What a difference a measure of additional aging in a different barrel type can make! Maker's 46 is basically Maker's Mark, with an additional resting period in barrels made in part of seared French oak staves. The idea, or so I read on the interwebs, is that the seared (rather than charred) wood imparts more sweet flavor to this bourbon. In this case, I don't think that's just marketing hype. The nose is dramatically better than its younger brother, with a wallop of cherries and bright, sweet flavors that I associate with those twist-off cap juices that I'd drink as a kid after little league games. This bourbon feels like 1980s-1990s Americana. The palate comes closer to traditional bourbon flavors, with a little spice from that oak mingling with and balancing out the strong cherry presence. Unlike the hot finish of Maker's Mark, Maker's 46 has a longer but milder finish, and again cherries and maple syrup were the primary notes I detected. It's also reasonably priced at around $40, and well worth the step up from the $30 it'll cost to pick up a bottle of Maker's Mark.