Maker's Mark Series Limited Release FAE

Overview
Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series 2021: FAE-01 is a limited-edition wheated bourbon from the distillery's innovative Wood Finishing Series, designed to intensify non-chill filtered qualities like heavy oakiness and fruity esters through custom stave finishing. This third release in the series captures the sensory profile of a Kentucky rickhouse, blending bold wood influence with the brand's signature wheated softness.

Specs at a glance

Good to know
The bourbon starts as standard Maker's Mark wheated stock, then finishes with ten American oak staves—seared on one side and raw on the other—in a process akin to Maker's 46. These FAE-01 staves target fatty acid esters to enhance fruity tones and texture from barrel char. Non-chill filtration preserves its bold, creamy mouthfeel and warehouse-like intensity.

Tasting notes

• Nose: Prominent toffee and oak lead, accented by dank wood and tobacco for a deeply aromatic, rickhouse-inspired depth.
• Palate: Bold spice integrates with rich toffee, delivering oaky intensity and subtle fruity esters from the stave finishing.
• Finish: Lingering oak and earthiness echo the warehouse character, with a creamy, textured close.

Notable details

• Production: Finished in barrels with 10 custom American oak staves (seared one side, raw other); non-chill filtered.
• Lineage: Part of Maker's Mark's Wood Finishing Series, building on wheated bourbon traditions from Loretto, Kentucky.
• Comparison: Echoes Maker's 46 process but emphasizes fruitier, oak-dominant profile over balance.
• Availability: Limited 2021 Spring release, now sought after by collectors.

"The FAE-01 release successfully captures the sensory experience of a Kentucky barrel warehouse through its intense, oaky, and fruity profile." – Bourbon Guy

Closing
A wood-forward exploration of wheated bourbon's potential, ideal for those seeking bold, experimental oak influence.

Sources

[1] Bourbonguy – "Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series 2021: FAE-01"

[2] Whiskeyinmyweddingring – "Maker’s Mark FAE-01"

[3] Thewhiskeywash – "Maker's Mark 2021 Limited Release FAE-01: Complete Whiskey Review"

[4] Columbusbourbon – "Maker's Mark Announces Wood Finishing Series 2021 Limited Release: FAE-01"

[5] Drinkhacker – "Review: Maker’s Mark FAE-01 2021 Limited Release"

[6] The-Right-Spirit – "Maker’s Mark 2021 Limited Release FAE-01 – The Right Spirit"

[7] Breakingbourbon – "Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series 2021 Limited Release: FAE-01 Review | Breaking Bourbon"