Maker's Mark 46 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky 750ml

Maker's Mark 46 is the original wood finished expression from the Maker's Mark Distillery in Loretto, Kentucky, launched in 2010 and named after the 46th iteration of the wood profile experiment that finally hit the mark. Created by Bill Samuels Jr., son of founder Bill Samuels Sr., Maker's 46 takes fully matured Maker's Mark bourbon and adds an innovative second stage of finishing using ten seared French oak staves placed inside the barrel for an additional aging period in the limestone cooled cellars at Star Hill Farm. The toasted French oak imparts richer, more complex flavors of caramel, vanilla, and warm baking spice while preserving the soft, creamy character of the brand's signature wheated mash bill of 70% corn, 16% soft red winter wheat, and 14% malted barley. Bottled at 47% ABV and 94 proof, Maker's 46 strikes a balance between the approachability of the standard 90 proof Maker's Mark and the bigger, more intense character of Cask Strength. Every bottle is finished with the iconic hand dipped red wax seal, this one with longer drips that signal the 46 expression, completing one of the most recognizable presentations in American whiskey.

ABV / Proof

Tasting Notes

Color: Deep amber with rich copper highlights, noticeably darker than the standard Maker's Mark.

Nose: Caramel, vanilla, and toasted oak lead, layered with rich baking spice, cinnamon, and a touch of dried fruit. The French oak influence is clear without dominating, with the signature wheated softness underneath.

Palate: Smooth and full bodied with intense caramel, brown sugar, and vanilla. The seared French oak adds notable warmth, spice, and complexity to the mid palate, with notes of toffee, dark chocolate, and gentle clove. Deeper and more nuanced than the standard Maker's Mark.

Finish: Long and warming with lingering caramel, oak, and a final touch of spice. Smoother than the proof might suggest thanks to the wheated mash bill, with the French oak influence carrying through to the end.

FAQ

Why is it called Maker's 46?
The name comes from the 46th wood profile experiment that the Samuels family ran when developing the expression. After testing 45 different combinations of wood treatments, they landed on profile number 46, which used ten seared French oak staves inserted into a fully aged Maker's Mark barrel. The expression launched in 2010 and was the first new permanent Maker's Mark product since the brand was founded in 1953.

How is Maker's 46 different from regular Maker's Mark?
Both share the same 70/16/14 wheated mash bill and source distillery. Maker's Mark is bottled at 90 proof after standard maturation, while Maker's 46 is bottled at 94 proof after an additional finishing period with seared French oak staves added to the barrel. The result is a deeper, more complex bourbon with bigger caramel, oak, and spice notes while preserving the signature soft, creamy wheated character.

What are the seared French oak staves?
The 46 process uses ten staves of French oak that have been seared, a more intense form of toasting that caramelizes the wood sugars. The staves are inserted into a finished Maker's Mark barrel and aged for an additional period in the limestone cellars at Star Hill Farm. The seared French oak imparts deeper caramel, vanilla, and spice flavors that the original American oak alone cannot deliver.

Where can I buy Maker's 46 online?
Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.