Taste: Smooth and wheaty. The oak taste is in the front. If you like wheat bourbons and you like oakey bourbons, this is for you. Aftertaste - where a lot of bourbons have the alcohol up front, this one it rolls in at the end with a lingering oakey finish. This is where it 46 shines over regular Makers. After a bit of water: some spiciness opens up after some water tames the wheat and oak. Re purchase as MSRP? - yes. This is a staple on my shelf. At $32, it hits well above its price.