A score of 99 out of 100 in a blind assessment of multiple different bourbons and American whiskeys. At the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2026, Maker’s Mark 46 took the crown in an incredibly dominant way, taking a Double Gold medal and an almost perfect score.
This isn’t an obscure single barrel release, it isn’t an allocated product, and it isn’t something being hunted down by serious drinkers and flippers alike. Is this one of the best examples of how affordable, readily available bottles can actually be among the best we can get our hands on?
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What Is Maker’s Mark 46?
I imagine most of you know already, but for those who don’t, Maker’s Mark 46 was the first new product released by the distillery in 52 years when it launched in 2010. Prior to that, there was just the standard release with its famous red wax top.
Maker’s Mark 46 is a wood stave-finished, higher-proof release. Bottled at 47% ABV, it is finished in barrels containing 10 fresh, seared French oak staves for additional wood contact and more flavor. These barrels are then aged in a limestone cellar that was blasted out of a hill on the Maker’s Mark distillery site. The whiskey spends an extra nine weeks there before being vatted together and bottled as the now-famous Maker’s Mark 46.
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Maker’s Mark 46 Tasting Notes
Well, I’ve had a lot of this over the years, so it’s a personal favorite and a regular house-pour bottle. The nose is all about toasted wheat, runny honey, freshly baked brioche, chocolate chip cookies, and melted butter. You do get some orange peel and peachy notes if it’s left in the glass for a while.
When it comes to the taste, we’re dealing with a full-bodied, rich bourbon with loads of fresh vanilla, dried coconut, chocolate chips, drying oak spice, and some candied ginger notes. The finish is long and rolling, with lots of Old Fashioned-adjacent notes of brown sugar, Angostura bitters, cherry syrup, and orange oil lingering on the tongue as the whiskey fades away. It really does taste excellent.
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READ THE STORYHow Much Does It Cost?
You can pick up Maker’s Mark 46 in the United States for about $40 a bottle. Over here in the UK, it’s about the same at £40 a bottle, or just under depending on whether it’s on sale. So this isn’t an expensive bottle in any way, and when compared with the pricing of bottles like Weller and Van Winkle, it’s a no-brainer.
That said, Weller prices are coming down, and it is becoming more widely available in the UK.
Does It Deserve A Score Of 99?
This is such a personal thing. I think it’s a great bottle of bourbon, and I’ve always been a fan of Maker’s Mark. Given the clear adoration for this bottle, the judges obviously believed it was worthy of a score as close to perfect as possible.
Personally, I really like this bottle. I’ve bought a lot of it, and it’s something I always include in bourbon tastings. Would I give it a 99? No, but it would still score quite highly for me.
Overall, though, you should look at this as proof that just because something isn’t rare or super sought after, that doesn’t mean it isn’t deserving of the highest praise.
Who Should Buy It?
Anyone! If you’ve been a fan of the regular Maker’s Mark release, then this is a solid next step up. If you’re not that into bourbon and want to find something that might flick the switch, this is a really good way to get into it.
Wheated bourbon is typically not as divisive as rye-influenced bourbon and tends to have those sweeter edges to it. With the additional oak influence, Maker’s Mark 46 can have the feel of an older whiskey, too.
If you’re also looking for an award-winning whiskey that isn’t expensive, hard to find, or available only for a limited time, then this is one of the best places to put your money.
So, Is Maker’s Mark 46 Really That Good?
Yes, it is very good. You can personally disagree with the final score, as that will always be subjective. However, if this is the way we get more people interested in affordable, interesting, and flavorful bottles, then so be it.
When really old or really expensive bottles win the biggest awards, things can get crazy. People buy up the stock simply to resell it and make money, and supply and demand takes over.
For an everyday bottle of bourbon to win such a big award with such high praise, though, I see this as a potential turning point for regular bottles that deliver on every front to start getting the recognition they deserve.
