I didn't give Makers 46 Cask Strength a fair assessment prior and now with both this limited bottling quickly heading to extinction AND the old formula 46 being phased out, how could I refuse the opportunity to buy a bottle of Maker's 46 Cask Strength for a good, thorough taste? Likely stemming from the potent 110 proof bottling, gone is the overly sweet nose of standard 46 and with it comes a pretty noticeable wallop of ethanol. However, if you smell past the proof you still get familiar vanilla and maple. There's a bit of herbaceous spice on the nose, too that isn't present in 46. The beginning of the taste is decadent and sweet, absolutely bringing back the sweetness of 46. Caramel swirls with milk chocolate on the front of the taste and then out of left field, some spicy cinnamon prickles you mid tongue. Weird... is this from the increased proof? The finish is dry and oddly reminds me of a high rye bourbon. A warm, familiar mustiness finishes us off, like an old leather jacket. More complex and hotter than 46, but between this, the new bottling and the old bottling of 46... I think I'd rather the old bottling 46. BUT if your goal is to get trashed with as few sips as possible, the 110 proof potency of this bottling will surely get you there.