Maker’s Mark 46 French Oaked Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Product Description

Maker’s Mark 46 French Oaked Bourbon: Wheated Bourbon Finished with Ten Seared French Oak Staves

Maker’s Mark 46 is the recipe of Bill Samuels Jr., son of the founders Bill and Margie Samuels, and the first major new expression since the original Maker’s Mark in 1958. It starts as fully matured, cask-strength Maker’s Mark, the brand’s handmade wheated bourbon (70% corn, 16% red winter wheat, 14% malted barley). Then ten seared French oak staves are fitted into the barrel, and the bourbon finishes to maturity in the distillery’s limestone cellar. The seared staves add depth and complexity without the bitterness that longer aging can bring. It’s bottled at 94 proof (47% ABV).

The name comes from the stave profile: Bill Jr. found the perfect stave on file with the Independent Stave Company as “Stave Profile No. 46.” The result is a rich, indulgent bourbon, mildly sweet and layered, that keeps Maker’s Mark’s soft wheated body while adding caramel, vanilla, and baking spice that unfold in layers. It’s a popular sipper and a classic base for a Manhattan or an Old Fashioned.

What’s in the Bottle

• Kentucky straight bourbon, wheated mash bill (70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley)
• Finished with ten seared French oak staves (Stave Profile No. 46)
• 94 proof (47% ABV)
• Maker’s Mark, Loretto, Kentucky; hand-dipped in red wax

Tasting Notes

From Maker’s Mark’s own notes.

Aroma: Hints of toasty French oak, caramel, and baking spices.

Palate: Mildly sweet and uniquely layered, with deep, rich vanilla and baking spice.

Finish: Velvety, subtle, and pleasingly long.

Food Pairings

The caramel and baking spice pair well with aged cheddar or gouda, smoked brisket, and maple-glazed salmon. It also goes with pecan pie, crème brûlée, and charcuterie.

Serving Suggestions

Sip it neat or over one large cube. The brand suggests a Manhattan with sweet vermouth and Angostura bitters, finished with an orange peel and a Luxardo cherry. It also makes a rich Old Fashioned.

Frequently Asked Questions

What proof is it? 94 proof (47% ABV).

What does “46” mean? The French oak stave profile, Stave Profile No. 46.

How many staves? Ten seared French oak staves.

Is it wheated? Yes, with a mash bill of 70% corn, 16% wheat, and 14% malted barley.

How is it different from regular Maker’s Mark? It’s finished with French oak staves and bottled at a higher proof (94 versus 90).

Is it the same as Maker’s 46 Cask Strength? No; that is a separate, higher-proof bottle.

Explore More

Browse our Bourbon collection or Whiskey collection, or try the Maker’s Mark Cask Strength.

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