Maker’s 46

The Samuels family has been making Bourbon since 1958 (longer than that if you count the years before Prohibition). Bill Samuels, Sr. first experimented with soft red winter wheat to create Maker’s Mark as we know it today. Not too long ago Master Distiller Kevin Smith began the lengthy “trial and error” period to create Maker’s 46. After a few failures and bad ideas Kevin finally got it right.

The key to Kevin’s success was not in making new bourbon; but in using the original Maker’s Mark as a base for the Maker’s 46. Kevin enlisted the help of barrel maker Brad Boswell and together they designed a barrel that could have 10 seared oak staves affixed inside the barrel. Searing the staves caramelizes the sugars in the wood, adding a unique flavor that finishes on the front of the tongue. This process also gives the bourbon a rich vanilla note and its name. The “46” comes from the process of taking fully matured Maker’s Mark, removing it from the barrel, inserting the 10 seared oak staves, and letting the bourbon age for a few more months. When the Maker’s 46 tastes exactly right, it is removed from the barrel, bottled, corked and dipped in the signature wax.

Maker’s 46 has a pleasant, sweet, toasty oak nose that is not overshadowed by alcohol. The taste is rich with seared oak flavors; caramel and vanilla on the up note, toasty on the down note. The nice oaky finished is lengthened by a hint of spice and is so smooth it will make you wonder if it really is 94 proof.

I have been a Maker’s Mark fan for many years and with the addition of Maker’s 46 I will be one for many more years. Come by Springhill for your bottle today. Below is a recipe for a Summer Breeze in case you would like to try your Maker’s 46 other than neat. All this drinking is making me thirsty…oops sorry John.

Thanks for reading,

David Waddle

Summer Breeze

1.5oz Maker’s 46

.5oz. Cointreau

Ginger Ale

Orange wedge

Fill a rocks glass with ice. Add Maker’s 46 and Cointreau and fill with ginger ale. Garnish with a orange wedge. Enjoy this drink on a hot summer day.