Limited Edition

Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged 2024 Review

I remember receiving a sample of the first release of Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged last fall, and I absolutely loved it. It was the oldest expression released by the distillery. Fast forward to the beginning of September 2024. Maker’s agency on record reached out with an enticing offer – the chance to join a press trip to the distillery to celebrate the 2024 release of their premium Cellar Aged whisky. I was so pumped to go, going as far as tasting through all of the distillery’s releases I have at the house to refamiliarize myself with different takes on their flavor profile before I was to fly out.

Then Mother Nature decided to intervene. Hurricane Francine was set to strike the New Orleans metro area the day I was supposed to fly out to Kentucky. Hence, the trip didn’t happen. This isn’t a woe is me situation. After the storm, I was a part of our work’s Storm Response Team, providing fresh hot pizzas straight out of our pizza oven to first responders and those in need. As much fun as the Maker’s trip would have been, the couple of days of giving back to the community after a disaster proved to be much more fulfilling.

So, after a few days, the agency was gracious enough to send over a sample for my review. And with that, here we are, with my first full review in ten months.

Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged 2024 is a blend of 15% Maker’s Mark 12-year-old and 85% Maker’s Mark 13-year-old, at 59.7% ABV or 119.3 Proof. The standard Maker’s has no age statement, though it’s rumored to be between 6-8 years old.

“Delivering an elevated expression that’s distinctly Maker’s Mark, Cellar Aged finishes maturation in our LEED-certified cellar, built into the limestone shelf that surrounds us, creating a richer, deeper and more complex bourbon, free from the harsher tannic effects commonly found in older American whiskies,” said Dr. Blake Layfield, Head of Innovation and Blending, Maker’s Mark.

In other words, fully aged barrels of Maker’s are then brought into their cool cellar, which slows down the aging process. This allows the release of 12- and 13-year old bourbon without an overpowering oak profile or it being overly tannic.

Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged 2024 starts off with slightly burnt sugar, buttered pecans, and a touch of lemon zest on the nose. There’s feint oak there, but you really have to concentrate to find it. The palate is quintessential Maker’s DNA with added depth, featuring vanilla macaron, some dark fruits, and some baking spices. It doesn’t drink like its high proof. No water required. The finish is warm, with just the slightest hint of oak.

This is a polished, approachable, more complex version of Maker’s Mark. The baking spices and oak don’t feel added on like some of their Private Select picks, but instead come across as beautifully integrated. This is an easy recommendation for the suggested retail price of $174.99.

Thanks to Maker’s Mark for the sample. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review: Four Roses 135th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon

As the weather starts to cool, distilleries gear up for some of their most anticipated releases of the year. Four Roses has just put out their latest expression celebrating their 135th anniversary: 135th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch.

This year’s highly awaited release comes in at 112 proof, or 56% abv. Master Distiller Brent Elliott blended four of their 10 unique bourbon recipes to craft this expression:

  • 12-year-old OESV
  • 14-year-old OESK
  • 16-year-old OESV
  • 25-year-old OBSV

“In crafting this blend, I wanted to create an elegant bourbon worthy of the brand’s heritage. Each of the 12-, 14-, and 16-year-old batches possess individual characteristics that complement each other perfectly. Once the ideal balance of these three batches was achieved, I looked at several other batches of various ages and recipes to add an extra layer of nuance to the blend. Ultimately, I selected the 25-year-old OBSV, which melds perfectly with the other batches and adds additional complexity and depth.”

-Brent Elliott

So… how does it fare?

On the nose, fresh aromatic herbs mingle with slightly burnt caramel, vanilla, and oak spice. The palate offers an immediate blend of minerals, spice, and caramel sweetness, with the latter not overly saccharine. Hints of oak and stone fruit show up in the mid-palate, adding more spice and complexity. There’s slight astringency here, but again, Elliott’s skillful hand keeps things in balance. The finish…. wow. The sweet, oak, and spice continue but a slight earthiness is introduced. After it’s long gone, a touch of minty freshness is left.

I’ve had the pleasure of sampling some of these limited edition small batch releases through the years, and I can easily say this 135th Anniversary release is the best in a decade. It’s complex throughout, but the balance of flavors make this bourbon easily approachable.

Four Roses is only releasing just over 15,000 bottles priced at $199. If you’re one of the lucky 15,000 people to score a bottle (especially at retail pricing), treasure this release. Highly recommended.

Thanks to Four Roses for the review sample. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review: Copper & Kings “A Song For You” American Brandy

Five years ago two things came into existence. One is the often-rambling, somewhat meandering whiskey blog you’re currently reading. The second, and much more important, is a small brandy distillery that had the balls to open in the heart of bourbon country, Copper & Kings.

To celebrate this anniversary, the distillery released ‘A Song For You,’ a limited edition American brandy finished in ex-bourbon barrels.

“This is a celebration of survival as much as anything,” said Joe Heron, Copper & Kings founder. The limited edition release is a “thank you to anyone who ever bought a bottle of Copper & Kings American brandy.”

Bottled at 100 proof, ‘A Song For You’ features a blend of eaux de vie aged 8 to 18 years. This blend is the part of the originally sourced stock that kicked off the distillery’s offerings five years ago, made mostly from Muscat de Alexandrie, Chenin Blanc, and French Colombard. It’s been resting in ex-bourbon barrels for the past half decade. Brandy by way of bourbon, indeed.

I’ve got to say, this brandy is fantastic. Aromatic on the nose, it features hints of spiced cherries, slightly burnt caramel, spice, and floral top notes. Taste-wise, the fruity grapes hit the palate first, but are quickly followed by a wave of dark berries, dried figs, and spice. Bittersweet cocoa leads to a long, fruity, and somewhat dry finish.

‘A Song For You’ feels like a Copper & Kings release. It’s big, bold, rich, and flavorful. It’s pleasing to casually sip with friends and yet complex enough to be studied in a Glencairn glass or brandy snifter. This release hints at what the distillery can do as its stocks further mature, and that’s a road I’d like to travel. Highly recommended. 8.5/10

Copperandkings.com

Thanks to Copper & Kings for the sample. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.