Hannah’s Maker’s Mark FAE-02 Bourbon Review
Original review written October 16, 2021
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
The balance and blend of FAE-02 is absolutely spectacular, and may even be one of the best blends I have ever tasted. A bit of everything for everyone- I’m confident I’ll get another bottle. 94/100
VITALS:
– Made In: Loretto, Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Maker’s Mark Distillery
– Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey; Wheated Whiskey; Wood Finishing Series
– Age: nas
– Mash Bill: Corn=70%; Soft red winter wheat=16%; Malted Barley=14%
– Casks: unpublished char
– Non-chill filtered
– Barrel Entry Proof: 110
– ABV: 54.55% (109.1 proof)
– Price: $69.95 USD in Idaho (2021)
Visit makersmark.com for more information on the wood staves used for this bourbon
ENJOYMENT METHOD:
I enjoyed the spirit neat from a Glencairn with father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer, Brian.
Check out his review for this bourbon here!
SETTING:
FAE-02 would be a great bourbon to have with you when looking at colorful, Christmas lights out in the neighborhood. All of the colors – even with the cold – match the personality of this bourbon while warming you enough to combat the freezing air. It’s a glass full of happiness, richness, and good times. For me, that’s going out at the holidays to look at decorations amidst the snow, and maybe even with a carol on the lips.
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
NOSE:
I find the wheat of the mash bill sweetened by vanilla and caramel on the first inhale. With it, is a light brown sugar and butterscotch for sweetness. I also find an old leather and rich barrel char that is almost – but not quite – smoky. Spice continues along with the baking theme and seems most like cinnamon, but there could be a few stray peppercorns as well. I can’t identify too many fruits on this nose, aside from a stray bright apple-y note and strangely enough, raisins. And when I say raisins, it’s more akin to that familiar red carton raisin, than fresh raisins you’re going to find in a grocery store.
There’s a bit of a nip of alcohol here, and deep inhales burn slightly, but even soft inhales can give you a sting every now and then. While this nose isn’t entirely complex, it’s still rich and warm, and I’m very excited to give it a try.
PALATE:
– Mouth Feel: This is really a lot like velvet in the mouth. It’s soft as it just sits, waiting to be enjoyed, but it has texture once you roll it around a little, which I really love.
– Balance: Fantastic. I think you get a bit of everything in this pour. The spice backs up the sweet, and the bitter prevents either from becoming too forward. Just a really well-blended bourbon that is fun.
– Visual: Auburn in color, there are many fast-dropping, thick legs that fall from a thin crown. The crown turns quickly to solely a thin ring, but it does linger for a moment.
– Taste: Warm, baking spices come across the palate first like allspice and clove being particularly potent. There’s a bitter, nutty element at the back of the sip, perhaps like hazelnuts. Nevertheless, there is still sweetness to be found, with light vanilla, an angel food cake component (with fluffiness to match), and simple syrup. There’s a bit more cherry here also, and a deep version of fruit cup syrup. I can taste the richness of the green grapes in said syrup quite well.
The essence of oak is here rather than being any kind of bold, but it does its job well binding flavors together. The alcohol has just the right amount of kick to be interesting, but it isn’t what I would call overwhelming at all. When I partake in a Kentucky chew, the bitterness of the hazelnuts comes back along with some of those wrinkled green grapes – sans fruit cup syrup this time.
FINISH:
– Lasting Power: Long. The warmth tickles at the back of the throat, and I get some flavor sticking around on top of that.
– Between Sips: The bitter hazelnuts sit with me the most between sips, with a hint of caramel as well.
– No More: Rich and consistent the further into the glass I get, and with this pour, that isn’t a bad thing at all. I love this and am quite content that it’s stayed this good throughout.
The empty Glencairn is a sweet, seasoned oak. A hint of caramel left to top off this great pour.
WORTH THE PRICE?
$70 is indeed a lot, but if any of the Wood Finishing Series were going to be worth this number, I do think it would be FAE-02. The balance alone makes for such a treat, and the flavors are ones that practically anyone can thoroughly enjoy. I might be buying another. And if you can find this, you should buy it too.
MAKER’S MARK FAE-02 BOURBON REVIEW RATING: 94/100
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