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.
Maker’s 46 gets it’s name from the profile number of the seared French oak staves that are added during the extra aging. The profile number corresponds to the charring rate and temperature development in the staves which can bring out different flavors and characteristics in the wood. Those characteristics can in turn change the flavor of the whisky aged in it which becomes very noticeable when tasting Maker’s Mark and Maker’s 46 side by side. The extra aging and the double wood really transforms this whisky into something uniquely tasty.
Overall I thoroughly enjoy this whisky and it’s filled with complex sweet flavors that bring out a lot of characteristics that aren’t found in many other bourbons. It’s a well balanced bourbon that’s versatile and works well neat or on the rocks and cheap enough that it can be used to make high quality cocktails and you don’t feel bad about it. Unlike with Gentleman Jack some additional care and aging actually took place and makes this worth the extra cost over it’s traditional counterpart.
If you’ve had the Maker’s 46 add your own thoughts or notes in the comments below.
Maker’s 46 Review
ABV: 47%
Price: $32
Distiller: Maker’s Mark
EYE
Deep amber with red accents
NOSE
Wow the wheat comes up here. Sitting side by side with the wheat are cherries, caramel, vanilla, oak and a complex nose of a pastry shop and s candy store. Very sweet nose.
TASTE
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.
FEEL
Oilier than traditional Maker’s Mark it has a very easy and mild texture that warms going down.
FINISH
Not as dry as Maker’s and with lots of caramel and dessert notes mixed with wood that slowly fades with a long finish.
SCORE: 91/100
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Maker’s Mark 46: Empty Bottle Reflections (07-20-14 update)
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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.
I don’t think I really need to say it, but the Maker’s 46 was a run-away success and a favorite of the night with folks giving up their tickets for the other whiskeys to get another sample of the 46.I personally wouldn’t have done that because I enjoy variety, but it’s such a delightful and tasty bourbon I can see why some might have wanted to.
Warm, smooth, complex and most importantly reliable. Other than a minor butterscotch note and a hint of astringency starting to roll in during the last 2 or 3 glasses it’s remained virtually the same as the first glass. Which also means that the score stays exactly the same, but with the way it tasted first out of the glass there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.
I'm a simple man, of simple tastes
Allow me to pre face this review by saying that I am most certainly not a whiskey connoisseur. I won’t begin to pretend I could tell you every single nuance detail about this whisky’s flavor, Nor will I flatter myself by trying to make it sound like my palate the most refined and well trained.
I 1st tried maker’s mark original recipe when I was about 16 years old and at the time I thought it was oddly tasty, perhaps that was because I had snuck a sip out of the liquor cabinet when I was home alone and the taste of my teenage rebellion mixed in with the whiskey.
As an adult Maker’s is my go to whiskey, and it is actually the brand that got me into whiskey in the first place. I am normally a Beer man, and on occasion I would drink some expensive Rum. I always felt whiskey was too standard for me.
Maker’s Mark though, cought my eye again at the age of 25, its Red Wax seal, its intriguing bottle design.
I love The original flavor of maker’s mark bourbon and it is my current go to for weekend drinks.
That being said I feel like maker’s mark number 46 is almost a little too good. It’s almost as if the simplicity that I love about maker’s mark original is overpowered by new flavors and a stronger taste.
Makers mark number 46 is absolutely fantastic and I do love it but I do not feel it is a bourbon that I can drink every weekend Without feeling like I’m drinking all the money I spent.
Thanks for sharing Maverick James Gentry, loved reading this. Cheers!
Great pour...
I’ve been on the fence about this one for a while and found a gift bag with a couple of glasses so I had to pull the trigger… am I ever glad I did! This is a terrific wheater!!! I like the regular Makers Mark okay but this one it’s kicked up and quite delicious. I paired this neat with a Perdomo cigar and it was a truly enjoyable experience…. I will definitely be picking more of this up and plan on making it an “always have” bourbon…
Awesome, thanks for sharing. Cheers!
Nothing against Perdomo, but knock it up a couple notches to a Padron & pair with this whiskey and you’ll be seeing the world in technicolor!
My wife bought me this for our 19th wedding anniversary and was it ever tasty. I normally enjoy my bourbon on the rocks but this sweet nectar is best consumed neat. Smooth, mellow, and tasty to the last drop. Plus, it’s on sale at Costco for 23.00 a bottle, if you buy two. I’ll be going back to stock up for sure. Keep up the great work Josh and I appreciate your dedication to all things whisky.
Thank you Mar’k and thanks for sharing. Love hearing stories about folks enjoying whiskey, and Happy Anniversary! Cheers!
I finished the final glass last night and am very pleased to report that it improved steadily, glass over glass, during the past 4 months. Truly a top-notch bourbon.
I was in my local ‘Bourbon Street’ last week, a small chain with a surprising number of single-barrel store picks. They had a new shipment of Private Select that I plan to try. (I already the the last Blanton’s in hand when I saw the bottles.)
Sounds like an awesome place. Cheers Tony!
Finally had the chance to give this a try! All I gotta say is WoW. This is some good stuff, could drink this one on the rocks! Too good for a mixer IMO. But hey I’ll probably try it with sprite Haha.
Maker’s 46 makes up for my dissapointment with Larceny and then some. Unique and delicious from the first glass, it has earned a place in my under $50 rotation. Dessert in a glass.
This isn’t a win for me. I’ll stick with Woodford or Bulleit Rye if I’m looking for a flavorful liquor.
Except for an unbelievable seasonal version I had at the distillery itself, it’s pretty hard to imagine a bourbon getting too much better than this one. At least, I would say that it’s pretty hard to imagine one getting much better than this for under $50. It’s hard to say exactly how, but there’s a greater sweetness, distinctiveness, and character to this one than to the original.
Great site Josh! I’m new to bourbon and agree with your assessment of Makers 46. Keep up the great work.
Thanks Mark, cheers!
I love this stuff. I haven’t tried standard Makers and I was planning on getting some but I’m having a hard time talking myself out of another bottle of this instead.
Picked up a bottle based on your review and I was pleased at first sip. I tried it neat, then with a slight splash of water. I’m impressed with how smooth this is as well as flavorful. I tried it on the rocks too and it was better neat in my opinion. I have to say that I have yet to find anything I like better than Woodford Double Oak to date. But this would be pretty close to second for me. Dollar for dollar it’s better. Just starting to really understand and appreciate a better whiskey. Going to try Jameson Black Barrel next based on what you’ve reviewed. Thanks for all the wonderful info!
Thanks Mark and cheers!
A great whiskey for the price point. Was first introduced to it when my wife and I went to the Matrix Casino in San Jose, California for the grand opening of Michi Sushi.
Watched Thursday Night Football, some calamari, a couple drinks and some nice conversation as we had our nightcap. Every single sip reminds me of how relaxed the two of us were that night.
It reminds me of the fall, this stuff.
That is a great story, thanks for sharing Matt. Cheers!
I definitely enjoyed this. Has a definite softer “creamier” mouthfeel and a nice buttercream icing note that is absent in the standard MM. However, it is mid 40’s in my neck of the woods which is over my per bottle budget and if I’m going to fib on that it’s going to be for 4Roses SB, Rare Breed, etc.
I don’t blame you for that price point.
I love this bourbon thoroughly. I detected a real nose of maple and on the front it is a nirvana of sweet, complex flavors that I can only describe as a smokey, oaky, caramel corn, country spruce, epic adventure. The back is everything that I love about bourbon. Sinus kick and warm throat, without of a hint of harshness. As every red grape longs to be a Napa Valley Merlot, every kernel of corn longs to be a bourbon like this. Well done Maker’s.
Thanks for sharing Joe. Cheers!
Me and my wife tasted this together and loved it! I’ve been a long time reader on your site and love your reviews and really respect your opinion. I don’t know if it’s just me but I tasted cordial cherry! Overall a delicious whiskey.
Cheers Petour and thanks! Cordial Cherry definitley makes sense. A cherry-like flavor is something I find in a lot of wheated bourbons. Glad you enjoyed the whiskey… and the site. :)
I do not like Maker’s Mark, but I’ll drink Maker’s 46 anytime. The oak staves do remarkable work to this whisky and really mature the whisky. Remarkable cherry notes throughout with vanilla and oak. A nice value at $32 and a great sipper.
Cheers Ben!
Can I also add that after several drive now of this, I have fallen in love with the long finish that includes dates and a light tobacco flavor. It lingers amazingly. My everyday sipper.
You sure can, thanks for sharing :)
Cheers!
MM46 is my new favorite daily sipper. Love the wood coming through in the flavors. Great deal for what you get at this price point!
Indeed it is, cheers Keith!
This is my first bottle and I have to say my favorite in a line of new tastings quite smooth and sweet not real strong alcohol or burn as I drink it on the rock. I believe this will be my new favorite in this price range . Thanks
Awesome, glad you found something you’re enjoying. Cheers Burt!
This whisky has become my “Daily” drinker. It starts a bit spicy but as you drink it something magical happens. It morphs into this big red gum mixed with vanilla and mild sweet candy flavor monster that you CAN NOT STOP sipping. Drink it neat. Ponder the good things in life. Be happy! When I finish one of my two bottles I immediately buy another. 31$ at Sams club. For a whisky this delicious….what a steal!
This is my new daily sipper (if you can say “new” to six months of this – previously it was the basic Makers Mark). But why on earth don’t they use a real cork stopper? Otherwise it’s the most reliable way to end a day and say Life is Beautiful.
Lost of differing opinions on the fake cork, me I like it better than a real cork. Though on MM46 being a good way to end a day we definitely agree. Cheers Mike!
As a rye fan, I miss the spicy complexity of having rye prominently featured in the mashbill. I paid $40 for this, on sale, and I can’t say it beats others at that price point, like Russell’s Reserve. But this is a fine whiskey. It’s that astringent wheat aspect that doesn’t float my boat so much. It feels thin on the upper palette, if that makes sense.
I can understand what you’re saying and like most things it’s not for everyone. About 1/2 the folks I drink with like it and the other 1/2 hate it. I’m on the 1/2 that like it :)
Cheers!
Finally picked this up, really enjoyed it. Thanks for the review it was the main reason I picked it up. Can see this as a staple in my bar.
On a sad note my friend went to New Hampshire and was supposed to bring me a Russells Reserve Single Barrel and returned without it. Broke my heart as it is not available in Canada.
Oh man that is too bad. The RR SiB is definitely among my favorite bourbons, but glad to hear you’re enjoying the Maker’s 46!
Cheers!
One of my favorites! Great nose…Vanilla, Caramel and some light fruitiness. With a splash of water, it opens up even more. Love the oak and vanilla flavor with mild spiciness on the finish. Overall very enjoyable.
Picked a bottle up last night. Wheat, oak, roasted corn, caramel, good depth…lovely stuff, and the price is just right (especially for a guy used to single malt).
Yeah it’s hard to beat the price for what you get on this one. Definitely a great value.
I didn’t know if you were being facetious, but Maker’s 46 was named after their 46th experiment, not the amount of staves that touch the whiskey. That would be an interesting marketing gimmick though, I can almost see that being the next thing to come out of WhistlePig or Templeton…
http://www.forbes.com/sites/booze/2010/07/22/making-46-makers-mark-produces-first-new-bourbon-in-half-a-century/
We’re actually saying the same thing. The “Wood Chef” had 125 different “recipes” for wood + toasting and charring to create that flavor profile and it was recipe / experiment 46 (which referenced a specific char & temperature profile for the french staves) that ended up being the winner.