I lastly got my hands on a bottle of the makers mark cellar aged 2023 , and honestly, it's not really exactly what I actually expected from the particular folks over in Loretto. For decades, Maker's Mark continues to be the king of regularity, sticking to that will familiar red wax and a taste profile that hardly ever colors outside the lines. They've always told us that will bourbon doesn't require to be ancient to be good, generally pulling their barrels round the six or even seven-year mark. But this release? This particular is a whole different pet, and it's producing a lot of us rethink what a wheated bourbon can do after some extra time in the dark.
If you've already been following the bourbon scene lately, a person know that "age statements" would be the sparkly objects most people are chasing. But Maker's offers always been the bit stubborn about it. They've asserted that Kentucky summers are too challenging for long-term ageing, claiming that right after a decade, the particular wood just takes over and ruins the juice. The particular makers mark cellar aged 2023 is their response to that problem, and it's a pretty clever one when you ask me personally.
The Secret is within the Limestone
So, how do they manage to age group this stuff regarding 11 and 12 years without it turning into a bottle of liquid toothpicks? They didn't just leave it in a standard rickhouse to bake. Rather, they moved these barrels into their own proprietary limestone cellar. If you've ever toured the distillery, you've probably noticed this place—it's literally carved into the side of a mountain. It stays an awesome 50 degrees 365 days a year, which slows lower the interaction between the whiskey plus the wood.
By moving the barrels into the particular cellar after about six years associated with traditional aging, these people allowed the bourbon to mellow out there and develop these deep, rich tastes without picking up those harsh, bitter tannins that usually come with "extra-aged" spirits. It's like slow-cooking the brisket instead of tossing it upon a high-heat barbeque grill. You get all of the depth, but nothing of the burnt sides. When I first learned about the makers mark cellar aged 2023 , I had been skeptical that the cellar would make that will much of the difference, but you can really taste the patience within the glass.
Cracking the Wax: First Impressions
When you pour a cup of the makers mark cellar aged 2023 , the first thing you discover is the colour. It's significantly darker than your standard Maker's—more like the deep mahogany or even burnt amber. It looks heavy in the glass, along with legs that stick to the sides like syrup.
On the particular nose, it hits you using an influx of dark rock fruits. I'm speaking black cherries plus plums, then the really heavy hit of toasted walnut and vanilla bean. It doesn't have got that sharp ethanol burn you might expect from some thing bottled at 115. 7 proof. Rather, it smells "expensive, " if that makes any sense. It's got that will old-school library buckskin scent combined with caramelized sugar that always only shows up in much older, much pricier bottles.
The Palate as well as the Finish
The first sip is exactly where things get interesting. Most wheated bourbons are known for being smooth and sweet, but the makers mark cellar aged 2023 has an unexpected amount of muscle tissue. It starts using a thick, creamy mouthfeel—almost buttery. You obtain the classic Maker's caramel and baby, however it rotates into something much more complex. There's a spice generally there, but it's not a rye piquancy; it's more such as baking spices, cloves, and a bit of dark chocolate.
The finish is where this bottle really earns the keep. It lingers for a lengthy time, warming your chest without scorching your throat. It leaves you with a taste associated with dried tobacco and a hint of citrus peel. I discovered myself sitting right now there for five moments just enjoying the particular aftertaste before also thinking about getting another sip. It's a "slow lower and think regarding it" kind associated with bourbon, which isn't something I usually state about Maker's Mark.
Is it Better Than Maker's fouthy-six?
A lot of people are going to ask if this particular is really a fancy version of Maker's fouthy-six or their Private Selection series. To be fair, these are great bottles, and they use French Oak staves to add complexity. Yet the makers mark cellar aged 2023 does some thing fundamentally different. While those other movement use wood "finishing" to change the particular flavor, this release relies on real time and temperatures control.
This feels more "complete" than the finished versions. Don't get me wrong, I love the good wood-finished wheater, but sometimes those staves can feel a bit such as an additive. This cellar-aged expression feels such as the natural progression of the distillate. It's exactly the same DNA, simply grown up and very much more sophisticated. In case Maker's Mark Cask Strength is the loud, fun celebration, the Cellar Aged is really a quiet discussion with a fireplace.
The Hunt plus the Price Tag
Now, let's speak about the hippo in the space: finding a bottle. Given that the makers mark cellar aged 2023 is a limited annual release, it's become a slight trophy for collectors. The particular MSRP is around $150, which is the big jump for a brand that usually hangs out there in the $30 to $60 range. However, if you see it at that price, I'd tell you in order to grab it without a second thought.
The problem is the secondary market. I've seen individuals trying to change these for dual or triple the particular retail price. Will be it worth $400? Probably not, although, what bourbon will be? But if you're a fan of the brand or just a lover of well-aged wheated bourbon, this is easily one of the best things they've ever put in a bottle. It's a legitimate competitor to some of the heavy hitters like Pappy or William Larue Weller, even if the "bourbon purists" might be slow to admit this.
Final Thoughts around the 2023 Release
Looking back again at the year within whiskey, the makers mark cellar aged 2023 certainly stands apart as one particular of the highlights. It's a striking move for a distillery which could possess easily just kept doing what they've been doing regarding seventy years. It shows that they're listening to the particular fans who have been begging intended for an age statement, but they're doing the work on their personal terms and in a way that really protects the quality of the nature.
If you're lucky enough to have a container on your shelf, don't just let it sit presently there looking pretty. This particular isn't a "display only" type of whiskey. It's meant to be contributed with friends who actually care regarding what's in their glass. It's a conversation starter, a palate teaser, plus a damn great drink.
Whether this becomes a permanent fixture in their lineup or continues to be a rare annual treat, Maker's has proven that they will can play within the big leagues associated with ultra-premium bourbon. I'm already looking forward to seeing exactly how the 2024 group compares, but intended for now, the makers mark cellar aged 2023 is usually the bottle in order to beat. If you can find it, pour a neat glass, give it a few a few minutes to breathe, and just enjoy the ride. It's worthy of every drop.