Maker's Mark 46 is the bourbon that proved a wheated whisky could take on more oak without turning bitter, and it remains the distillery's most successful innovation. It began with Bill Samuels Jr., who wanted to build a new Maker's Mark with deeper vanilla and caramel and a longer finish, but kept running into the harshness that extra wood usually brings. The solution was not more time in the barrel but a different kind of wood, introduced after maturation was already complete. Fully matured Maker's Mark is moved into a second barrel fitted with ten virgin seared French oak staves and left to rest through the cooler months in the distillery's limestone cellar at Loretto, Kentucky. French oak is tighter grained and sweeter than American oak, and searing rather than charring the staves caramelizes the wood sugars without producing bitter tannin. The stave recipe that finally worked was number 46, and the name stuck. The base whisky is classic Maker's Mark, made from a wheated mash of corn, soft red winter wheat and malted barley, which is why the result stays soft and rounded even with the added wood influence. Bottled at 47% ABV (94 proof), it pours a rich amber. The nose is generous with caramel, vanilla and toasted oak alongside baked stone fruit and warm baking spice. The palate is full and creamy, layering dark caramel, vanilla, dried fruit and cinnamon over gentle seared oak. The finish is long and smooth, closing with toffee, spice and soft wood. Excellent neat, over a large cube, or in an Old Fashioned, and finished by hand with the brand's signature red wax dip.
ABV / Proof
| ABV |
47% |
| Proof |
94 |
| Size |
750ml |
| Country |
United States |
| Region |
Kentucky |
| Type |
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky, Wheated |
| Stave Profile |
No. 46, ten virgin French oak staves |
| Distillery |
Maker's Mark Distillery, Loretto, Kentucky |
| Mashbill |
Corn, soft red winter wheat and malted barley |
| Finish |
Secondary barrel, aged in the limestone cellar |
| Age |
No Age Statement |
Tasting Notes
Color: Rich amber.
Nose: Caramel, vanilla and toasted oak with baked stone fruit and warm baking spice.
Palate: Full and creamy, with dark caramel, vanilla, dried fruit and cinnamon over gentle seared oak.
Finish: Long and smooth, with toffee, spice and soft wood.
FAQ
Where does the name 46 come from?
It refers to stave profile number 46, the French oak stave recipe that worked after extensive experimentation by Bill Samuels Jr.
What proof is Maker's Mark 46?
It is bottled at 47% ABV, which is 94 proof.
How is it different from standard Maker's Mark?
Maker's 46 starts as fully matured Maker's Mark, then finishes in a second barrel with ten seared French oak staves, adding more vanilla, caramel and spice depth.
Why French oak instead of American oak?
French oak is tighter grained and sweeter, and searing the staves caramelizes the wood sugars without adding the bitterness extra American oak would bring.
Is this a flavored whiskey?
No. The staves add flavor through wood extraction during a secondary barrel finish, with nothing added to the whisky.
Where can I buy Maker's
