My journey with Maker’s Mark began a long time ago. For the most part, I enjoyed Jack Daniels, usually mixed with coke and sometimes in the form of a shot. Back in the early aughts, I started to opt for Maker’s Mark from time to time. I distinctly recall ordering a Coors with a Maker’s back at the bar after Thursday night softball games when I lived in Phoenix. Due to my history with Maker’s Mark, I was pretty excited when I picked up a bottle of Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series.
I picked up this bottle of Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series over the summer. It was the third bottle I chose during a whiskey raffle at my local store. I added it to my liquor display and eventually moved it into a cabinet, where it has sat since June.
We only recently decided to open the bottle and give it a go. There are a few reasons why it sat for so long. For one, Alie and I tend to visit more distilleries during the warmer months. As such, we tend to prioritize sampling a variety of whiskeys from different regions and smaller distilleries we encounter on our visits. You can see that reflected in our choice to offer reviews for Canyonlands Confluence, Wyoming Whiskey, and Dire Wolf.
Another reason this bottle stayed on the shelf for so long is due to the whiskey we choose to drink most often during the summer months. We tend to choose easy-drinking and inexpensive bottles of whiskey. Given our love of cocktail crafting, it is also nice to have some budget bourbon that we can use to mix in cocktails. Plus, if it is really hot, I don’t want to feel bad about adding a rock to my bourbon and watering down the goodness. Fall and winter are when we really like to sit down and enjoy high-proof, special-release whiskeys.
Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series
The Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series has its origins in Maker’s Mark 46. Maker’s 46 was released in 2010. Essentially, Maker’s 46 was finished using wood staves made from French Oak. The result was a highly sought-after release. Maker’s 46 was one of the first limited-release bottles I recall purchasing. Today, Maker’s 46 is a staple expression that is widely available. However, its introduction kicked off a stave-finished experiment by Maker’s Mark that has become incredibly popular.
The Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series I picked up was the 2021 FAE-1 release. The FAE-1 is finished with an oak stave. One side is charred, while the other is left raw. The 2021 FAE-1 and FAE-2 were the third editions of the Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series release.
Maker’s Mark
Maker’s Mark Whisky is notable for its distinctive red wax seal, and for being one of the few American brands to call its product “whisky.” Maker’s Mark began in 1953 when Bill Samuels purchased the Burks Distillery in Loretto, Kentucky. Production of Maker’s Mark started in 1954 and the first bottles to hit the market were released in 1958.
Supposedly, during the planning for Maker’s Mark, Samuel experimented with different mash bill recipes. However, rather than taking the time to distill and age each batch, the rumor is that he used each to make a loaf of bread. He chose the mash bill based on the bread recipe he liked the best. That’s an odd way to decide on a mash bill, but it seems to have worked out.
Samuels received a lot of assistance from another renowned distiller, Julian Van Winkle. You might know him best by his nickname, “Pappy”. At the time, “Pappy” was running the Stitzel-Weller distillery, which specialized in wheated bourbons. Van Winkle frequently assisted Samuels as he worked to establish the Maker’s Mark Brand. Today, Maker’s Mark is noted for being that “other” wheated bourbon brand. Maker’s doesn’t have quite the following of Pappy and Weller. Perhaps, the Wood Finishing Series will change people’s perceptions of the brand.
About Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series
Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series is made from a mash bill of 70% corn, 16% wheat, and 14% malted barley, which is very unique compared to most bourbons we typically review. It is a NAS (no age statement) whiskey, although many sources suggest it is aged at least 4 years. It is bottled at 110.6 proof.
What makes the Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series FAE-1 bottle distinct is that they add 10 charred wood staves to the barrel. However, only one side of each stave is charred. Leaving the other side of the stave raw is supposed to bring out more fruity flavors in the whiskey. According to the Maker’s Mark website, you’ll notice dark fruit, wood, and tobacco on the nose. The tasting notes include dried dark fruit and “barrel extractives.” If I’m being honest, those descriptions didn’t make me very excited to try Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series. I wondered if I’d be disappointed by what was inside the bottle.
Tasting Notes
On the nose, I noticed the dark fruit that was mentioned in a number of reviews and on the Maker’s Mark website. I didn’t notice much else, so it was definitely a one-note aroma for me. Alie noticed the dark fruit aroma as well. She thought it smelled more like dates or figs. Alie also caught a whiff of champagne.
The first sip tasted of damp wood, followed by a burst of cinnamon. After a few sips, I noticed more of a fruit taste. It wasn’t super sweet, nor was it tart. It was similar to a mealy apple, which is usually the taste of disappointment. The wood flavor reminded me of young, blended Scotch, likely from the uncharred side of the wood stave. Somehow, these odd flavors blended together in just the right way.
Alie also noticed the apple taste. She noted that the intensity or burn of the whiskey hit right in the middle of the sip. She described the wood flavor as musky. She also pointed out that for being a high-proof whiskey, it doesn’t drink like a high-proof whiskey. It has a mild intensity and was very easy to drink. The mild, burn does lightly linger for a minute or two before it fades away.
Our Ratings
Drinkability: 4
Intensity: 2.7
Personal Preference: 3.4
Beginner Friendly: 3.7
Availability: 1
Overall: 3.8
Final Thoughts
Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing series is released in limited quantities twice per year. Maker’s Mark releases a #1 bottle in the spring and the #2 bottle in the fall. Although it is unlikely you will be able to find an FAE-1, Maker’s Mark did recently roll out their BRT-2 bottle in limited quantities.
Overall, this was a very smooth and easy-to-drink bottle of whiskey. The flavors were odd, but the tastes actually went together well. Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series puts a new spin on Maker’s Mark.
If you have an opportunity to grab a bottle of the Maker’s Mark Wood FInishing Series, we recommend picking up a bottle. At about $65 per bottle, it really showcases the deliciousness of Maker’s Mark and it might just change your perceptions about Maker’s Mark. Ask for it the next time you visit your local liquor store.
Happy Exploring!
