Maker's 46 bourbon was first released in 2010 and was the first release of what would become to be known as Maker's Wood Finishing Series. In 2020, on its 10th anniversary, Maker's 46 Cask Strength was released and that has since become an annual release. So what is the 2023 version like?
Nose: Vanilla, toffee, sweet cherry candy, light oak; moderate alcohol
👉🏻Taste: Sweet cherry candy, a bit of barrel char; toffee, brown sugar, oak, hint of milk chocolate
👉🏻Finish: White pepper spice, tangy cherry, tannins, barrel char and oak; long finish; moderate burn
The flavors really change quite a bit over the sip. The nose is like a rich Tootsie Roll with some cherry candy mixed in. Those flavors continue into the taste and transition to becoming spicier and tangier with noticeable char and tannins in the finish. Those seared French Oak staves contribute to many of these flavors. For me, the end result is just about perfect. This is a full, rich bourbon that I can easily sip on for hours.