Maker's Mark 46

A household name whisky (note the spelling, despite being American they use ‘whisky’ not ‘whiskey’), but this one has a twist. All Maker’s is made with the same wheated mashbill (70% corn, 16% soft winter wheat and 14% malted barley) producing an approachable, ‘milder’ style of bourbon that many favour. From the 1950s until 2010 that was the whole story. Then Bill Samuels Jr. – son of founders Bill and Margie – created his own signature edition.

We still remember the excitement of getting hold of an imported bottle of 46, but it officially hit the UK in 2016. The start point is fully matured cask strength Maker’s Mark. They then fit 10 seared French oak staves (profile no. 46, hence the name) inside each barrel and mature it further in the cooler conditions of their innovative – for bourbon – limestone cellar. Bigger. Bolder. Still smooth. No rye? No problem.