What is My Favorite Whiskey?
My whiskey of the week… Makers Mark 46 Cask Strength
By Richard Green
Well, what is my favorite Whisk(e)y? continues to be an outstanding, hard-to-answer question given the big picture across the whole of the industry, and how I feel weekly. I will probably continue to talk about bourbon specifically, since it continues to be my favorite type.
If you are new to the blog then you should be aware that, by some counts, I would be seen truly as merely an amateur or eager hobbyist, but I also don’t personally know a lot of individuals that are as into hunting, collecting and imbibing as much as myself. I’m somewhat of an expert among my small group of friends and family however.
From my blog post you may also know that although I am no longer young, I am the youngest of my family and have always looked up to my brothers. They will always be my elders and automatically get my respect and admiration. My brother, I call him Bill (just for the blog), lives in Kentucky about 40 minutes from Louisville, a.k.a., the Mecca of Bourbon. Bill introduced me to bourbon. I didn’t really know anything about the industry or the products until he invited me to his home one weekend in 2019 and we had a great evening of comradery. Also known by what friends call a regular meeting of the Heman-woman-haters-club, a coming-to-Jesus meeting of manly expression. A bit of a misnomer as it is not a hate session, nor an actual religion, but the straight male version of women on private phone calls or meeting in public rest rooms to contemplate the opposite species from Mars, and talking about their dates. Okay, I am way off of the subject at hand, so mea culpa.
Bill had some interesting options for us to try and started me out getting my proverbial drink on with: Four Roses Single Barrel, Henry McKenna Single Barrel Bottled in Bond 10-year, Knob Creek Single Barrel Select (non-age stated) 120 proof, Blanton’s Single Barrel, and Booker’s “Country Ham” 2019-03. I didn’t know how privileged I was at the time to try out these great bourbons.
Anyway, as part of my trips to Kentucky I have had the opportunity to visit a number of distilleries and whisk(e)y tastings, places like Four Roses, Makers Mark, Jim Beam, Heaven Hill, and Buffalo Trace to name a few. Not bragging (maybe a humble brag-oops), really just blessed to have been able to travel that way. Makers Mark is and was a favorite destination.
As an amateur, I tend to appreciate the sweet side of bourbon (taste), but I’m starting to really appreciate those brands and offerings that are more complex. So I’m slowly beginning to understand those “proof hounds” out there that comprehend the math that more proof (more alcohol by volume (ABV)) generally means more flavor (think concentrated OJ can from the freezer that you didn’t mix with enough water).
Recently I did a comparison of regular offerings of Makers Mark, Makers Mark 46 and the somewhat hard-to-find re-released Makers Mark 46 Cask Strength, which was reintroduced into the market on July 2020 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Makers 46.
Maker’s Mark 46 Cask Strength is the barrel proof version of the standard Maker’s 46. Maker’s 46 starts off as standard Maker’s Mark, which is a wheated bourbon made in batches of less than 1,000 gallons. The barrels are emptied then heavily seared French oak staves (deemed version or profile 46 by the barrel manufacturer) are placed into the emptied standard Maker’s Mark barrels, which are then refilled and placed back into warehouse to age again for an undisclosed amount of time (estimated to be 9 weeks).
I understand from other reviews that the proofs have varied on the releases since it was reintroduced, which are generally around the 110 range. For me, this was actually the third bottle I have possessed that seemed slightly less flavorful than the last one I had the privilege of partaking in, but were all the same proof. In my opinion bourbons tend to vary a bit even within the same product offering at the higher proof points. My tastes also seem to vary based upon other outside influences such as what else I drank or ate during the time leading up to final tasting.
The end result today was a unique product which the significantly varied from the non-cask strength version but was full flavored and very warming and satisfying with a decent or medium long finish.
The Maker’s Mark 46 Cask Strength amplifies the flavors compared to the standard Maker’s 46, but is significantly spicier, which would be surprising for a wheated bourbon if the proof wasn’t there to support or push forward the amplified taste. I didn’t find a whole lot to tie the two products together (46 and 46 Cask Strength), but INHO compares significantly to other Wood Finishing series offerings like the 2021 Wood Finishing Series release, Maker’s Mark FAE-02 (Maker’s FAE-02) bourbon. Note FAE = Fatty Acid Esters retained during the distillation and aging process.
Maker’s Mark 46 Cask Strength
Classification: Straight Bourbon Finished with French Oak Staves
Region: Loretto, KY
Company: Beam Suntory
Distillery: Maker’s Mark
Release Date: 2021
Proof: 110.3
Age: NAS
Mashbill: 70% Corn, 16% Wheat, 14% Malted Barley
Color: Light Copper
MSRP: ~$65 (2021)
According to the product material, Maker’s Mark 46 Cask Strength was originally released as a distillery-only product in 2015 and reintroduced to celebrate the 10th anniversary. I have found bottles on the shelves in Virginia (for a limited time in 2021), and in Ohio and Michigan in 2022. I hope they continue to release this product to a wider audience as it is worth hunting.
THE NOSE
Classic bourbon notes with distinct scents of vanilla, light oak, maybe graham cracker, light brown sugar and a slight cherry note. It significantly reminded me of the FAE-02 Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series from 2021 released as a Limited Release. I could immediately tell it was more proof than the standard 46 as it offers a little alcohol heat with heavy draws, but it is not offensive and certainly not as offensive as other products at this proof point.
This bourbon reminds me of everything you need for great warm night in the air conditioning on a summer night (as was the case for me). I saw it described on line as a perfect campfire-inspired flavor profile sans the smoke. Other than wanting to drink it outside myself or maybe anytime if it weren’t 100 degrees outside as of the writing of this review, I didn’t really share that experience. Your mileage may vary.
Overall, it’s has classic scents and a bit of proof on the nose. After the first sip the cherry notes are more prominent as is a bit of cinnamon.
THE PALATE
Sweet and bold cinnamon with classical Cherry flavors. No wheat funk, if you follow that reference. This cask strength bourbon surges with flavor and a noticeable proof, primarily a nice cinnamon flavor, cherry sweetness and light oak. Gone from the nose was the prominent vanilla notes which I unfortunately didn’t find in the palate. I picked up on other non-descript spices that were not prominent nor offensive, thanks to the wheat-ed profile you find in this bottle over the typical rye you would find in other bourbons. Again, the bold cinnamon flavor showcases the bourbon’s proof, but please don’t take this bottle away from me. It is really great, and yet again what a change from the nose. As a wheat-er is has the Great cinnamon flavor which reminded me as a more muted yet similar palate to a Private Barrel selection of ECBP (8-year) bottle pick at 132.5 proof I picked up in Washington DC recently, but not nearly as bold.
It’s an amplification of the standard Makers Mark and more similar to it than the standard Makers 46.
THE FINISH
This bourbon offers a quick blaze of heat followed by a light cinnamon, some sweetness carried over from the cherry flavors and some dry oak and a nice short medium Kentucky Hug. The sweet and oaky flavors leaves you satisfied and wanting another sip.
Excellent Review.
Thanks
Test of blog comments commences…
Very informative. Thank you