran and a robust oak character. Despite its bold oak presence, the bourbon maintains a smooth and darkly rich flavor profile without astringency, making it a standout selection for bourbon enthusiasts.

Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged Review

115.7 Proof
Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged Review
9.1

Nose

 9.0/10

Palate

 9.2/10

Finish

 9.1/10

Complexity

 9.1/10

Value

 9.0/10

The Good

  • Dark Rich Flavors
  • Complexity

The Bad

  • Availability
Official Site

Related Posts:

Matthew Evans

Matthew is the founder/owner of Whiskey Consensus and lead whiskey geek for the brand. He likes his whiskey served neat at cask strength and always jumps at the chance to learn something new.

Leave a Reply