This new Maker’s is called ’46′, because they are using French Oak staves, No. 46 French Oak, to be exact for additional aging and flavoring. What happens is that the whiskey is taken out of the barrel, and one-inch charred staves are loosely attached to the inside of the barrel, at which time the whiskey is put back in for an additional five to eleven weeks. Pretty cool- and the result is an expression of Maker's that is richer with notes of caramel and vanilla on the palate and a seemingly unending finish.