Maker’s Mark Launches Wood Finishing Series 2021 Limited Release: FAE-02

Maker’s Mark has 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, following spring’s FAE-01.

Maker’s Mark has never chill-filtered its whisky, allowing bourbon to retain character and depth of flavor by leaving naturally present fatty acid esters (FAEs) in the whisky.

Using the distillery’s wood stave-finishing technique, the 2021 Limited Releases FAE-01 and FAE-02 amplify characteristics that stem from that choice, the company says. Specifically these characteristics are dark, woody notes and a rich, full-bodied texture, respectively.

2021 Limited Release: FAE-02 used 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 bourbon that exhibits a luscious mouthfeel, the company says.

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 palate of light caramel and deep oak, the company says.

“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.”

Like all Wood Finishing Series offerings — including Maker’s Mark 46® and Maker’s Mark® Private Selection — FAE-02 was made 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 and liquid maturation.

Bottled at 109.1 proof, the Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series 2021 Limited Release: FAE-02 rolls out now in limited quantities to retailers across the country. The new bourbon retails for a suggested price of $59.99 per 750-ml. bottle.

FAE-02, along with FAE-01, will also be in the September shipment of The Whisky Drop, a new direct-to-consumer program from Maker’s Mark available in limited quantities in Kentucky and Washington D.C. Each season, eligible program subscribers age 21 and older receive a package containing two limited-edition bottles of Maker’s Mark.