Whiskey Review: Maker’s Mark 46: French Oaked Bourbon

Introduction

Today, we’re reviewing Maker’s Mark 46, a French-oaked bourbon that first hit shelves in 2010. When we first tried it in 2019, we both assumed this label had been around much longer, but it turns out it was only a decade old at that point.

Maker’s Mark, of course, is one of the world’s best-selling wheated bourbons. In a wheated mash bill, wheat takes the place of rye as the secondary grain after corn, typically producing a softer nose and sweeter profile. We almost always find cherry notes in wheated bourbons, and even after all the whiskeys we’ve reviewed, this remains one of our favorite categories.

Maker’s 46 starts out as standard Maker’s Mark—made in batches of less than 1,000 gallons—before being finished with ten heavily seared French oak staves inserted into the barrel. The whiskey is then aged for an additional two to three months. This finishing technique adds depth and a distinct oak character.

Mash bill: 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley
Proof: 94
Release: Ongoing since 2010

This review was taken from our episode "Some Like it Hot (1959) / Maker's Mark 46 Bourbon." Click the link to listen to this review in audio format.

Nose

Brad: This nose is incredible. The first thing I wrote down was “grape drink.” Not grape juice, but grape drink. From there, I picked up amaretto, vanilla, and even a fudgesicle vibe. After it sat in the glass for a while, some brown sugar notes and a nutmeg spice came forward. It’s sweet, but also layered. 9/10

Bob: I poured mine right before recording, so it needed a few minutes to settle. At first, I was hit by the barley in the mash bill, which gave it a more aggressive, almost raw edge. But as it opened up, I got chocolatey notes, and then it shifted into this Coca-Cola effervescence with caramel and cherry underneath. Honestly, it smells like a caramel sundae with one of those neon-red maraschino cherries on top. 8/10

Taste

Brad: On the palate, I got cherry cola right away, with a ton of caramel and then this buttery, flaky croissant note that I loved. This is layered, dessert-like, and still distinctly bourbon. 8.5/10

Bob: I’ll give it an 8/10. I like it a lot, but I think they’re using too much barley in the mash bill. At 14%, it’s almost competing with the wheat and corn, and it gives me some ashy, cigarette-like notes I usually find in American single malts. Combined with the French oak staves, it pushes just a little bitter for me. Still, it’s really solid.

Finish

Brad: The finish has a ton of charred oak, which makes sense given the extra staves. But it balances out with butter toffee, cherry cola, and a long vanilla note that hangs around. I liked it a lot. 8/10

Bob: This is where that bitterness creeps in for me. The charred oak and the barley influence are really noticeable on the back end. I don’t think it’s a bad finish, but it veers more bitter than I’d like. 7/10

Balance

Brad: The balance here is terrific. From nose to palate to finish, the flavors all complement each other and nothing feels disjointed. There’s just enough spice to keep it interesting. 9/10

Bob: I’m lower than Brad here. It’s consistent, but I still prefer the regular Maker’s or especially the Maker’s Cask Strength over this. 7/10

Value

Brad: At $37 in Ohio, I think this is a steal. You’re getting a weeded bourbon with an extra French oak twist for under $40. 8.5/10 (later adjusted to 9/10)

Bob: $37 puts it right next to Elijah Craig at 94 proof, which makes sense. But since I don’t love this particular profile, I’m giving it 6.5/10.

Final Scores

• Brad: 43.5/50

• Bob: 36.5/50

• Average: 40/50

Conclusion

Maker’s Mark 46 splits us more than most whiskeys do. Brad loved the layers of sweetness and balance, while Bob found the French oak staves and high barley content pushed it toward bitterness. But even with that divide, we both came out recommending it.

At an average score of 40/50, Maker’s 46 earns a spot in rare company on our podcast—it’s officially in the “great whiskey” category. If you’re already a fan of Maker’s Mark, this is a must-try. If you’re new to wheated bourbons, this might be the pour that wins you over.