Details
- Price: $40
- Proof: 94 (47% ABV)
- Type: Bourbon
- Age: No Age Statement
- Distillery: Maker’s Mark
- Visit the distillery page at Maker’s 46
Review
Nose: The alcohol and heat are tame on this 94 proof distilling, but I notice a few whiskey notes. The barreling process is interesting for Maker’s 46 as they insert 10 seared virgin French oak staves into the barrel and finish it for nine weeks in a limestone cellar (per the distillery site). The dark copper tone is likely derived from this added step.
Palate: Maker’s 46 provides low heat, which is a detractor for those with a bolder palate. The complexity of the whiskey notes is above average as it benefits from Maker’s trademark use of wheat in the mash bill (14%). The flavors are decently rich and the bourbon melts in your mouth, which is nice. For new whiskey drinkers with a less bold palate, Maker’s 46 is an immediate favorite that offers great value. For me, this is an enjoyed drink that lacks the burn I seek (I would have excelled during the Salem witch trials…kudos to anyone that understood that joke).
Finish: The finish is flavorful and delicious, but it lacks boldness and doesn’t create a memorable experience. Palates vary and I anticipate many consumers will enjoy this offering. It’s a good bottle and there is an audience for it, but not everyone.
Rating
Overall Score: 6.9 (score reflects taste and price)
Maker’s 46 uses a unique aging process with seared oak to improve the complexity of flavors from their flagship bourbon. This whiskey is rich and smooth, but lacks heat and bold flavors to create a balanced experience. There’s good value in this bottle at $40, and it will likely be a favorite among consumers seeking less burn, but it lacks certain qualities for bolder palates. Decent, but not exceptional.
Degenerate Discussion
This is a tough whiskey to review. It deserves recognition for the flavors, but it lacks uniqueness to set it apart from other bottles. I encourage consumers to try Maker’s 46 at a bar or even purchase it for larger collections. I would be honest with you if this whiskey sucked more dick than Brokeback Mountain, but it doesn’t. This is also the moment where I’m ashamed of my Degenerate palate that seeks bolder flavors, because I’m a piece of shit. A tiger can’t change its stripes…also, I thought twice on the burn joke above, but still rolled with it. Whenever you think society is deteriorating, just remember they legitimately thought people were witches back in the day. Let’s take a moment to cheers that we aren’t around those morons…I’m keeping an eye on the QAnon community though…