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A Galway street corner, a chance hello to Adam Duritz, and a sunglasses-off moment with Courtney Cox set the scene before we pour something special: Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged 2025. We start with the nostalgia and then zero in on why this release feels different—same mash bill, new dimension—thanks to a cool limestone cellar that slows the dance between spirit and wood.

We break down what matters for your glass. The blend leans 74% 11-year with 13- and 14-year components at 112.9 proof, and the profile announces itself on the nose with brown sugar, cinnamon, toasted oak, and that apple-pie cozy note. On the palate, it turns decadent but never cloying: orange and cherry like an old fashioned, chocolate and toasted almond like a pastry, and enough spice to remind you it’s nearly 113 proof. The fruit shows up earlier than you’d expect from a wheated bourbon, while leather and tobacco stay in the background. If you’ve only known standard Maker’s as sweet and light, this one bends the arc toward depth and balance.

We also talk price, timing, and how to find a pour without burning your budget. MSRP lands at $175, with some secondary lift, so we tested by the ounce first—a move we recommend. Bigger retailers and smart whiskey bars will be your best bet, and if you spot it near retail, we’d grab it. Our ratings land strong, and we call it a top contender for year-end lists, especially for drinkers who want a dessert-ready sipper that doesn’t need ice or a mixer to shine.

If this kind of fruit-forward, cellar-shaped wheated bourbon sounds like your lane, come taste it with us, compare notes, and tell us what you’re getting in the finish. Subscribe for more pours, share with a friend who underestimates Maker’s, and leave a quick review so others can find the show. What bottle should we chase next?