Distillery: Beam Suntory
Proof: 110.3
Age: NAS
Mashbill: 70% corn, 16% wheat, & 14% malted barley
BACKGROUND: Makers Mark 46 Cask Strength comes from the standard Makers 46, which is made in batches under 1,000 gallons at a time. When the 46 is bottled, French oak staves are placed in freshly emptied Makers barrels, refilled and aged for two to three months extra. Maker's 46 Cask strength was originally made to be a distillery only expression, but was released to the public in 2020 to celebrate the brand's 10 year anniversary.
NOSE: Quite a dark nose, opening up with scents of toasted marshmallow, charred oak, and a sweet brown sugar/graham cracker taste. As you nose adjusts to the proof, you get some more sweet notes in the form of caramel, toffee, and hot cinnamon (22/25)
PALATE: The moment the whiskey touches your lips, it coats the inside of your mouth with a delicious spicy cinnamon mixed with sweet honey and an earthy wheat grain taste. As you continue to drink more wheated flavors such as vanilla and brown sugar start to form with a delightful undertone of oak. (33/40)
FINISH: Makers 46 has a very bold & hot finish, which is normal to expect when drinking barrel proof expressions. As the heat from the palate starts to fade, you are immediately faced with lingering flavors of oak, honey, brown sugar, and that hot cinnamon that was prevalent from start to finish! (22/25)
VALUE: For $60 this is a delicious barrel proof expression. Full of flavor & quick to warm you up. This is going to be one of my go to’s when the temperature starts to drop. (7/10)
Overall: 84/100
FINAL THOUGHTS: I was very pleased with this Makers expression. As I said earlier this year, 2021 has been a great year for the Beam Suntory’s limited releases, especially in the barrel proof department, I am very excited to see what follows!
Slightly Better Whiskey: Elijah Craig BP B520
Equal Whiskey: Traverse City Whiskey Barrel Proof
Slightly Worse Whiskey: Old Grand Dad 114
Scoring Legend:
96-100: The perfect dram, juice of the gods
90-95: Near perfect, truly incredible whiskey
85-89: Amazing whiskey, will always try to keep a backup bottle of this
80-84: Very good, some minor flaws here or there
75-79: Good, quite enjoyable to drink, Will try and keep a bottle on the shelf
70-74: Solid, wouldn’t go out of my way to get this
60-69: Decent, would offer this up to non whiskey drinkers
50-59: Not my cup of tea
Below 50: Give away
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