It’s true!

It seems like all the good releases happen in September, particularly around the Kentucky Bourbon Festival. Maker’s Mark will make some of these bottles available for KBF-goers a few different ways. More about that below.

I had an opportunity to visit Maker’s Mark last week to try this release and I was able to try it side-by-side with last year’s Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged release. They are distinctly different, which is one of the really exciting things about these one-off whiskeys. Last year’s release was more dark fruit, dark chocolate, and baking spice, while this year’s release was more milk chocolate and bright citrus fruit.

It’s amazing how much the Maker’s Mark team is still learning about how the cave operates. It’s basically 45F year-round with pretty consistent humidity, but there can be significant fluctuations from tours going in and out, from bay doors being opened to roll out barrels, and even from heavy rainfall. This year’s Cellar Aged barrels went up higher in proof than anticipated, which is going to make for an interesting vertical comparison over the next decade.

Details from Maker’s Mark on how/where to find this bottle this week:

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 Maggie Kimberl