Maker's Mark 46 Kentucky Bourbon Whisky, 70cl

Product Information

Full of vanilla, followed by sweet cherries and fresh red fruit. Cinnamon and toasted oak. A few drops of water brings butterscotch and warming nutmeg. Delicious and very easy drinking.

The coffee bean note hangs around from the palate and vanilla kind of rounds everything out. It still stays sweet enough to be a really satisfying experience overall. Score: 8/10 Color me impressed by how good the Cask Strength version of Maker’s 46 ended up being. I won’t say that I’m surprised though because secretly, I’ve always found Maker’s releases to be great. In 2010, they finally released a truly new product in the form of Maker’s 46. I won’t go to bat for this release being hugely innovative or anything, but it was a good start. It was also the most economical way they could have went about making a new product too.

I can say first-hand that Maker’s 46 is a unique product that really does present a different profile from standard Maker’s. The success of the 46 line inevitably led to the creation of the Private Selection line. But not Maker’s. They continued to drag their feet until it became obvious that they had to do something more to stay relevant. Maker’s reluctantly enters the cask strength market There’s a hint of Chai spice that I think deserves to be mentioned separately of the rest. Fruit notes are hard to find but probably would be exposed with some added water (or just buy a bottle of standard Maker’s 46). Nose: There is a particular smell that only French Oak can impart on a whiskey – and the nose on this Maker’s is full of it. Not familiar with what French Oak can smell like? It’s a deeper, more impactful and more dessert-like experience. With its distinct character and unique production process, this bourbon is a must-try for any bourbon connoisseur.

So is Cask Strength Maker’s 46 a bottle worthy of buying? Let’s find out. I sampled this neat in a glencairn. Tasting Notes I’m ashamed that I don’t give them their due but then bottles like this remind me how ashamed I should be. They’re a consistently reliable sip every time and I always forget about them. Jim Beam’s grain recipe of about three-quarters corn with the remaining grain split between rye and malted barley is considered a traditional bourbon mash bill. Which makes sense. After all, when you are the No. 1-selling brand of bourbon in the United States, it goes a long way in moving the needle on what’s considered ‘traditional.’ The use of corn gives the resulting bourbon its sweetness, while the rye adds a spicy character to the finished product. Sure. Maker’s Mark costs a little more. But remember — for the extra money, you do get a 90-proof bourbon with higher alcohol content and the opportunity to try a wheat bourbon. Not as dry as Maker’s and with lots of caramel and dessert notes mixed with wood that slowly fades with a long finish.

Maker’s 46 Review

Maker’s Mark has managed to release some equally great bourbons since that initial release, mostly in the form of their Wood Finishing Series which started in 2019 and ended in 2023. When Maker’s Mark RC6 came out it was a great reminder of just how important the company's wood stave finishing process plays in the final flavor profile. However, while interesting to enjoy as a fan of Maker’s Mark, it left a lot to be desired for consumers who were looking for big bold high proof wheated bourbons. This is a story of two brands that today fall under the same ownership umbrella. It gives us the perfect opportunity to look at the industry’s history — and enjoy a brief economics lesson.

Those barrels were then rolled into their giant limestone cave and left to rest for about 9 weeks. If you’ve been to their distillery, you’ve seen what I’m talking about – It looks like a mini-NORAD bunker on the side of a hill. Other Maker’s Mark expressions — including Maker’s 46 — use additional wood staves in finishing barrels to offer additional flavor notes. These staves are placed inside the barrel and run across the diameter of the cask. Toasted French oak staves give Maker’s 46 a unique finish. Other types of wood staves are used in the Private Select single barrel program, in which customers can create their own expressions using combinations of these staves for a one-of-a-kind barrel. Price Point & ValueThe Maker’s 46 is creamier and more decadent with bolder cherry and toasted oak notes, more spices with added complexity and an oilier mouthfeel. The complexity continues on the finish. A fantastic glass of bourbon. But I don’t miss them as much since there are a few more curious flavors like chocolate and coffee beans.