Maker's Mark 46 French Oaked

This is an incredibly solid bourbon for the price. Especially on sale. This was on flash sale last week for $33.99, and if you can get it for that pick it up. I bought my first bottle of Maker's 46 in the same circumstances right before the shit really hit the fan, on another flash sale, leap year day, February 29th, 2020. I cracked it during a Zoom call a month later with old friends, and I thought it was good. But now, two years later, around the same time, I'm actually sitting down, sniffing and tasting, formulating my thoughts. Disclosure ahead of time: I love Maker's, probably my favorite brand of bourbon for its quality, availability, and the fairness of price for what you get. So what do you get? This 46 is unusual among bourbon in that it's savory forward rather than sweet on the nose. The initial aromas are spices, not so much like a wheated bourbon, but almost like a rye. I get cinnamon and all spice along with tobacco with hints of vanilla and butterscotch in the background. For as much as I made fun of Maker's for marketing FAE 02 based on mouthfeel, when this hits the tongue, it's nice and rich and buttery. The palate is sweeter than the aroma, though there's a nice bit of spiciness on the palate as well, pepper and cinnamon, but then vanilla and dried cherry. I also feel like I'm getting traces of mint on the sides of my tongue as it moves along. It's definitely one to let sit in the glass and develop. The finish mingles all of these for a wonderful experience altogether. Just a note on finishing here: I've had the Cask Strength version of 46 recently, and the 94 proof standard is yards better. The CS version is good with a bit of water to even it out, but for some reason, this is one of those whiskies where I think the distiller has found the sweet spot in the proof and is selling it for a reasonable price at that point. It's tough because at regular price, $39.99, this is equal to standard Maker's Cask Strength, so it's a toss up in my mind as to which you should buy. I'd likely reach for the standard Maker's Cask Strength. But this isn't bad either. I don't think you'd lose out by closing your eyes and taking whatever ends up in your hand, unless of course, with your eyes closed you knock it off the shelf and have to pay for a bottle you can't drink. So, scratch that. Don't make the choice with your eyes closed. Follow your gut. Oh, and a final note: I got the old bottle. I haven't seen the bottle with the manila folder label that's in the picture as I write this yet, but it's a poor move changing the branding, as the 46 has the best bottle design in the Maker's stable. PS. Ten minutes after writing the review above, still sipping on the glass, it astounds me I didn't comment on the oak tones here. It's the oakiest of the Maker's lineup, obviously taking its name from the French Oak staves they use in creating the profile, so yes, perhaps it was so obvious it goes without saying, perhaps I was just so focused on the other flavors I didn't think to comment on it.

Noticeably smoother than the standard MM. Less of the vanilla and baked apple for me, and more firm oak character, but with a mellow smoothness straight through to the finish.

Not bad not great

Toffee, vanilla, cinnamon, carmel… a very enjoyable bourbon for the price.

You can look at my previous review of this if you want tasting notes. Suffice it to say, I really like it. The bourbon inside is a solid 4.25. This new bottle/label, however is a 1. This may even be worse than Kentucky Spirit moving away from the "fantail" bottle. I'm hoping that this is a result of supply chain issues and that we will soon see the old 46 bottle return.