Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series is a result of the success of Maker’s Mark 46 — a bourbon finished with French oak staves. Maker’s went decades without any line expansions until Maker’s 46 took off. The beauty of stave finishing is it allows Maker’s to continue making the classic bourbon we all love while adding additional layers of flavor with a variety of staves. Below you will find information on each release and see first hand how these staves affect the classic Maker’s Mark flavor profile.
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Table of Contents
Maker’s Mark FAE-01 Wood Finishing (2021 Spring) Review
| FAE-01 Wood Finishing (2021 Spring) | Details |
|---|---|
| Mashbill | 70% corn, 16% red winter wheat, and 14% barley |
| Finishing Staves | 10 Virgin Toasted American Staves |
| In the Bottle | 100.6 Proof |
| ABV | 55.3% |
| Age | NAS (up to 6 years) |
| Size | 750 mL |
| Suggested MSRP | $60.00 |
| Parent Company | Beam Suntory |
| Distillery | Maker's Distillery at Star Hill Farm 3350 Burks Spring Rd, Loretto, KY 40037 |
| Pros | Love the Tobacco Notes |
| Cons | No Major Flaws |
| Rating | Gold 95.3 out of 100 Points |
| Inventory | Buy It, Stock It |
Nose – 95 out of 100 Points
The aroma is unlike anything I’ve tasted from Maker’s Mark. Listen Maker’s is delicious but I’m loving the new aromas. The primary notes on the nose are tobacco and charred oak with stewed down cherries (not sugary though). It’s got kind of a dusty vibe. I’ll admit the score could be a flavor preference thing. One of my fav combos is fruit and tobacco.
Taste – 96 out of 100 Points
The mouthfeel is phenomenal. The cherries turn sweet and tart on the palate with tobacco and leather underpinnings. Some wonderful oak notes with lingering white pepper.
Finish – 95 out of 100 Points
One of the best finishes for a Maker’s bourbon. It sticks to your throat with more sweet and tart cherries, charred oak, mild tobacco and leather, and a nice peppery note.
Verdict – Gold 95.3 out of 100 Points
The complexity, flavor, and balance are off the charts. I’m truly blown away. It’s early in 2021 but Maker’s 2021 Wood Finishing Series is a contender for my whiskey of the year.
Maker’s Mark FAE-02 Wood Finishing (2021 Fall) Review
| FAE-02 Wood Finishing (2021 Fall) | Details |
|---|---|
| Mashbill | 70% corn, 16% red winter wheat, and 14% barley |
| Finishing Staves | 10 Virgin Toasted American Staves |
| Stave Bourbon Blend | Coming Soon |
| In the Bottle | 102.5 Proof |
| ABV | 51.25% |
| Age | NAS (up to 6 years) |
| Size | 750 mL |
| Suggested MSRP | $60.00 |
| Parent Company | Beam Suntory |
| Distillery | Maker's Distillery at Star Hill Farm 3350 Burks Spring Rd, Loretto, KY 40037 |
| Pros | Coming Soon |
| Cons | Coming Soon |
| Rating | Coming Soon |
| Inventory | Coming Soon |
Full Review Upon Release
Maker’s Mark SE4 x PR5 Wood Finishing (2020) Review
| Maker’s Mark SE4 x PR5 (2020) | Details |
|---|---|
| Mashbill | 70% corn, 16% red winter wheat, and 14% barley |
| Finishing Staves | Virgin toasted American oak (PR5) and virgin French oak (SE4) staves seasoned outside for one year |
| Stave Bourbon Blend | SE4 stave aged for six weeks (13%), SE4 stave aged for five weeks (32%), and PR5 stave aged for four weeks (55%) |
| In the Bottle | 110.8 Proof |
| ABV | 55.4% |
| Age | NAS (up to 6 years) |
| Size | 750 mL |
| Suggested MSRP | $60.00 |
| Parent Company | Beam Suntory |
| Distillery | Maker's Distillery at Star Hill Farm 3350 Burks Spring Rd, Loretto, KY 40037 |
| Pros | Great Nose |
| Cons | Lacked Refinement |
| Rating | Silver 89.3 out of 100 Points |
| Inventory | It's a Pass for Me |
SE4 x PR5 has maximum glass coverage with long ribbons of oily bourbon.
Nose – 93 out of 100 Points
Caramel, toffee, and baking spice with some charred oak and confectionery. This wood finishing limited release reminds me of eating dessert on a cool fall weekend. The more I smell this the more I get like a raspberry scone with a light dusting of powdered sugar.
Taste – 88 out of 100 Points
The front of the palate is creamy with subtle caramel and cinnamon maple. Maybe a hint of coffee cake with more cinnamon swirl.
It’s got a surprising amount of heat for a wheated bourbon. I get toasted cinnamon and black pepper through the side of the palate. That spicy note comes from the French Oak I’m guessing.
Finish – 87 out of 100 Points
SE4 x PR5 is a medium finish with more roasted baking spice and red peppercorn.
Verdict – Silver 89.3 out of 100 Points
I enjoyed the 2019 Wood Finishing series more than 2020’s. For my palate, the spice came across as less refined. This bourbon was a diamond in the rough.
Maker’s Mark RC6 Wood Finishing (2019) Review
Maker's Mark RC6 (2019)| Maker's Mark RC6 (2019) | Details |
|---|---|
| Mashbill | 70% corn, 16% red winter wheat, and 14% barley |
| Finishing Staves | American Oak seasoned outside for 18 months then toasted in a convection oven |
| In the Bottle | 108.2 Proof |
| ABV | 54.1% |
| Age | NAS (up to 6 years) |
| Size | 750 mL |
| Suggested MSRP | $60.00 |
| Parent Company | Beam Suntory |
| Pros | Aroma and Taste Are Winners Value is Off the Charts |
| Cons | Finish Lacks Same Flavor Punch |
| Rating | Silver 92.3 out of 100 Points |
| Inventory | Buy, Drink, & Repeat |
Maker’s RC6 has been my favorite of this series so far.
Nose – 93 out of 100 Points
It’s thin in the glass with a light honey color. On the nose, I pick up butterscotch and charred oak and some light cinnamon and vanilla.
Taste – 93 out of 100 Points
The front of the palate is all vanilla, caramel, and cinnamon. There’s also a nice Szechuan peppercorn that tingles the tip of the tongue. The back of the palate offers sugary charred oak or maybe like a Graham cracker with charred marshmallow.
Finish – 91 out of 100 Points
The finish is medium with more oaky and cinnamon notes and maybe just a hint of that sweetness from the nose and palate.
Verdict – Silver 92.3 out of 100 Points
The palate is complex and delicious but that doesn’t carry over to the finish. The value is off the charts. Maker’s Wood Finishing series retail for $50 — plus you can easily find them on the shelf. They’re a buy and enjoy every year.
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Written by Matty Sims
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