The other day, Rosemary and I had the honor to attend a tasting of the Maker’s Mark 2024 Cellar Aged Bourbon, attended by several Kentucky-based whiskey writers. It was a very good tasting organized by Doe Anderson, the marketing firm for Maker’s Mark.

We drove to the rurally located distillery where we gathered at the visitor’s center. We then walked down to the “cellar”, the man-made cave where they age the Maker’s 46 whiskey. It was a warm, but pleasant day and the group entered the cooperage where they add the staves to the emptied barrels for Maker’s 46. There we heard about how they take the recently emptied barrels of Maker’s Mark and break them down to add the staves for Maker’s 46 and the Private Select Single Barrels Maker’s Mark. There are five different staves that can be added for a Private Select barrel, but that is not why we were there. The Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged Bourbon is made of barrels of five to six year old Maker’s Mark that are moved into the cool atmosphere of the “cellar” to age for years. This is the second year of releasing this Bourbon and the whiskey barrels in this release were twelve and thirteen years old after sitting in the cave for about six or seven years.

We were ushered into the cave proper where we saw two tables with whiskey glasses waiting for us. The first table had the Cellar Aged Bourbon from 2023 and the second table had this year’s release. We were told to take a glass of each and to try them side-by-side. They are both excellent Bourbons. The first glass, the 2023, had a lot of rich caramel and chocolate notes, whereas the 2024 had a brighter, fruitier flavor of green apple and citrus. However, the cave being at a 48 degree temperature, I did not feel I got a good sense of the flavor from the cold whiskey. I will review the whiskey later when Matt and I can taste it together in a room temperature environment. 

Maker’s Mark is continuing these cellar aged Bourbons and we were told that they have several thirteen year and older barrels aging in the cellar. They were a bit surprised by the increase of the proof of this year’s whiskey. In general, barrels aged in the lower floors of the warehouse, where it is cooler, go down in proof, rather than increase in proof. We were told that the Cellar Aged Bourbon would be available on Monday, September 9 and that they would have it for sale at the distillery after that date. They will also be selling bottles at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival this year. 

We then left the cave and went to lunch at the distillery restaurant or I should say the tent that they had set up to serve as the restaurant. The creek that runs through the distillery flooded this year and the building where the restaurant is normally located was still in a clean-up with drywall being replaced. Once in the temporary restaurant, we were given a cocktail to start the meal. We were then served some breads, including bread made from the spent mash that was excellent. A squash soup then followed. After the soup came a meal that was more than a lunch – It was prime rib, two sections of grilled squash, a piece of grilled eggplant and mash potatoes. All of the food was excellent. Another cocktail was then served followed by a dessert of bread pudding with strawberries and cream.

We were then given a bottle of this year’s Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged Bourbon before we left the distillery. It was an excellent tasting experience. Maker’s Mark always does a good tasting for the Kentucky writers and I am happy we were part of this group. Look for our tasting notes later. This fine whiskey could end up being our Whiskey of the Month for September.

Details from Maker’s Mark about this release:

During the 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 our 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. 

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 at https://www.makersmark.com//distillery/visit-us.

Photos Courtesy of Maker’s Mark and Rosemary Miller