Maker's Mark bourbon: what it is and where to buy it

Maker's Mark is a Kentucky bourbon made with wheat instead of rye as its secondary grain, which gives it a softer, rounder taste than many bourbons. CBC Liquors on Littleton Rd in Westford carries Maker's Mark bourbon, Maker's 46 and the Wood Finishing Series, and you can see every bottle on our Maker's Mark brand page.

What is Maker's Mark?

Maker's Mark is a straight bourbon whiskey made in Loretto, Kentucky. Like all bourbon, it is distilled from a grain mix that is at least 51 percent corn and aged in new, charred oak barrels. The red wax poured over the neck of every bottle is the part most people recognise on a shelf.

What sets it apart is the recipe. Most bourbons use rye as the second grain after corn, and rye adds spice and bite. Maker's Mark uses red winter wheat instead, along with malted barley. Wheated bourbon tends to taste gentler, with more caramel, vanilla and baked-bread notes and less peppery heat.

That is why it is a common first bourbon for people who have not yet decided whether they like the style, and also a bottle people who already know bourbon keep on the shelf. You can browse everything we carry from the maker on the Maker's Mark brand page.

Which Maker's Mark bottles does CBC Liquors carry?

We carry four Maker's Mark products at the Westford shop. The standard bottle is MAKERS MARK Bourbon, the one most people mean when they search the name.

Next up is MAKERS MARK Maker's Mark 46, a bottling that takes the same whisky and finishes it a little further with extra oak. Then there are two from the wood-finishing line: MAKERS MARK Wood Finishing Series and MAKERS MARK WOOD FINISHING SERIES: STEWARDS RELEASE.

If you are after a different bottle from the maker, ask at the counter. The brand page shows what is on our shelves today.

How does Maker's 46 differ from regular Maker's Mark?

Maker's 46 starts as the same bourbon as the standard bottle. Before bottling, it goes back into the barrel with seared French oak staves added, which are left to work on the whisky for a few more months. The extra wood pushes the flavour toward more vanilla, baking spice and a toasted, slightly sweet oak note.

It is also bottled at a higher strength. The standard Maker's Mark is 90 proof, or 45 percent alcohol by volume. Maker's 46 is 94 proof, or 47 percent. That small step up is part of why it tastes fuller and a bit richer on the finish.

If you like the standard bottle and want to try something a step deeper without moving to a different style, Maker's 46 is the obvious next bottle. If you are new to bourbon, start with the standard and move on from there.

What is the Wood Finishing Series?

The Wood Finishing Series is a line of Maker's Mark bottlings that explore what different wood does to the same base bourbon. Instead of a single fixed recipe, each release finishes the whisky with a particular combination of wood staves, so every one tastes a little different from the others and from the everyday bottle.

We carry two: MAKERS MARK Wood Finishing Series and the STEWARDS RELEASE. They suit someone who already knows what the standard bottle tastes like and wants to see how far wood alone can change it.

These are the bottles to buy for a bourbon-loving friend or for yourself when you want to taste something a bit out of the ordinary. Open the product pages for the details on each bottling.

How do you drink Maker's Mark?

Neat is the simplest way to find out what a bourbon tastes like. Pour a small measure into a glass, let it sit a minute, and sip slowly. Adding a few drops of water or one large ice cube opens up the sweeter notes and takes some of the edge off.

The softer wheat profile also makes it easy to mix. It works in an old fashioned, where a sugar cube, a couple of dashes of bitters and an orange peel let the caramel and vanilla come through. It also works in a whiskey sour, a mint julep, or simply with ginger ale or soda over ice.

For mixing, we stock mixers in the shop, so you can pick up bitters, soda or ginger beer when you collect your bottle. Whatever you make, keep pours measured and enjoy it at an easy pace.

What else should you try if you like Maker's Mark?

If the soft, sweet style of Maker's Mark is what you like, stay in the bourbon section and look for other wheated or mellow bottles. Our staff can point you to one that fits the way you drink it.

If you want to find out what bourbon tastes like with more spice, try a rye whiskey. Rye is the grain Maker's Mark leaves out, so tasting one beside a wheated bourbon shows you exactly what that choice does.

For a wider look at brown spirits, the full whiskey category covers bourbon, rye, Irish whiskey and Scotch in one place.

Can you pick up or get Maker's Mark delivered in Westford?

You can come in to the shop at 142 Littleton Rd, Westford, MA 01886. We are open Sunday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday to Thursday 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Pickup runs on the same hours.

We also offer delivery. Delivery hours are Sunday 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM, Monday to Thursday 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 9:30 PM. Check the delivery areas page to see where we go, including Chelmsford, Acton, Littleton and Lowell.

Shipping is available too, with the details on our shipping policy page. Delivery and pickup are for adults of legal drinking age with valid ID.

Why buy Maker's Mark from CBC Liquors?

We are a Westford liquor store with a 4.7 out of 5 rating on Google from 339 reviews. The shop carries 4,624 products from 1,893 brands, so you can pick up your Maker's Mark alongside everything else you need for the evening in one trip.

That means mixers for cocktails, beer and wine for guests, and other spirits if you want to compare. If you are planning a larger get-together, the party planner is a good place to start.

If you are not sure which bottle to choose, ask. Tell us how you plan to drink it, and we will tell you whether the standard bottle, Maker's 46 or one of the Wood Finishing Series bottles fits.