Bourbon Creativity - 46

The long awaited release of Maker’s Mark 46 is upon us. We say long awaited because this is the first new product from the iconic Maker’s Mark brand and distillery ever and the creation of a new Bourbon at Maker’s Mark is one of the worst kept secrets ever!

Unlike the other commercial distillers in Kentucky, Maker’s Mark produced just one product and sold just one label. The original Maker’s Mark has earned generations of followers. It is distinctively soft and slightly sweet being made with red winter wheat giving it a unique flavor profile. Just as noteworthy is its trademark red wax top.

When I learned that Maker’s Mark was creating a new Bourbon I was cautiously skeptical while deeply curious. When Bill Samuels and Master Distiller Kevin Smith invited me down to Loretto, Kentucky to take a look and a sip of 46 I cheerfully accepted the invitation.

Samuels and Smith revealed the process in the creation of their new Bourbon, as well as the pressures of producing something that that would be faithful to the Maker’s Mark brand. As the distillery is relatively small and production is virtually non-stop to meet the demands of thirsty Maker’s devotees around the globe, creating a new recipe seemed impractical. Besides, the original Maker’s Mark recipe was many years in the making and frankly, the Maker’s team felt that recipe had already been perfected. Millions of Bourbon drinkers seem to agree.

With the recipe fully confirmed, Kevin turned to the barrel, Whiskey’s second most impactful flavor agent. Bourbon is so greatly influenced by wood, as it demands new, charred oak barrels by definition. Creating a new way to add a wood influence required some out of the box, or barrel if you will, thinking. Along with barrel maker Brad Boswell of Independent Stave, Kevin discovered a unique approach.

Boswell experimented with numerous ways of treating wood with age and heat to create different and pleasing flavors. This process eventually resulted in stave profile “46”.

Fully matured Maker’s Mark Bourbon is removed from its barrel. The barrel head is removed and the specially seared “46” staves, ten in sum, are inserted. The barrel head is re-secured and then the mature Bourbon is returned to the for an additional resting period of several months until the desired flavor is achieved. It’s a lot of hand labor but the result speaks for itself.

Maker’s Mark 46 is now available in select US markets and by year’s end it should be available from shore to shore. 46 will sell on the shelf for roughly ten dollars more than the original Maker’s Mark, which typically sells for $22 to $25 a bottle. As you see in the image, the famous red wax tops the package.