Maker's Mark – 46 Cask Strength Bourbon (75cl, 55.1%)

Maker's Mark 46 Cask Strength is a Kentucky straight bourbon from the Maker's Mark distillery in Loretto, bottled undiluted at 110.3 proof (55.15%) in a 75cl bottle. The strength is batch specific and is printed by hand on the front label. It is made from a wheated mash of corn, soft red winter wheat and malted barley. Fully matured Maker's Mark is moved into a second barrel fitted with ten seared French oak staves, and the name comes from stave profile number 46. It was devised by Bill Samuels Jr. to add vanilla, caramel and length without extra bitterness. The nose is caramel, vanilla and toasted oak with baked stone fruit, brown sugar and baking spice. The palate is thick, with dark caramel, vanilla custard, dried fruit and cinnamon over seared oak. The finish is long and warming, with toffee, spice and wood.