Nose: Every time Pinocchio takes a dip in the glass, the aromas oscillate here and there with cherries and burnt sugar. Once you're past the ethanol hit, an underlying subtle note of oats (thank you, @Bourbon_Obsessed_Lexington) and/or apple pie crust emerge from the woodwork. At other times - bananas and wet tobacco (although much less so than in the Makers 46). Just a spectacular bourbon nose. Palate: In the mouth, this is a tad less dynamic but quite rich with maple syrup, cherries, a cinnamon streak, a hint of raspberries, and a spicy, wood-inflected finish. Finish: It gives away its DNA. Its similarity to Maker's 46 is palpably evident. At about 10% more ABV, it's more intense but not 10% hotter, if that makes sense. As I grow acclimated to the ABV, there's almost a peanut and oat note that's surprising. To compare this to the Makers 46 isn't a competition - it's a one way street. Although not night and day in difference -- after all, the finishing phase of this expression uses toasted American oak staves, while the 46 uses French oak staves -- the doubling of cost is justified in my eyes. Zeroing in on the emptied glasses of both - the nose here is much fuller with sweetness and fruit than the 46, which in contrast, plays closer to instant iced tea in aroma. The case @Whiskey_Hound makes in his review of the Wood Finishing Series 2020 is cogent and timely. With the prices of Booker's and ECBP reaching double MSRP, Maker's Mark is offering an excellent value-for-money proposition here with their Wood Finishing Series. (And to flog a dead horse, this is still about $10 cheaper than Knob Creek 12 in California.) While overall, I'm more of a scotch fan than a bourbon drinker - if the opposite were true, I'd easily rate this above the four stars mark. Once this bottle is emptied, I'll be looking forward to a repeat performance from the FAE-02. And that's not an impression, it's simple logic.