Maker’s Mark 46 Cask Strength Review

About – ““This limited release, previously only available in small quantities at our National Historic Landmark distillery, represents the purest expression of the bold taste that has made our original Wood Finishing Series Bourbon so beloved,” said Rob Samuels, Managing Director of Maker’s Mark in a letter to fans. “It’s as close as you can get to sampling Maker’s Mark 46 right out of the barrel in our limestone cellar.” This Limited Edition has been released to commemorate the 10 year anniversary of Maker’s 46. This is the first time that the cask strength offering has been available outside of the distillery. This batch is bottled at 109.6 Proof and retails for around $60.

Nose – Interestingly raisins are the first that I pick up followed by vanilla and cinnamon. There is a rich custard filling out the background giving it a bread pudding vibe.

Palate – Buttery as it hits the tongue. Light brown sugar, toasted vanilla, cinnamon that swoops in and out. The raisin from the nose shows up on the backend with toasted oak. Finish is cinnamon and toasted oak. A bit dry.

Score – B

Verdict – Another strong release from Maker’s Mark. Kudos to Maker’s Mark for branching out a little and giving people the cask strength releases they have been asking for. It is a really enjoyable release. What holds it back from being great is the biggest complaint with Maker’s….Age. The toasted oak comes through nicely, but it would really benefit from the addition of a little funk to round it out. It would really work wonders with this flavor profile. We will keep our fingers crossed for that, but in the meantime Maker’s Mark 46 Cask Strength is an enjoyable pour for the price. It is also one of the easier to find limited releases. Don’t hesitate to pick one up if you come across it.