Maker’s Mark has unveiled 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.
Maker’s Mark 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 process yields a Maker’s Mark whiskey 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, mouthcoating 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,” says 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.”
FAE-02 was crafted by finishing fully-matured, cask strength Maker’s Mark in secondary barrels fitted with the proprietary wood staves. 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 rolling out now in limited quantities to retailers across the country. The new bourbon will retail for $59.99.
For more information, head over to the distillery’s official website.
In May, Black Bourbon Society (BBS) and Maker’s Mark announced the launch of Black Bourbon Society’s Maker’s Mark Private Selection: Recipe 2. The new offering is the sequel to the 2019 award-winning Private Selection.
