Maker's Mark 46 Kentucky Bourbon Whisky, 70cl

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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.

Maker’s Mark 46 is a bolder and spicier alternative to the traditional Maker’s Mark, featuring an oilier mouthfeel and a delightful complexity. It’s an easy-drinking and delicious bourbon. Both brands are produced by parent company Beam Suntory, but they are distilled and matured at entirely different facilities. As far as we can tell, production lines are completely independent for Maker’s Mark.

Give 46 a stir

Maker’s Mark was lagging behind when it came to new product releases after the start of the bourbon boom. Other distilleries were keen on giving consumers all the things like single barrels, increased age statements, more barrel strength options, finished whiskies and new mash bills. 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. I recently held a whiskey tasting on a yacht for 500+ advertising professionals and it was featuring the two whisk(e)y giants Bourbon and Scotch. For the Scotch I wanted to showcase a peated and un-peated whisky so I featured Ardbeg 10 and Glenmorangie 10. For the bourbon I wanted a traditional bourbon and a wheated bourbon so I went with Evan Williams 2004 Vintage Single Barrel and this, Maker’s 46. If you’ve had the Maker’s 46 add your own thoughts or notes in the comments below. Maker’s 46 Review 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.

One of the more recognizable bottles of bourbon on my shelf is the Maker’s Mark bourbon. With the bright red wax closure, you can spot this bottle at a distance. Today, I want to compare the Maker’s Mark vs Maker’s 46 bourbon whiskey to see how they differ. 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 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. In 2005, Allied Domecq was acquired by Pernod Ricard, who then sold the Maker’s Mark brand to Fortune Brands. The nose is rich with standard Maker’s notes like vanilla, caramel, and oak, but with a faint hint of dark chocolate.

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His wife, Marjorie “Margie” Samuels, gave the whisky its name. She designed the now-classic label and came up with the red wax-dipping top that provides the bottle with its distinctive look. 1968 saw the first bottle of Maker’s Mark. The wheated mash bill of Maker’s Mark likely takes up nearly all the production capacity at its namesake distillery. Maturation 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. 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.