People have asked Maker’s Mark for years why they won’t release an extra-aged version of Maker’s Mark. The answer was always that it’s ready when it’s ready and age just tells you how long a whiskey has been in the barrel. Finally in 2023 Maker’s Mark released Cellar Aged, an age-stated Bourbon that was moved to the Maker’s Mark cellar to complete a longer aging cycle. This year’s release is a combination of 11, 12, and 14 year old Bourbon.

Dr. Blake Layfield, Director of Innovation and Blending at Maker’s Mark, recently hosted a Google Meet to talk about Cellar Aged 2026, but first we started with a Maker’s Mark Cask Strength tasting. Layfield likes to showcase this as the product really highlights the founders’ taste profile vision. It was bold, leathery, and fruity with notes of dark chocolate and dark red cherry.

Then we moved on to the Cellar Aged release. Layfield explains that the reason Maker’s Mark doesn’t typically age past 7-9 years is because after that in the Kentucky climate causes the barrel to take center stage in the flavor profile. By moving mature barrels into the cellar, Layfield says, he’s able to “turn down” the volume of the barrel and allow the whiskey to mature more gently.

The 2026 Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged Bourbn contains 49% 11 year old Maker’s Mark Bourbon, 33% 12 year, and 18% 14 year. The notes are more clove, brown sugar, plum, nutmeg, and more, skewing the flavors more toward dark, sweet, and spicy with a hint of cellar must. And everything is blending together nicely with no flavors dominating the others. It’s 112.1 proof.

“We want each vintage to have its own personality,” says Dr. Layfield.

Each batch is blended based on its own strengths rather than being a consistent product. Each barrel selected is selected based on its characteristics, not on age. It’s a really unique experience for Maker’s Mark fans to enjoy.

“We’ve learned more about what Maker’s Mark can become,” Dr. Lafield says. “We’re not chasing age.”

Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged will be available September 1, 2026 at select retailers throughout the United States at an MSRP of $175. Shortly thereafter it will be available in the UK Germany Korea Japan and other countries later. Ticketed guests at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival may be able to purchase starting September 10 both at the Maker’s Mark booth and at a special ticketed Maker’s Mark distillery event.