Maker’s Mark 2025 Cellar Aged Review
In-Depth Review
Throughout its history, Maker’s Mark was never known for being a distillery that liked change. They remained steadfast in their commitment to a singular expression for decades – saying that bourbon becomes great between 6-7 years old and doesn’t get better with more aging or higher proof. But ever since their first release of the Cellar Aged collection in 2023, it feels like Maker’s Mark has embraced a change an attitude around age.
For their 2025 release Cellar Aged, Maker’s has designed a blend that features bourbon aged up to 14 years – the oldest they’ve ever released. But bottled at 112.9 proof, this promises to be no delicate flower. After spending the majority of their time aging in typical Maker’s warehouses, these barrels then spend their final stages of maturation in a LEED‑certified, limestone cellar built into the natural terrain around Star Hill Farm. This slows down the aging process and allows the oak to work slower – adding flavor without over-oaking the final product. But at $175 a bottle, is it worth seeking out? This week I went to the Kentucky Bourbon Festival to find out.
Age: Combination of 74% of 11 Year, 10% of 13 Year, 16% of 14 Year
ABV: 56.45%
Cask: New American Oak
MSRP: $175
Distillery Name: Maker’s Mark Distillery
Review Date: 9/12/25
Color: Dark Copper
Nose: The nose immediately starts off deep and layered - bursting with citrus, brown sugar, baked bread, caramel apple, and vanilla buttercream. As it settles, more loose-leaf tobacco, toasted marshmallow and graham cracker appear and turn the nose into a fruity chocolate smore. This nose is absolutely fantastic – and provides a rich, complex start to the experience.
Palate: "Wow — this is silky," was the first thought that came to mind as I took my first sip. There’s plenty more of the toasted marshmallow and milk chocolate I found on the palate, now complimented by nutmeg, baked bread, and an extraordinary fudgsicle note that remains strong throughout. The softness of the wheat reduces the heat considerably, leaving a mature, balanced palate that continues the complex character started by the nose.
Finish: Long finish that brings back more citrus with orange peel and cardamon. It keeps the strong fudgesicle note from the palate and leaves lovely, sweet, toasted oak that lingers between sips.
Final Thoughts: Maker’s Mark has gone and done it again. For the third year in a row, their Cellar Aged release remains on of my favorite bottles of the year. This 2025 release of Cellar Aged builds on the success of the previous years and brings a more chocolatey character to the party – with lots of fudgecicle and smore notes throughout. And while that sounds like it’d be dessert in a glass, there’s still just enough of that savory baked bread quality that Maker’s is known for to keep it from going sickly. The 2024 version had a bit more vanilla cream, while this one’s addition of a zesty citrus brings nice balance to the palate and finish.
It’s tough to imagine that we’re in a world where $175 a bottle for a once-a-year limited release sounds reasonable – but here we are. I commend Maker’s for keeping the price sub $200 when other distilleries (cough,cough Four Roses) have blown past $200 and show no signs of stopping. If you have the chance to splurge on one bottle this limited release season and you can pick up this bottle anywhere near retail, do it. This 2025 Cellar Aged is one to savor.
