Maker's Mark 46® is the recipe of Bill Samuels Jr., son of founders Bill and Margie, and the first new major expression since classic Maker's® was released in 1958. Maker's 46® is aged longer with special seared French oak staves. With subtly layered bourbon notes and balanced complexity.

From the Maker's Mark website: The innovative wood-stave-finishing process starts with fully matured Maker's Mark® at cask strength. We then insert 10 seared virgin French oak staves into the barrel and finish it for nine weeks in our limestone cellar.

Maker's 46 gets it's name from the profile number of the seared French oak staves that are added during the extra aging. The profile number corresponds to the charring rate and temperature development in the staves which can bring out different flavors and characteristics in the wood.

However, that is money well spent in my book. If you're going to only mix drinks, by all means, get the regular version. But if you want the best flavor for a session of sipping, Maker's 46 is a great place to begin.

Maker's Mark 46 fully embraces its use of French oak staves with decadent charred French oak and cinnamon raisin toast mingling with classic scents of vanilla, brown sugar, and light caramel. A slight hint of crème brûlée adds an extra dollop of rich sweetness.

All of the classic bourbon flavors are present, including strong hints of caramel, toasted oak, and vanilla, along with buttery toffee and a touch of fresh toasted cinnamon bread. Really pleasant with a nice amount of depth to enjoy.

French Oaked and full proof bourbon whisky. This limited-edition bourbon is Maker's 46 turned up to Cask Strength. Not your typical barrel-proof bourbon, Maker's 46 Cask Strength boasts exceptional smoothness thanks to their use of soft red winter wheat in the mash bill.

After over a decade in its original packaging, the new bottle better aligns with the visual identity comprising the full Maker's Mark suite and better clarifies what makes the Maker's 46 liquid special – French oak – while making clear to consumers that the liquid they love has not changed by so much as a drop.

Certainly not a beginner's bourbon, Maker's Mark® Cask Strength is for the enthusiast who's after bolder flavors and higher proofs. After being screen filtered to remove wood pieces and char, Maker's Mark® Cask Strength goes straight to the bottle at a range of 108 to 114 proof. This wouldn't work with just any whisky.

However, when you put the Maker's 46 next to it, you can immediately taste what the extra time in the wood did to the whiskey. The Maker's 46 is creamier and more decadent with bolder cherry and toasted oak notes, more spices with added complexity and an oilier mouthfeel. The complexity continues on the finish.

Never bitter or sharp, Maker's Mark® is made with soft red winter wheat instead of the usual rye, for a one-of-a-kind, full-flavored bourbon that's smooth and balanced. Bill found his ideal mash bill in the kitchen, cleverly testing mash bills through bread in order to quickly test recipes without distilling and aging.

Another great option for beginners is Maker's Mark. This Kentucky bourbon is known for its sweet and smooth taste, with notes of caramel and vanilla. Maker's Mark is aged for six years, giving it a subtle complexity that is sure to please the palate.