Maker's Mark No. 46 'Bill's Recipe' Bourbon Whiskey
Maker's Mark No. 46 'Bill's Recipe' is Maker's Mark's French-oak-finished bourbon — the distillery's wheated bourbon taken one step further. Fully matured Maker's Mark gets ten seared virgin French oak staves inserted into each barrel for nine more weeks in the limestone cellar, then bottles at 94 proof (47% ABV) in 750mL. It was the first new major expression created at the distillery since the original bourbon went into production in 1953. Order it online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 47% (94 proof) — 750mL
- Finishing: ten seared virgin French oak staves, nine weeks in the limestone cellar
- Mash bill: Maker's wheated recipe — soft red winter wheat instead of rye
- Origin: Maker's Mark Distillery, Loretto, Kentucky
- Heritage: created under the taste vision of Bill Samuels Jr.; 94 points, Wine Enthusiast
Bill's Recipe, the French-Oak Finish
Released in 2010, Maker's 46 was the first new major expression from Maker's Mark in over half a century — and the opening chapter of the distillery's wood-finishing series. Bill Samuels Jr., son of the founders, set the target: more of everything he loved about the original bourbon — caramel, vanilla, and oak — amplified by the ten French oak staves. The redesign added his "Bill's Recipe" signature to the label. See the rest of the Maker's Mark lineup or explore bourbon.
Tasting Notes
Sweet, toasty oak nose with caramel overtones; rich, creamy seared-oak flavors with caramel and vanilla up front; a big mouth-watering oaky finish — long, with a little spice and none of the bitter bite of older whiskies.
How to Enjoy
Neat or on a single large cube — the classic Bill Samuels Sr. way to judge it. The 94 proof also carries beautifully in an Old Fashioned or a wheated-bourbon Manhattan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Maker's Mark 46 different from regular Maker's Mark?
Maker's 46 starts as fully matured Maker's Mark, then finishes for nine weeks with ten seared virgin French oak staves added to each barrel — more oak, more caramel and vanilla, bottled at a higher 94 proof.
Is Maker's Mark 46 a wheated bourbon?
Yes — like the original, it uses soft red winter wheat in place of rye, so the profile runs sweet and soft rather than spicy.
What does "Bill's Recipe" mean?
The expression was created under the taste vision of Bill Samuels Jr., son of founders Bill and Margie Samuels; his signature appears on the label.
The French-oaked original — get Maker's Mark No. 46 delivered from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.