Maker's Mark 46
Loretto, Kentucky
Standard Maker's Mark returned to the barrel with ten seared French oak staves, then bottled at 94 proof against the standard 90. The staves are from the Vosges region and the "46" is the stave profile number. Finishing time is reported inconsistently, so none is stated here.
- Barrel entry proof
- 110
- Aging
- Maker's Mark finished with ten seared French oak staves
- Mashbill
- Corn 70%Wheat 16%Malted barley 14%
- Grains
- corn, wheat, malted barley
- Congeners
- High
- Histamines
- Moderate
- Polyphenols
- High
- Sulfites
- Very Low
- Tannins
- High
- Sugar
- Very Low
- Additives
- Very Low
- Calories
- 115
- Sugar
- 0g
16.5g ethanol at 47% ABV. No sugar, so every calorie here is alcohol.
In its favor
- ✓Wheated mash = gentler grain profile
- ✓No additives permitted in bourbon
What to watch
- !Extra oak contact on top of the standard barrel time
- !Higher proof than regular Maker's Mark
- !Barley in mash = gluten
Factor by factor
Congeners High ▾
Byproducts of fermentation (methanol, acetaldehyde, fusel alcohols). Strongly linked to hangover severity; darker, less-distilled spirits carry more.
Histamines Moderate ▾
Produced by bacteria during fermentation/aging. Trigger flushing, headaches, congestion in sensitive drinkers. High in red wine, beer, aged spirits.
Polyphenols High ▾
Plant compounds with antioxidant activity. Slightly protective at low doses but at high concentrations may worsen hangover via tannin/quercetin reactions.
Sulfites Very Low ▾
Preservatives (SO₂) added to wine and some beers. Common trigger of headaches, asthma, and allergic-type reactions.
Tannins High ▾
Astringent polyphenols from skins, seeds, barrels. Bind proteins, slow alcohol clearance, and aggravate dehydration-style symptoms.
Sugar Very Low ▾
Residual sugar amplifies hangover via blood-sugar swings and dehydration. Liqueurs and cocktails are the main offenders.
Additives Very Low ▾
Colorants, flavorings, glycerin, propylene glycol, sorbates. Cheap spirits and ready-to-drinks often hide these in trade-secret formulas.
Maker’s Mark 46 starts as ordinary Maker’s Mark and adds a second round of oak, seared French staves inside the barrel. It is the clearest case on this site of a variable that does not come from the grain: the recipe is identical, and the extra wood and 47% strength move it a point heavier.
Maker's Mark 46 questions
How many calories are in a shot of Maker's Mark 46? ▾
About 115 calories in a 1.5oz shot at 47% ABV. All of them come from the alcohol, since there is no sugar.
Does Maker's Mark 46 have sugar? ▾
No. Maker's Mark 46 has 0g of sugar per 1.5oz serving.
Is Maker's Mark 46 gluten-free? ▾
Not by label. Maker's Mark 46 is distilled from wheat and barley, so US rules bar it from claiming gluten-free. Distillation does remove the gluten protein, and the Celiac Disease Foundation considers distilled spirits safe for most coeliacs. If you would rather avoid the question, pick a spirit distilled from corn, potato, grape or agave.
What is Maker's Mark 46 made from? ▾
Maker's Mark 46 is made from corn, wheat, malted barley, with a mashbill of 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley.
What proof is Maker's Mark 46? ▾
Maker's Mark 46 is 94 proof, which is 47% alcohol by volume.
Does Maker's Mark 46 give you a bad hangover? ▾
Maker's Mark 46 scores 7/10 on the SpiritFacts Hangover Index, against 7/10 for bourbon overall. The main drivers are its congeners, polyphenols and tannins.
Is Maker's Mark 46 vegan? ▾
Yes. Maker's Mark 46 is listed as vegan, with no animal-derived ingredients or fining agents.