We’ve not actually covered Maker’s Mark here so in typical HBR fashioned let’s review a special version of it first and review the regular spirit many years later as an afterthought. This Maker’s was actually bought as a gift until said person made a comment about hating American whiskey over scotch (and Japanese) so we ran an audible and bought a scotch instead – and enjoyed this ourselves.
For us, Maker’s has always represented the whiskey with wax on the seal, the budget version of whiskey you get at any bar for an old fashioned (that’s not a good whiskey bar), and a subpar whiskey. This is a unique version though running a bit hotter in proof, but so much more in taste.
What they Say: “Interested in learning how the unique taste of Maker’s 46 was achieved? Contact me at b.samuels@makersmark.com”
Taste: 4.0 – There’s an initial tiny bit of sweetness, but despite being only slightly overproof it’s very noticeable. The heat starts here and isn’t great.
Aftertaste: 3.5 – It carries on and it keeps coming in waves, none of which are terribly pleasant.
Burn/Smooth: 2.5 – This is not a smooth dram by any measure, and while it’s not on par with something like Bacardi 151 to even need to compare is suspect enough.
Aroma: 5.0 – It’s an okay Kentucky bourbon smell, it’s a little hot smelling. The wood and smoke is light though and needs a bunch to enjoy.
Honesty: 6.5 – We gotta say it’s unique to have us want to email them for something, and barring nothing else it’s hard to say they wank, at least not unless you’d consent and actually contact them. The bottle is nice, and the wax seal from Maker’s is always a nice touch.
Mixability: 6.0
W/ Rocks: 4.0 – It makes it sweeter, but it’s still not an enjoyable drink.
Whiskey and Coke: 7.0 – It does make a delicious whiskey and coke, and that small bit of ‘heat’ you get actually works out well here.
Old Fashioned: 7.0 – When you go to a bar and ask for an old fashioned you often get the regular Maker’s and it’s not great. This, however, is what you want. Sure there’s better, but this is pretty good.
Value: 4.5 – While this is fine for a decent cocktail, it’s not a terribly great whiskey overall. At best this is at cost or worse.
Google Shop Average: $42
Website: https://www.makersmark.com/
Reviewer Scores:
BuffaloJern: 4.5
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Metric Score: 32/70 |+| Metric Average: 4.57 |+| Reviewer Average: 4.5
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Final Thoughts: Overall this whiskey has its uses, and if in a bar when they ask ‘Is Maker’s okay?” ask if they have the 46 instead. Sure a George Dickel or many other whiskies would be better options, but then you don’t know what they will have. For us though – this is something we’ll never get again, so a subpar score is accurate.
