Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series 2021 FAE-01 Review
A must-taste limited edition expression from Maker’s Mark
When Bob and I visited the Maker’s Mark distillery a few weeks ago, we picked up a bottle of the latest limited release in the Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series, FAE-01. We’ve tasted it a couple of times now, and we’ve really found it to be the most complex, fruit-forward, interesting bourbon expression we’d tried in a while. I absolutely love this one, y’all.
The Wood Finishing Series was launched in 2019 as an extension of the Maker’s 46 and Private Selection expressions. which finish fully mature Maker’s Mark bourbon in barrels made of a combination of specially-selected charred and toasted oak staves to produce more intense and pronounced flavors. The 2019 (RC6) and 2020 (SE4xPR5) were each made using distinct wood profiles. The first release of 2021, FAE-01, uses virgin American oak staves that have been toasted on one side and left raw on the other, coaxing out both strong earthy flavors and bright, fruity notes.
The release’s name comes from the fatty acid esters which are formed throughout the distilling and fermentation process. Here, the non-chill filtering process favored by Maker’s Mark is crucial. “Non-chill-filtering allows long-chain fatty acid esters (FAEs) to remain in the liquid, which contributes to the creamier mouthfeel and helps preserve and elevate the fruit notes,” a distillery press release explains. The result is really something special.
Maker’s Mark Director of Innovation Jane Bowie noted in the same press release that this expression “tastes just like a barrel warehouse smells.” This is a stunningly succinct and accurate description of FAE-01. All the delightful notes that hit your nose on a warehouse tour are captured in the flavor of this bourbon. It’s a definite must-sample for bourbon lovers. If you run across a bottle of this one, you should definitely pick it up!
FAE-01 retails at $60. A companion expression, FAE-02, will be released in the fall.
We obviously had to taste this one a couple of times to get it all right.
Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series 2021 FAE-01 Tasting Notes
Mash Bill: 70% corn; 16% red winter wheat; 14% malted barley
Finishing Wood: 10 virgin toasted American oak staves
Proof: 110.6 (cask strength)
Nose: fruit-forward notes of blackberries, bing cherries, and figs; opens to molasses and a strong note of rickhouse wood.
Palate: bing cherries and lemon zest, demamara sugar, toasted oak, and plums.
Finish: creamy with a lingering balance of earthiness and sweetness.
Maker's Mark Bourbon Balls
A family recipe for the classic Kentucky bourbon ball, made with Maker’s Mark.
In my family, it isn't Christmas until somebody makes a batch of bourbon balls. This recipe, passed down from my Great-Aunt Marie, is the most popular recipe on HerKentucky!
Because the bourbon isn't cooked down, the candy retains the taste of the bourbon used. I think it's pretty important to use a rich wheated bourbon like Maker's Mark to retain the sweetness of the dough. Bourbon balls made with a rye blend bourbon (think Early Times or Old Forester) tend to add a bitter note. The paraffin wax is totally optional — it makes a smoother, shinier shell to the candy. Since this is an old family recipe, I include it, but it really goes back to the days when high-quality baking chocolate wasn’t readily available and the wax was needed to help make the chocolate adhere.
Maker’s Mark Bourbon Balls
This recipe yields between six and seven dozen bourbon balls.
1 to 2 cups good bourbon whisky (I use Maker's Mark)
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 to 1 cup whole pecan halves (optional)
1 two-pound bag of powdered sugar
1 stick butter, softened
2 bags Ghirardelli semisweet chocolate chips
paraffin wax
Place 1/2 to 1 cup of chopped pecans in shallow bowl. Pour Maker's Mark over nuts, immersing completely. Cover and let soak 12 hours to overnight.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place pecan halves in shallow pan and toast lightly for about ten minutes.
Cream butter in stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment. Combine bourbon-pecan mixture with just enough powdered sugar to form a stiff ball. Refrigerate to let stiffen slightly.
Roll dough into small balls.
In double-boiler (or a sauce pan placed over a cooker full of boiling water), add a third to a half a bag of semisweet chocolate chips and, if desired, a small shaving of paraffin wax (no more than 1/4 cup). Heat until just smooth. Dip dough balls into the chocolate mixture. The key is to coat them quickly and make small, frequent batches of melted chocolate.
Place bourbon balls on wax paper to cool. Top each with a toasted pecan half, if desired. Results are better if you leave them to cool at room temperature rather than in the refrigerator.
Download the recipe card!
Maker's Mark Bourbon Balls
Classic holiday dessert made with Maker’s Mark bourbon!
Maker’s Mark Bourbon Balls are my family’s favorite holiday tradition. I make at least one batch every Christmas season! This recipe was been passed down from my great-aunt Marie. While I’m all for exploring your bourbon palate most of the year, I’m pretty adamant that this must be made with Maker’s Mark! The sweet wheated bourbon is just perfect with the tart semisweet chocolate! Besides, who am I to question a 50 year-old family recipe??
I know the Christmas holiday is a few weeks off, but I wanted to share my Maker’s Mark Bourbon Balls recipe with y’all so you can plan to include it in your holiday dessert plan!
I’ve teamed up with some great Kentucky-based bloggers to share holiday dessert recipes. Just click the photos to read the recipe! I hope y’all enjoy them all!
10 Can't-Miss Kentucky Events Week of April 9th
Celebrate the best of Kentucky this week!
There is so much pre-Derby goodness going on in the Bluegrass State this week, y'all. Here are 10 events you don't want to miss!
Tuesday April 10
Elizabeth McCall, Woodford Reserve
Draper James Mint Julep Event (Click here for ticket) 6-8 pm, Draper James Lexington. I'm so excited to attend this one. So many of my favorite things -- Draper James, mint juleps, and my awesome friend Elizabeth McCall, the Assistant Master Distiller at Woodford Reserve. Learn how to properly make a mint julep for your Derby soirees, meet Elizabeth (who leads the absolute best bourbon tastings I've ever attended!), and shop for your favorite race-day attire from Draper James. This dress is so perfect for Keeneland and this one is on my shopping wish list.
Thursday April 12
Stoneware & Co Starting Gate Social (Click here to RSVP) 6-8 pm, Stoneware & Co Studio. A shopping event benefiting Backside Learning Center, which provides education and community for the track workers at Churchill Downs.
Kentucky Derby Festival BourbonVille 6-9 pm, Louisville Palace Theatre (Click here for tickets) Signature drinks and tastings from Kentucky’s Bourbon distilleries, such as Bulleit, Evan Williams, Flat Boat, Four Roses, Jim Beam, Jeptha Creed and more.
Bourbon and Boweties Trunk Show at Sweet Mash, Lawrenceburg. Check out the selection of Derby and Kentucky-themed bracelets from the popular brand! I'm obsessed with Sweet Mash's exclusive bourbon B&B bangle, and I can't wait to pick up this year's Derby bangle!
Saturday April 14
Off Broadway Shoes Derby Hat Trunk Show 11 am - 2 pm; Off Broadway Shoes, Shelbyville Rd Plaza Louisville. Join Danielle from Lou What Wear, the Kentucky Derby Festival Princesses, and me for a Kentucky Derby Hat Trunk Show.
Elva Fields Trunk Show (Click here for more information) 10 am - 5 pm; Von Maur in Oxmoor Center, Louisville. I LOVE Elva Fields jewelry, and I simply adore Emily Maynard, the line's owner and designer. Y'all, this lady is the real deal. She's as smart and thoughtful and funny and creative a person as I've ever met. I've legitimately never gotten more compliments on any piece of clothing or accessory than I do when I wear my Elva necklace. Head out to Von Maur for equestrian-inspired pieces for your Derby season.
Maker's Mark Handcraft Festival 10 am-4 pm; Maker's Mark Distillery, Loretto. Music, food trucks, and select local vendors. (Click here for Heritage Tasting tickets) (Click here for Mint Julep Class tickets)
Hats By Katie Trunk Show Draper James, Lexington. Join milliner Katie for an array of ready-to-wear hats to match your favorite DJ dress; she's also taking custom orders in-store!
The Fillies Derby Ball 6:30 pm - 12 am, Galt House East Grand Ballroom, Louisville. (Click here for tickets) The old-school gala that kicks off Derby Season. The presentation of the Derby Festival Princesses and Coronation of the Derby Festival Queen. Cocktails and dancing and pageantry. Click here to read Grace of A Southern Drawl's account of her year as a Derby Festival Princess.
KMAC Couture Fashion Show 7 pm - midnight, 700 Block of Main Street, Louisville. (Click here for tickets) Art Walks the Runway in this conceptual couture fashion show. White attire is requested; champagne toasts are appreciated.
What are y'all doing this week?
Maker's Mark and Keeneland
These iconic Kentucky brands enjoy a decades-old partnership.
Maker's Mark and Keeneland are two of Kentucky's most iconic traditions. I bet you've noticed that there's always plenty of Maker's Mark at the track, but did you know that these two brands have been paired up since the very beginning? In fact, the very first barrel of Maker's Mark was purchased by Keeneland in the mid-1950s. When Maker's launched their Private Select Barrel Program a few years ago, Keeneland was, once again, their first customer!
Of course, there are always plenty of opportunities to celebrate Maker's Mark at the track. The 2015 Breeders' Cup at Keeneland featured everything from signature Maker's Mark lounge areas to Maker's branded cocktails.
Bob makes his Breeders' Cup picks at Keeneland, Maker's Mark in hand.
And, then there are the bottles. Since 1997, Maker's Mark has collaborated with Keeneland to produce special collectors' bottles which benefit local charities. These are accompanied by signings at Keeneland, which are quite an event for bourbon lovers. This year's signing will be next Friday, April 13th, to coincide with the Maker's 46 Mile, a popular (G1) horse race. Perhaps the most iconic bottle in the collection is the Empty Bottle, the 2000 edition which was not filled because whisky supply was low at Maker's distillery due to a fire. Even with no bourbon inside, the bottle raised over $200,000 for the Tubby Smith Foundation!
There's even a signature Maker's Mark cocktail at Keeneland, The Keeneland Breeze. It's so citrusy and refreshing: it's 1.5 parts Maker's Mark to 1/2 part Triple Sec, topped with a splash of ginger ale and an orange round garnish.
I ran across these Keeneland Breeze kitchen items at The Keeneland Shop recently. What a fun way to celebrate the racetrack and its signature spirit!
Cheers and happy racing, y'all!
Bourbon Hot Chocolate
With the Bluegrass State well into its millionth snow day of 2015, we could all use a treat. This hot chocolate is rich, warm, and bourbon-y. (As y'all have heard me say countless times, I prefer to use a spicy, wheated bourbon like Maker's Mark in chocolate recipes.) The bourbon can easily be omitted to make a family-friendly treat; it's still pretty delicious. The secret to this recipe is to let the chocolate-covered marshmallows melt and create a swirly, special topping.
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup raw sugar
- Dash salt
- ½ cup boiling water
- 3 cups milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ cup Kentucky bourbon whiskey
- Trader Joe’s chocolate-covered marshmallows
- Sift cocoa powder, sugar, and salt and add to medium saucepan. Add boiling water and whisk until smoorth
- Turn the burner to medium heat.
- Add milk, stirring frequently.
- Remove from heat; add vanilla and bourbon.
- Pour in mugs and add marshmallows. Allow marshmallows to melt, creating a swirled topping.
Maker's Mark Mochaccino
A serious snowstorm like the one we've experienced this week calls for a serious warm cocktail. I love mixing a spicy, wheated bourbon with chocolate. This one adds steamed milk to keep you warm and two rich shots of espresso for good measure.
- 2 shots of espresso
- 2 cups steamed steamed milk (or half and half)
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 oz Maker's Mark
Pull 2 shots espresso. Add sugar and cocoa powder; stir well. Add Maker's Mark. Add milk, sprinkle with additional cocoa if desired.
Stay warm out there, y'all!