How is Maker's Mark 46 different from classic Maker's Mark?

It starts from the same wheated recipe but is aged longer with seared French oak staves in the barrel. That adds toasted oak, vanilla and baking spice and lifts it to 94 proof, giving more depth and a longer finish.

Is Maker's Mark 46 good for sipping neat?

Yes. It is soft and velvety for 94 proof, and most drinkers take it neat or with a splash of water. The oak spice is more forward than the standard bottle.

What does Maker's Mark 46 taste like?

Expect toasted French oak, caramel and baking spice on the nose, a mildly sweet palate with vanilla and baking spice, and a long, smooth finish.

Is it a wheated bourbon?

Yes. Like all Maker's Mark, it uses wheat instead of rye as the secondary grain, which keeps the spice soft and the texture round.

How should I store and serve it?

Keep the bottle upright, sealed and out of direct sunlight. Serve neat, over a large ice cube or in an Old Fashioned.

Is Maker's Mark 46 worth it over the standard bottle?

If you want more oak, spice and body from a wheated bourbon, the stave finishing delivers that. If you prefer the lighter sweetness of classic Maker's, the flagship may suit you better.