I've spent more hours than I can count behind a bar reaching for Maker's Mark. The standard expression is a workhorse — reliable, approachable, the kind of bourbon you can build a cocktail programme around without thinking twice. So when I finally sat down with Maker's Mark 46, the question wasn't whether it would be good. It was whether the extra work they've put into this bottle actually translates into something worth the step up in price.
For those unfamiliar, Maker's Mark 46 takes the original Maker's Mark and gives it additional maturation with seared French oak staves inside the barrel. It's a finishing technique that adds complexity without reinventing the wheel. At 47% ABV, it carries a touch more proof than the standard 45%, which gives it just enough extra weight to make its presence felt on the palate without tipping into hot territory. At £38.95, it sits in that sweet spot where you're paying more than the entry-level but not remortgaging for the privilege.
Tasting Notes
I won't pretend to give you a definitive breakdown of every flavour compound here — what I will say is that the bourbon style is unmistakable. This is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon through and through: rich, full-bodied, and built on that classic wheated mashbill that Maker's Mark is known for. The 50-year age statement is genuinely remarkable for a bourbon at this price point, and the extra time in wood shows. You should expect depth, warmth, and a certain softness that wheated bourbons deliver so well. The French oak stave finishing adds another dimension — think baking spices, a dry oakiness, and a broader mid-palate than the standard expression. It's noticeably more layered without losing the approachability that makes Maker's Mark what it is.
The Verdict
Here's what I keep coming back to: Maker's Mark 46 does exactly what a good line extension should do. It takes something familiar and pushes it forward without losing the plot. At 47% ABV, it has enough backbone to stand up in cocktails but enough finesse to sip neat. The French oak finishing isn't a gimmick — it genuinely broadens the flavour profile in a way that justifies the modest price bump over the original.
Is it going to blow the mind of someone who drinks nothing but cask-strength single barrels? Probably not. But that's not the point. This is a bourbon that delivers real quality at an accessible price, and it does it with consistency. Every bottle I've opened has tasted like the last one, and in a world of barrel variation and limited releases, there's something genuinely valuable about that reliability. I'm giving it a 7.8 out of 10 — it earns that score through honest craftsmanship and smart pricing rather than hype or scarcity. It's a bourbon I'd recommend without hesitation to anyone looking to step up from the standard Maker's Mark.
Best Served
This is a proper Old Fashioned bourbon. Two ounces of Maker's Mark 46, a barspoon of rich demerara syrup, two dashes of Angostura bitters, stirred long over a large ice cube with an expressed orange peel. The extra proof and oak complexity from the 46 expression means it doesn't get buried under the sweetener the way lighter bourbons can. It holds its shape beautifully in the glass. If cocktails aren't your thing, try it neat at room temperature first, then add a few drops of water — it opens up nicely and the French oak character really comes through. Either way, this is a bottle that earns its place on any back bar.
