Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged Limited Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky 2023

Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged 2023 is a landmark release for one of Kentucky’s most recognizable bourbon distilleries. For decades, Maker’s Mark focused on 6-year-old bourbon, believing older stock tended to become overly tannic and bitter. The creation of a dedicated limestone whisky cellar at a steady cool temperature gave them a new way to extend maturation without sacrificing the soft, wheated character they’re known for, and Cellar Aged is the result. 

This 2023 limited edition starts life as classic Maker’s Mark: a wheated mash bill of 70% corn, 16% soft red winter wheat, and 14% malted barley, distilled and aged in traditional rickhouses for about six years. At that point, barrels that already meet the house standard are moved underground into the limestone cellar, where they sit for an additional five to six years. The cooler, more stable environment slows interaction with the wood, building depth, sweetness, and complexity while holding back harsh oak and bitterness. 

For the inaugural Cellar Aged release, Maker’s blended 87% 12-year-old bourbon with 13% 11-year-old bourbon, then bottled the result at cask strength around 115.7 proof (57.85% ABV), non-chill filtered. That combination gives a dense, oily mouthfeel and lets the flavors show at full intensity.

In the glass, Cellar Aged 2023 is rich and dark, with aromas of brown sugar, maple, dark stone fruit, toasted oak, and vanilla. The palate follows through with layers of caramel, cocoa, dark cherries, baking spice, and well-integrated oak, supported by the familiar soft sweetness of wheat in the mash. The finish is long, warm, and assertive, with lingering cinnamon, oak, and caramelized sugars that invite slow sipping. 

This is not an everyday mixing bourbon. Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged 2023 is aimed at enthusiasts and collectors who want to taste an ultra-aged, high-proof take on the classic Maker’s profile. Enjoy it neat, with a few drops of water, or over a single large cube to open up the layers over time. With limited barrels, global allocation, and strong critical reception, it’s a bottle that will appeal as much to serious bourbon drinkers as to long-time Maker’s fans looking for the pinnacle of the style.