Maker’s Mark to launch new bourbon

20 May, 2010

Kentucky distillery Maker’s Mark is to unveil a new bourbon.

Maker’s 46 – the first-ever new bourbon from the distillery, save for the limited-edition (and now highly rare) Maker’s Mark Select – differs from the regular Maker’s Mark in that it is finished in a barrel containing 10 ‘seared’ French oak staves, for about three months. It will also be bottled at 47% abv (94% proof), compared with the regular’s 45% abv (90% proof).

The staves, sourced from the Vosges area of eastern France, are aged for 18 months, then seared – a gentler process than full charring. Maker’s 46 takes its name from the Missouri-based Independent Stave Company, where the staves are sourced: 46 refers to the number that the firm gave to the staves, which are exclusive to Maker’s Mark.

Master distiller Kevin Smith said: "This is new. We’ve had some variations in proof before, but it’s always essentially been the same liquid. Maker’s 46 is very forward and spicy, with an almost-cinnamon nose. It’ll be all over the US from July. We like to do something new about every 50 years, and shake things up a bit!"

He added that if successful, Maker’s 46 will be available in duty-free outlets globally, and then in key export markets, including the UK. Maker’s 46 will retail in the US for $33, $10 more than the regular Maker’s. Smith also revealed that the Maker’s Mark distillery had just begun an expansion – its third, following the second in 2002 – which when complete, in 2012–2013, will treble the distillery’s original capacity.





Digital Edition

Drinks International digital edition is available ahead of the printed magazine. Don’t miss out, make sure you subscribe today to access the digital edition and all archived editions of Drinks International as part of your subscription.

Comment

La'Mel Clarke

Service isn’t servitude: the skill of hosting

La’Mel Clarke, front of house at London’s Seed Library, looks at the forgotten art of hosting and why it deserves the same respect as bartending.

Instagram

Facebook