Maker's Mark 46 Kentucky Bourbon Whisky, 70cl

Product Information

Nose: For having more oak influence, it comes off as incredibly sweet. Cinnamon, sour cream coffee cake and a hint of butterscotch all make it smell much better than the price tag tells you it should. There’s even a hint of baked orchard fruits within. Nice! The nose is rich with standard Maker’s notes like vanilla, caramel, and oak, but with a faint hint of dark chocolate.

If you’ve had the Maker’s 46 add your own thoughts or notes in the comments below. Maker’s 46 Review It is bottled when the tasters agree that it is ready, roughly around 6 yo. The Maker’s Mark bourbon mash bill does not include rye. Instead of rye, Maker’s Mark uses red winter wheat (16%), along with corn (70%) and malted barley (14%). With its distinct character and unique production process, this bourbon is a must-try for any bourbon connoisseur.The wheated mash bill of Maker’s Mark likely takes up nearly all the production capacity at its namesake distillery. Maturation 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. 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. Starting at the nose, the initial wafts coming from the two glasses are pretty similar. Both have cherries, vanilla and oak. After a while, the Maker’s 46 shows a bolder, creamy wooden note on the nose. Looking at the Maker’s Mark, the vanilla and cherries continue on the palate. Not as dry as Maker’s and with lots of caramel and dessert notes mixed with wood that slowly fades with a long finish.

Now that we know the process behind how Maker’s 46 differs from regular Maker’s Mark, let’s find out how the taste has changed. I sampled this neat in a glencairn. 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. 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. These two brands were never meant to compete side-by-side. They are positioned in separate price segments to appeal to customers within entirely different demographics. Sadly, the variety of Maker’s Mark bourbon available in South Africa is (currently) limited to these two releases only. So what is the difference between these two bottles?Finish: Oak is dominate but tobacco pops up. The tannins are quite nice to find in a bourbon that is this inexpensive. Vanilla latte, cinnamon and toasted caramel round out this moderately long finish. The 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. Palate: This is very drinkable and easy to sip. Oaky flavors blend with caramel and vanilla right away. There is a tiny bit of nuttiness to it, but overall it’s not very complex. The flavors it provides all do a great job and make for a satisfying pour. But its simplicity keeps it from being even greater. Maker’s Mark though, cought my eye again at the age of 25, its Red Wax seal, its intriguing bottle design. Rich and creamy. There are notes of oak, vanilla cinnamon, all perfectly balanced. The Maker's 46 has a big mouthfeel. It is smooth like creamed honey. After the second sip, butter toffee, toast and hints of pepper show up. Water softens the heat a bit, but it is easy enough to drink without water.