Review #: 389
Description: Maker’s Mark Finishing Series FAE-02
Spirit: Bourbon
Background: Following up on FAE-01, Maker’s Released a second edition in 2021 with FAE-02. It also used a finishing process of 10 Virgin Toasted American Oak staves, but they say that is more full bodied while the previous version noted fruit and tobacco. No idea if there was a different finishing time or the base bourbon had a different age, so let’s just see if it tastes any different.
Distillery – Maker’s Mark
Bottler – Maker’s Mark
Brand – Maker’s Mark
Selection – N/A
ABV – 54.55%
Age – NAS
Nose – Orange oil, chocolate covered cherries, crusty bread, toasted marshmallow, gingerbread, apple
Taste – Fudge, caramel, orange, vanilla buttercream frosting, maple syrup, sweet apple
Finish – Toasted oak and spices come in but nowhere near as aggressive as FAE-01, toasted marshmallow, molasses, dates.
Score: 8
Would I buy a bottle? Already got a backup
Thoughts: It’s cool to try these back to back. The similarities are there between the two releases, yet they are pretty distinctly different. This had such a rich and creamy taste to it, with sweetness balanced with the oak. The finish is the real difference maker in 02 being a bit more complex and way more controlled with the heat. This bottle has been the one most often I have been craving so it was a no brainer to grab a second one.