Popular distilleries with a narrow range of bottles can be a blessing when you review whiskey for a hobby and have a relatively limited budget. The same could also apply to whiskey-curious consumers since they only need to parse through a handful of bottles in order to land on a purchase. So with a brand like Maker’s Mark, there’s almost no room to make a wrong decision, so long as you take a minute or two to see what distinguishes one expression from the next.

Although the guiding principle behind Maker’s Mark has been the self-proclaimed “flavor vision,” I think it’s easy to look at this as consistency. Even with the fun-by-design Private Selections and annual Wood Finishing Series releases, there’s always an underlying profile to Maker’s Mark that either makes them endearing or annoying, depending on who you ask. To that end, the first new Maker’s Mark product released since the distillery opened in 1958 came when Bill Samuels, Jr., sought to craft a new version of Maker’s Mark “with amplified notes of vanilla, caramel and spice while offering a longer finishing without the bitterness my Dad was so opposed to,” an aversion that absolutely bleeds into every other expression in the Loretto distillery’s portfolio.

Maker’s Mark 46, lifting its name from the recipe number after several rounds of trial and error, utilizes barrels of Maker’s Mark, adds 10 virgin French oak staves, and undergoes an additional maturation period (supposedly two to three months). This became the catalyst for the aforementioned Private Selections and Wood Finishing Series, which probably says all you need to know about the reception to this experiment. Maker’s 46 went through a branding refresh in 2023; going from the same bottle shape as the Private Selections to the more rectangular bottle used in the standard, non-finished Maker’s Mark. The product should allegedly be produced to the same standards, although whether you like the new look (or think it’s fitting) is another story.

I’ve reviewed every other Maker’s Mark product in their core range, so a breakdown of the proofed down version has been a long time coming. Maker’s Mark 46 should be available at any store selling regular Maker’s Mark and retails for about $35.

Nose: Hazelnut coffee with big vanilla overtones producing crème brûlée and cream soda notes. Hints of clove and dusty wood keep the sweet personality in check while masking the usual cornbread backbone I get in many Maker’s bottlings.

Palate: Comes on toasty while sweet vanilla and crème brûlée notes waft over the palate, matched by an appropriately creamy mouthfeel. Warm, buttery rolls and whipped cream cheese frosting.

Finish: Quite lengthy, especially for the proof. Mildly drying sensation from oak, clove, and hints of anise. Closes with a faint menthol-adjacent essence.

The backstory for Maker’s Mark 46 sounds like an attempt by Bill Samuels, Jr., to create his own stamp on the brand, introducing a secondary, more elevated entry point for certain consumers. And while the 90 proof bottling is plenty to satisfy most of the distillery’s fans, Maker’s 46 feels like a proper and logical progression from its sibling. My chief complaint with Maker’s Mark is the bright, sharp personality it gives off, especially considering its allegedly six to seven years old. This is where Maker’s 46 comes in. Although barrel finishes can feel like a way to cover up younger or subpar whiskey, especially when it feels like finished whiskey outnumbers non-finished options on store shelves, the virgin French oak staves used in Maker’s 46 feel like a natural remedy.

I’m particularly fond of the dessert, coffee-meets-fudge shop vibes this bourbon gives off. This goes doubly so when considering how they effectively replace the more cereal-like notes of Maker’s Mark, 101, and Cask Strength. I basically said as much in my review of Maker’s Mark 46 Cask Strength, and I’m happy to report that the original, lower proof version barely misses a beat in capturing a similar overall experience. My biggest surprise might be how the toasty and borderline spice-forward Maker’s 46 can come across, which makes it an exciting option for cocktails and tastings.

Where non-finished Maker’s Mark products can feel raw and unrefined, Maker’s 46 rounds things out without compromising on the positive fundamentals. For my money and enjoyment, this is where the brand’s options start. I have an easier time enjoying this neat and utilizing it in recipes, particularly on cold nights during the holidays when it’s easier to pull out the more festive notes. Factor in the fantastic availability with appropriate pricing and we have a stellar product that I’m glad Maker’s Mark added to their permanent lineup.