For the first time since its founding Maker’s Mark Distillery in Loretto, Kentucky released something its customers had been requesting for years, a more mature Maker’s Mark. In 2023, for the first time in 70 years, the distillery answered those requests and released Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged. Now, they’ve followed that up with Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged 2024 that has been aged even longer. This year’s release comes with an entirely different flavor and higher proof.
Like the inaugural 2023 Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged, the 2024 is aged to taste, not time – now blending 12- and 13-year-old Maker’s Mark to unlock new and unexpected flavors.
“When we talk about Cellar Aged, it’s a little bit different,” said Maker’s Mark Senior Manager of Innovation and Blending Beth Buckner. “This building gives us a very unique aging experience. It lets us do things a little bit differently, it changes the maturation cycle, it brings us flavors we’ve never experienced with Maker’s Mark.
“What we were able to do with 2024 Cellar Aged is create this deeper richer, more flavorful note that was still true to Maker’s Mark. It’s easily palatable, it’s not bitter, it’s all those things while still giving you fortified fruit notes that we traditionally don’t get and all of this beautiful whisky.
“Maker’s Mark 2024 Cellar Aged is the oldest expression of Maker’s Mark ever. It is 15% 12-year-old and 85% 13-year-old. The proof is 119.3. We did not expect a proof increase so that’s something we’re still learning and understanding.
“The tasting notes this year, if you think about the tone of the whiskey 23 was very dark and 24 is bright. We’re getting bright citrus, we’re getting a coconut note that I have never experienced in Maker’s Mark before.”
The aroma is captivating, with notes of caramelized sugar, zesty citrus, and toasted almond. The palate unveils a delicate interplay of buttery shortbread, rich coconut, and bright spices. A lingering, mouth-coating finish showcases dried dark fruit and subtle oak undertones.
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“We surprised the world with the debut of Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged last year, a bold step in our family’s legacy because, 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 Managing Director, Maker’s Mark. “Staying true to our founders’ flavor vision and our relentless pursuit of excellence, we’re thrilled to introduce our most mature bourbon yet.”
“Delivering an elevated expression that’s distinctly Maker’s Mark, Cellar Aged finishes maturation in our LEED-certified cellar, built into the limestone shelf that surrounds us, creating a richer, deeper and more complex bourbon, free from the harsher tannic effects commonly found in older American whiskies,” said Dr. Blake Layfield, Head of Innovation and Blending, Maker’s Mark.
The limestone shelf that surrounds Star Hill Farm, homeplace to the Maker’s Mark Distillery, is key to crafting the unique taste of its bourbon – thanks to the innovative spirit of Margie and Bill Samuels, Sr., who in 1953, chose the land in Loretto, Kentucky because of its water source and natural watershed. Maker’s Mark still owns, protects, and enriches all 76 acres of its main lake’s watershed; and today, is the largest bourbon distillery in the world to achieve B Corp Certification and the first distillery to achieve Regenified Certification, a reflection of the brand’s dedication to regenerative agriculture practices that enhances the flavor of its bourbon.
How to Score an Early Bottle of Maker’s Mark 2024 Cellar Aged Bourbon Whisky
Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged 2024 will be available with a suggested retail price of USD $174.99. For the first time ever, Kentucky Bourbon Festival attendees will be able to purchase bottles beginning on Sept. 13 a few days before the national release date. Here are all the release date details.
- Kentucky Bourbon Festival — In the United States, in addition to select retailers nationwide, the limited-release Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged 2024 will be available for purchase at the 2024 Kentucky Bourbon Festival (Sept. 13-15) in Bardstown, Kentucky. A limited number will be available each day of the festival, sold on a first-come, first-served basis, limited to one per person, and a ticket is required to access the Maker’s Mark booth.
- Maker’s Mark Distillery — During the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, a limited number of Cellar Aged 2024 will be made available for purchase at the Maker’s Mark Distillery. Distillery gates will open promptly at 5 a.m. each morning of the release event. Guests 21 or older may show an ID to receive a ticket that will hold their place in line. At 9 a.m., ticketed guests will then proceed to the Visitor Center to begin the purchase process. Limit one ticket/bottle per person for the duration of the release event. All Cellar Aged 2024 bottles will be pre-dipped in Maker’s iconic red wax. Please note that overnight parking, camping or loitering outside the distillery entrance prior to gates opening is not permitted, nor is the public consumption of alcohol. Distillery facilities, including restrooms, will not be available until 9 a.m.
- Maker’s Mark Distillery Cellar Aged Experience — Following the Bourbon Festival, and beginning September 16th, Cellar Aged 2024 will be available at the Maker’s Mark by booking the Cellar Aged Experience.
Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged 2024 will be available in the United States beginning September 16; in the United Kingdom, Germany and select Global Travel Retail accounts in the coming weeks; and in Korea, Japan and Singapore in early 2025.
Related Story
For the 1st Time in 70 Years, Maker’s Mark Launches an 11- & 12-Year-Old Cask Strength ‘Cellar Aged’ Kentucky Bourbon – Aug 2023
Learn more about Maker’s Mark Distillery.
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