BOTM 7/11: Maker's 46

[fishnbowljoe]

Even though Maker's 46 has been talked about at length here, that talk seems to have waned a bit. It seems like a good time to have it as the BOTM.

My own thoughts:

To me, it's slightly better than regular Maker's Mark. The additional aging with toasted French oak staves has added a little more flavor. I call it a bit of "oak and smoke". The extra 4 proof may or may not add a little summin' too. I haven't had this one in a while, but from what I remember, the initial taste was good, but then...... Where's the rest? :skep: I think I echo a few people's sentiments here. It lacks a good finish. The finish leaves something to one's desire or imagination. All in all a fair bourbon. Good, but not overly impressive IMHO.

There you go. Whadaya' all have to say about Maker's 46? Cheers! Joe

[cbus]

I find it spicier and generally having more character than regular Maker's Mark. It isn't my favorite bourbon, but I find it enjoyable.

[mosugoji64]

I think this one will make a great Thanksgiving pour. I get a buttery cinnamon flavor that would be perfect for the holidays. Plus, it might be easier to justify the price for a holiday gathering. I like it, but it's a bit too expensive.

[harshest]

How fitting for this months BOTH...

July 1' date=' 2011 will mark one year since Maker's 46 - our 2nd big idea - hit the shelves...[/quote']

As for tasting notes, I don't have any, since $35 for modified Makers Mark, is a little steep for me.

[mrviognier]

Is it better than the 'regular' MM? Absolutely. That said, it's all relative...and I find it lacking. While I'll always have a bottle on my bar, it's not one I find myself going to.

For those who consider MM the ultimate Bourbon pour might find MM 46 a the 'gateway' towards fuller, more flavorful Bourbons.

[White Dog]

I've always felt that the good feelings towards 46 are heightened by the fact that MM is so dull. It can't help but come off in a better light.

I agree with Joe. It's just fair, but that's in keeping with the overall quality of all Beam products, outside of 114.

By the way, LOVE the new avatar, Joe. Best on SB.

[bgageus]

I tasted this and did notice a Cognac like flavor added in which makes sense with the staves. Too bad Im not a huge fan of Cognac. I have had a bottle on my bar untouched except for 2 pours for about 3 months or so. I will have to revisit and see if I get that flavor again.

[ebo]

I'm not a big fan of regular MM, but I have to say that I really like the 46. For some reason, it reminds me of MaCallan 12.

My only real gripe with it is that it should be 100 proof.

[T Comp]

I suggest some true blind tasting comparisons against other wheaters and you might be pleasantly surprised. In doing this I preferred it over Very Special Old Fitzgerald from the Heritage Collection, current Special Reserve and a generic Weller 12. It was bested by Van Winkle Lot B and Binny's Weller 12 but I also just prefer the stronger vanilla and caramel in those over the hot cinnamon of MM 46. This red hots candy taste, that comes on in the end and lingers too long, is the reason I have only purchased one bottle but I may get another soon.

[BourbonJoe]

We just did it today.....against Weller SR 7 y/o. The Weller beat the pants off the 46.

Joe :usflag:

[Bourbon Boiler]

A few drops of water opened up the cinnamon for me. I had trouble distinguishing it from regular, boring Makers neat.

[T Comp]

We just did it today.....against Weller SR 7 y/o. The Weller beat the pants off the 46.

Joe :usflag:

Not according to Ron and Brad. They must just have better taste, like me .

[RyanL]

Meh, I mean it's pretty good. Definitely better than regular MM but for $35/bottle I haven't bought another as there is a long list of better bottles at that price range and cheaper.

[G.H.Adams]

I like it as I do other wheaters. I like the cinnamon finish but for the price there other bourbons I like better such as Old Fitz BIB and Weller. I don't have much of an ability to sort out different flavors as others do. For me if I like the taste, it's good enough for me.

[jburlowski]

It's better than the regular MM... for what that's worth.

I wonder how this is selling now that the hoopla of the original roll-out is over?

I asked a couple of local bartenders ---- they said that it's languishing on the back bar, seldom requested.

[Roadsaw]

I agree with others here, it is better than the regular MM but nothing really special.

[nor02lei]

I agree with others here, it is better than the regular MM but nothing really special.

That exactly how I feel about it as well.

Leif

[Bourbon Boiler]

It's better than the regular MM... for what that's worth.

I wonder how this is selling now that the hoopla of the original roll-out is over?

I asked a couple of local bartenders ---- they said that it's languishing on the back bar, seldom requested.

[mrviognier]

According to Bill Newlands, the target market for MM46 is - wait for it - the MM drinker.

Recognizing the growth of small batch and single barrels, the folks at Beam became concerned that the MM drinker interested in exploring these Bourbons had nowhere else to go...except away from the MM brand. MM46 provides them a chance to taste something new while keeping the consumer as part of Beam's revenue stream.

[Bourbon Boiler]

According to Bill Newlands, the target market for MM46 is - wait for it - the MM drinker.

Recognizing the growth of small batch and single barrels, the folks at Beam became concerned that the MM drinker interested in exploring these Bourbons had nowhere else to go...except away from the MM brand. MM46 provides them a chance to taste something new while keeping the consumer as part of Beam's revenue stream.

[tmckenzie]

I found it to be a lot better than regular Makers. I wonder if the whiskey benefits more from the oxidation it gets from moving out of the barrel and back, than it does from the staves put in the barrel. I myself cannot see why all of the big distilleries do not go back to making whiskey the way it tasted years ago. In my opinion, mm is not nearly as good as it was 15 years ago.

[craigthom]

I suppose there's some logic behind that, and the marketing folks at Beam obviously know more and have better information than I do. I just picture the MM drinker as being someone who doesn't branch out very far.

Why should they? They are already drinking the best possible bourbon in the world. Why would they want to drink anything else?

[cigarnv]

IMO...Better than regular MM..... but that really does not say much. Pretty poor value at a $36 price point...again IMO...

[Chuckles]

I got my first bottle of 46 on sale for $30 and opened it just last month. I'm pretty much running with the pack here. Better than MM and decent enough but not as tasty as other wheaters in the price range, even @$30.

[OscarV]

When did M46 (not MM46) come out?

I got two bottles when it did and this thread reminded me that I still have one.

So I opened it up today and am sipping on some neat, yes that's right, I have been typing one handed for ages now.

From what I remembered from the first bottle this one seems subdude.

I remember the first bottle being bold and full of oak and red hot cinnamon with a heavy tannin finish.

This bottle is a wimp of those descriptions.

So, is it me or the bottle or was I on the M46 bandwagon when it debuted?