Company: Beam Suntory
Distillery: Maker’s Mark Distillery
Region: Loretto, Kentucky
Aging: No Official Age Statement but Approximately 6 Years
ABV: 55.05% ABV
Proof: 110.1 Proof
Mash Bill: 70% Corn, 16% Soft Red Winter Wheat, 14% Malted Barley
Non-Chill Filtered: No
MSRP Price: $60
Maker’s Mark 46 Cask Strength Tasting Notes
Appearance: Dark Amber
Nose: Rich caramel, heavy oak, vanilla, banana, dark cherry, cinnamon, baking spice, grain
Palate: Heavy oak, dark cherry sweetness, caramel, vanilla, wheat grain, grassy, black pepper
Finish: Long heavy finish with a bit of heat and an oily mouthfeel that sucks the moisture out of your mouth – leaves you with heavy oak and caramel then turns to cherry pie and grain with a lingering pepper spice. On the very tail end, I almost get a bit of a green, grassy note that sticks around for a while.
Is Maker’s Mark 46 Cask Strength an Approachable Whiskey?
Maker’s Mark 46 Cask Strength packs quite a punch with its 55.05% ABV.
This is not a whiskey for beginners.
Is Maker’s Mark 46 Cask Strength Complex?
Maker’s Mark 46 Cask Strength has quite a bit of depth to it.
The nose is lovely and is packed sweet caramel, heavy oak, and cherry pie notes that really suck you in.
Once it hits your palate, it blasts your taste buds with heavy oak, vanilla, rich caramel, and still carries the cherry pie notes from the french oaked casks.
But it also has a very grain-heavy, grassy, pepper spice flavor profile that likely comes from the Red Winter Wheat and almost takes over the corn sweetness.
The finish really sticks around and your mouth will feel dried out as you experience an array of spices and earthy, grassy flavors.
What are Maker’s Mark 46 Cask Strength’s strongest attributes/flavors?
Maker’s Mark 46 Cask Strength’s strongest attribute is its heavy finish.
If I were reviewing a wine, I would classify this finish as chewy and it reminds me of the more expensive wines that seem to almost suck all the moisture from your mouth and leave you with a dry mouthfeel that makes you want to take your next sip.
Is Maker’s Mark 46 Cask Strength a go-to whiskey?
Maker’s Mark 46 Cask Strength is a pretty strong whiskey and is not always available for purchase which leans me toward saving this one for more special occasions.
This is a whiskey I would serve with a nice meal or a fancy cigar.
Is Maker’s Mark 46 Cask Strength priced accurately to its quality?
Maker’s Mark 46 Cask Strength is worth the purchase at $60 if you’re a fan of bold, heavy whiskeys.
This bottle really packs a punch and the finish is quite impressive.
If you’re not looking for a special experience, I would probably just pick up a bottle of the standard Maker’s Mark 46 which costs $15 less and is a bit smoother to drink.
Conclusion for Maker’s Mark 46 Cask Strength
Maker’s Mark 46 Cask Strength delivers a unique experience that delivers a finish I don’t often find with bourbons.
With that being said, I would still probably prefer a standard Maker’s Mark 46 or a Maker’s Mark Single Barrel Selection.
And if you’re looking for the best of Maker’s Mark, you should check out the Maker’s Mark BEP Wood Finishing Series.
It’s easily my favorite bottle of Maker’s Mark to date.
Let Us Know What You Think
I hope you enjoyed this tasting experience with me.
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Thanks for reading and cheers!
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