Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series 2021 Limited Release: FAE-01
Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series 2021 Limited Release: FAE-01 is a cask-strength bourbon bottled between 110.3 and 110.6 proof — the third release in Maker's Mark's Wood Finishing Series, following 2019's RC6 and 2020's SE4xPR5. Fully matured Maker's Mark cask-strength bourbon is finished with 10 virgin toasted American oak staves that were infrared-seared on one side and left completely raw on the other — the first time Maker's ever used a raw-wood stave. FAE stands for Fatty Acid Esters: because the bourbon is non-chill-filtered, long-chain esters stay in the liquid for a creamier mouthfeel and amplified fruit notes. A 750mL limited-release bottle from Loretto, Kentucky. Secure your bottle online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 55.15–55.3% (110.3–110.6 proof, cask strength)
- Size: 750mL
- Age: NAS — fully matured base, finished with 10 virgin toasted oak staves
- Mash bill: 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley (wheated bourbon)
- Origin: Maker's Mark Distillery, Loretto, Kentucky
Staves Seared One Side, Raw the Other
Every Wood Finishing Series release is an experiment in stave science, and FAE-01's experiment was raw wood. The seared side of each stave contributes heavier wood extractives; the raw side contributes fruit-forward elements — and because the base bourbon skips chill filtration, the fatty acid esters survive to round the whole thing out. The brand's tagline for the release: it "tastes exactly how our barrel warehouse smells." Expect heavy wood, dark fruit, and tobacco on the nose; deep, dried dark fruits and a big midpalate of tobacco and barrel extractives; and a creamy, lingering, round finish with rich figgy notes. Browse more Maker's Mark bourbons and the bourbon whiskey collection.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: heavy wood, dark fruit, tobacco. Taste: deep and dried dark fruits, big midpalate with strong tobacco and barrel extractives. Finish: creamy, lingering, round — pleasantly dank woodiness with figgy notes (official brand copy).
How to Enjoy
At 110+ proof this rewards a splash of water or a single large cube — the creamy texture opens and the dark fruit lifts. Cask-strength bourbon fans can take it neat in small pours. This is a collector's bottle; if you open it, give it 15 minutes in the glass.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does FAE-01 stand for? Fatty Acid Esters — the bourbon is non-chill-filtered, retaining long-chain esters that give a creamier mouthfeel and preserve fruit notes.
What proof is Maker's Mark FAE-01? It was bottled between 110.3 and 110.6 proof (cask strength); the brand's official figure is 110.6.
Is FAE-01 part of a series? Yes — the 2021 limited release in the Wood Finishing Series (2019 RC6, 2020 SE4xPR5, 2021 FAE-01, then FAE-02 in fall 2021).
Secure your bottle of Maker's Mark FAE-01 online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.