Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series 2021 FAE-01

Let sit for about 5 minutes. 👀: Pale copper, a little sunset, legs abound; 👃: Some baked goods in there, some gooey maple syrup, cherry Coke, pepper and spices; 👅: Some heat at the outset but immediately gives way to sweet creamed corn and butterscotch notes, warm, full body, oily, peppery; 🏁: Long finish, oil sticks to your tongue, great pour.

Very smooth and wonderful sweet notes. Very much enjoyed the bottle I got from the Big Bourbon Club.

Really great nose, mouthfeel and long finish. It’s definitely different than FAE-02 but not sure which one I like better. Both are great.

Nose- vanilla pudding and oak abound. There is some darker berries in the background and perhaps currants. Palate- the texture is creamy/butter. There is a sweet corn on the cob taste on entry that quickly transitions to the vanilla pudding I get on the nose. I also get vanilla wafer and red fruit towards the end, all coated in gooey caramel sauce. This reminds me of bread pudding. It then transitions to a bit of cola-like finish. Plenty of wood to go along but in a nice down home way. Finish- Long and even with no bite, but enough backbone to let you know there is some alcohol here. It is oaky and sweet, then goes out on a bit of cherry cola. It makes me feel warm and content. Overall- This is a winner of a bourbon! The nose and texture are excellent. Traditional bourbon flavors amped up to 11 is what I get. Some may kick it in the butt for lacking complexity, but sometimes what is showcased is the ability to just let the bourbon do the talking in a traditional way. I think the stave selection adds much creaminess to the texture, and a bit of dryness on the way out vs. regular Maker's Mark at cask strength. Definitely recommend this one. It is one of the limited bottles that will not cost a secondary arm and leg if that is your only means to get it, but will outshine bottles you might pay triple for.