Maker's Mark 46 Kentucky Bourbon Whisky, 70cl

Product Information

Not as dry as Maker’s and with lots of caramel and dessert notes mixed with wood that slowly fades with a long finish. Also Read: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Bourbon Review and Tasting Notes for the Maker’s Mark 46 Bourbon In 1932, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt won election, thanks in part to his promise of ending Prohibition. The potential jobs that were to be created by a resurgent beverage industry became a persuasive argument for voters who had grown tired of the Great Depression.

Rich and sweet with heaps of plump maraschino cherries, oak, vanilla and caramel. There are hints of honey and buttery cinnamon toast. Maker’s Mark though, cought my eye again at the age of 25, its Red Wax seal, its intriguing bottle design. Maker’s took a while to arrive at the conclusion that they should release a cask-strength version of Maker’s 46. They finally did in 2015, but it was a distillery-only release. In a true demonstration at how much they hated change, they held off on true nationwide distribution for this product until at least 2020. The most significant differences between these two brands are their flavoring grains. So we’ll focus on the use of traditional spicy rye grain versus soft, red winter wheat.

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. It is an excellent introduction to bourbon for someone who wants to explore it American bourbon more broadly. Maker’s 46 Bourbon But I don’t miss them as much since there are a few more curious flavors like chocolate and coffee beans. The nose is rich with standard Maker’s notes like vanilla, caramel, and oak, but with a faint hint of dark chocolate. Although they are from different pricing segments, there is a lot to be learned by pouring a couple fingers of bourbon and putting them side-by-side for a blind taste comparison: Original recipe vs. wheat bourbon being foremost.

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.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 & Value After your bourbon distiller has completed fermentation and distillation, the new make spirit is ready to fill an American oak barrel and take a rest. The maturation process turns ‘white dog’ into whiskey and gives the clear distillate all its color and much of its flavor. In 1917, Woodrow Wilson signed a temporary prohibition on alcohol to secure grain and ethanol capacity for the war effort during World War I.

There are 2 main differences between Maker’s 46 and Maker’s Mark. The first is that the 46 is aged longer which mellows it out more while adding more flavor. The second is that seared French oak staves are seeped in the bourbon towards the end of it’s additional aging process bringing out some even more flavors. Other than those 2 factors, which are admittedly important, it’s the same thing as the original Maker’s. Same mash, same barrels, same red winter wheat, same everything. In 1930, the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act was passed by congress, which worsened the Great Depression according to many economists. In 2014, Beam Inc. was acquired by Suntory. The U.S. holding company Beam Suntory was formed to oversee the North American portfolio. Caramel and toasted wood moving along with vanilla ice cream, under ripe citrus, sweet grains, roasted corn, cinnamon and a host of sweet dessert notes. Much more depth of flavor than the traditional Maker’s Mark. 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.The palate is rich and creamy with notes of oak, dark chocolate, and cinnamon. It’s not as deep as the nose would indicate, but it’s still soft and well-balanced. During one of John’s frequent travels, he managed to secure a bottle of this whiskey. And, to our delight, we’ve learned that Maker’s Mark 46 will soon be available in South Africa, making it easier to replace our beloved bottle when the time comes. 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. 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 Finish: What note would you expect to be the most dominant on the finish? If you said oak, you’re right. The finish is largely a tannin-heavy experience with tobacco leaf also joining the mix.