Maker’s Mark recently debuted the latest entry in its Wood Finishing Series, Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series 2021 Limited Release: FAE-02.
The distillery’s newest stave-finished bourbon is the second of a complementary pair of 2021 limited edition releases and was crafted as a texturally rich, softer complement to spring’s FAE-01.
A statement from Maker’s Mark explained that every whiskey in the distillery’s Wood Finishing Series tells a story about the way Maker’s Mark has been crafted since its inception.
“Maker’s Mark has never chill-filtered its whisky, a decision that allows the classic bourbon to retain its signature character and depth of flavor by leaving naturally present fatty acid esters (FAEs) in the whisky,” the distiller states. “Using the distillery’s pioneering wood stave-finishing technique, the 2021 limited releases FAE-01 and FAE-02 celebrate and amplify characteristics that stem from that choice – namely dark, woody notes and a rich, full-bodied texture, respectively.”
The 2021 Limited Release: FAE-02 is produced using double-heat-treated virgin French Oak barrel staves that undergo an infrared exposure prior to a flame toast finish.
The distiller’s tasting notes show the process yields a Maker’s Mark bourbon that exhibits a distinctly luscious mouthfeel. Unlike FAE-01, which used American Oak staves to amplify notes of dark leathery tobacco and barrel-aged fruit, FAE-02 is characterized by a gentler, mouth coating palate of light caramel and deep oak.
“Our first 2021 release was crafted to hit you in the face with big, bold aroma and flavor, just like standing in a barrel warehouse – wood, tobacco and spicy dried fruit,” said Jane Bowie, Director of Innovation at Maker’s Mark. “With FAE-02, we wanted to explore the softer side of our 2021 taste vision by placing more of the focus on rich, consistent texture and tone that stems from fatty acid esters. Just like the things we find so comforting about artisanal butters, olive oils and creamy spreads, FAE-02 delivers a fattier, full-bodied, mature Maker’s Mark bourbon that makes for an ideal sip on a fall evening.”
Like all Wood Finishing Series offerings – including Maker’s Mark 46 and Maker’s Mark Private Selection – FAE 02 was crafted by finishing fully-matured, cask strength Maker’s Mark in secondary barrels fitted with the proprietary wood staves.
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The barrels are stored in Maker’s Mark’s limestone cellar for additional aging, where the cask strength bourbon interacts with the wood staves to develop the expression’s unique taste profile.
Bottled at 109.1-proof, the Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series 2021 Limited Release: FAE-02 is out now in limited quantities at retailers across the country.
The new bourbon retails for a suggested price of $59.99. FAE-02, along with FAE-01, is also be included in the September shipment of The Whisky Drop, a new direct-to-consumer program from Maker’s Mark. Each season, program subscribers in limited markets will receive a package containing two hand-selected, limited bottles of Maker’s Mark, delivered to their doorstep.
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