Maker's Mark 46

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 47% | Chill filtration: Yes | Colouring: No

Special Features:

Once fully matured, Maker's Mark 46 undergoes additional ageing with ten specially toasted French oak staves placed in the barrel. This finishing stage takes place in the distillery's limestone cellar. Fully matured Maker's Mark at cask strength provides the base; the finished bottling has an alcohol content of 47%. Its mash uses soft red winter wheat instead of rye.

Bill Samuels Jr., son of founders Bill and Margie Samuels, developed this expression as a bolder interpretation of the classic bourbon. The number 46 refers to the profile used for the French oak staves, which the Independent Stave Company calls Stave Profile No. 46.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: The nose offers hints of toasted French oak, caramel and baking spices.
• Palate: On the palate, gentle sweetness combines with deep notes of vanilla and baking spices.
• Finish: The finish is long, subtle and velvety.

Distillery/Bottler:

The Maker's Mark Distillery stands on Star Hill Farm in Loretto, Kentucky, where whisky has been produced since 1953. Bill Samuels Sr. chose soft red winter wheat for the recipe. Production uses a yeast culture maintained since the early days and double distillation in copper stills.

During maturation, the barrels are moved by hand between areas of the warehouse with different temperatures to encourage even development. Readiness is judged by taste rather than a fixed ageing period alone. The distinctive seal is also made by hand: each bottle is hand-dipped in red wax.

Facts: