The London Spirits Competition has unveiled its choice for the 2026 Straight Bourbon of the Year: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength. This distinguished whiskey achieved an impressive score of 96 points, earning a Double Gold Medal due to its quality, value, and packaging.

Introduced in 2014, Maker’s Mark Cask Strength features the distillery’s classic wheated mashbill and boasts a proof range of 107 to 114. Typically aged between seven and eight years, the bourbon offers a robust character that whiskey aficionados eagerly appreciate. Earlier this year, Maker’s Mark began featuring batch-specific age statements on its labels, providing consumers with valuable insights into each batch’s flavor profile.

Described as having a rich aroma with notes of baked apple, raisin, and honey, the palate is highlighted by toasted oak, vanilla caramel, and toasted nuts, culminating in a long finish of honey, pepper, and jammy fruit.

The competition awards Double Gold Medals to spirits scoring between 96 and 100 points, with significant emphasis placed on their assessment criteria: Quality, Value, and Packaging. In this case, the appealing price point of around $45 undoubtedly contributed to its high rating in the Value category. The recognizable red wax packaging and the new label design featuring detailed information further enhanced its appeal.

Not limited to just Cask Strength, other Maker’s Mark offerings also performed admirably at the competition, with Maker’s Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon and Maker’s Mark 46 French Oak Bourbon each achieving scores of 95 points and earning Gold Medals.

For those interested in tasting a little bit of history—and the 2026 Straight Bourbon of the Year—the Maker’s Mark Cask Strength is widely available across the United States.