Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series 2021 FAE-01 Review

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.

The Best Bourbons for Beginners

A friend recently texted me with one of my very favorite questions to answer: “If I wanted to try (and like) bourbon straight up, what should I try?”

Now, of course, my first thought was “how awesome is it to first experience bourbon as an adult who isn’t starting off by over-indulging in something cheap or by mixing it with Coke?”, then I started thinking of a few tips.

1. Start with a lower-proof spirit

Proof is, of course, the measure of alcohol by volume. The proof statement on a bottle of alcohol is twice the percentage of alcohol by volume. So, for example, a 90 proof bourbon is 45% alcohol. If you’re starting to taste bourbon straight, it’s probably easier to start with something that doesn’t have an overwhelming alcohol burn. This will help you experience more of the flavor of the bourbon and give you a better appreciation of your preferences. I’d suggest something in the 80 to 90 proof range.

My top picks for low-proof bourbons that provide a complex and delicious flavor profile are Basil Hayden’s (80 proof) or Old Forester 86 Proof. Entry-level Four Roses (formerly known as Yellow Label) is a good sipper at 80 proof, and Cooper’s Craft, at 82.2 proof, provides a good introduction to the fruity and floral notes of its older siblings in the Brown-Forman lineup, Old Forester and Woodford Reserve.

2. Look to something that works with your flavor profile. 

It always astonishes me when someone tells me that they “don’t like bourbon”, because there’s such a huge spectrum of flavors available in various bourbon expressions.

If you like sweet flavors, a bourbon with a high wheat content like Maker’s Mark or Larceny will be a good starting place. The strong vanilla and brown sugar notes of Woodford Reserve are also always great for those of us who have a sweet tooth!

If you tend to choose more savory flavors, a higher rye content is good. Buffalo Trace and its big brother Eagle Rare are a great starting point, as is Michter’s US*1. Knob Creek is another great bourbon that provides a full, spicy flavor.

3. Don’t be afraid of water.

A drop or two of water is an easy way to lightly dilute your bourbon and open up its flavor. Make sure you use a pure, clean water (nothing messes up a nice drink like a weird-flavored water or ice cube!). You’ll be able to really taste and appreciate your drink while making it a little easier to drink.

Cheers, y’all!!

Old Forester 150th Anniversary Bourbon

(I was provided with press samples of Old Forester 100 proof and Old Forester 150th Anniversary for review purposes. All opinions are my own.}

It’s no secret that I love Old Forester. I can’t even be objective about it. The 100 proof is one of my favorite everyday bourbons, and I think every home bar should have a bottle of OldFo Rye for cocktails. Now that I’ve fully acknowledged my fangirl status, let’s move on to a more impartial review.

Old Forester has a special place in the history of bourbon. In 1870, Louisville-based pharmaceutical salesman George Garvin Brown created a new, 90 proof whiskey , which he named “Old Forester” after a Dr. William Forrester. The new product batched bourbon from three nearby distilleries, Mattingly, Mellwood, and Atherton. Mr. Brown innovated the bourbon industry by sealing his whiskey exclusively in glass bottles and signs each bottle as his personal guarantee of its quality. Whiskey in individual bottle was pretty big news in 1870. Old Forester has been produced continually by the Brown-Forman Corporation for the past 150 years. (Brown-Forman was one of six distilleries that were allowed to legally distill alcohol for “medicinal purposes” during Prohibition.)

Brown-Forman Building, Dixie Highway, Louisville

This week, I had the fun opportunity to take part in a Zoom press conference with Old Forester President Campbell Brown and Master Taster Jackie Zykan in which they announced the latest OldFo release, which celebrates the 150th Anniversary of their iconic bourbon.

Old Forester 150th Anniversary Bourbon is a special release that was first planned seven-ish years ago when Brown-Forman Master Distiller Chris Morris set aside 150 barrels of Old Forester distillate in the Brown-Forman Shively rackhouse. The barrels were aged around seven years and underwent a heat cycling process that led to a maturation equivalent of about nine years. Several barrels were, of course, lost completely to the angels’ share, with the remainder being sampled and blended to produce three distinct batches. Jackie Zykan noted that three blends were chosen to honor the three original distilleries from which Old Forester was first blended. The 150th Anniversary Bourbon is bottled unfiltered at batch proof in an amber glass bottle, reminiscent of the original Old Forester packaging, with about 25,000 bottles in circulation. This release will retail for around $150.

Jackie noted that, while all of the releases are fantastic, Batch 1, which she describes as a “fruit bomb,” is her favorite. The press samples were mailed randomly, and I received Batch 2, which Jackie and Campbell refer to as “sweet and spry.”

Tasting Notes:

I tasted Old Forester 100 Proof against the 150th Anniversary, Batch 2 as a baseline.

Old Forester 100 Proof

Mash bill: 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malt

Proof: 100

Nose: honey, floral, cherry, brown sugar. Opens up to a strong note of red fruits.

Palate: golden syrup, banana, toasted pecans, cinnamon, toasted oak.

Finish: green apple and caramel.

Old Forester 150th Anniversary Bourbon, Batch 2

This isn’t a bourbon for the occasional bourbon drinker. At 126.4 proof, it’s powerful and syrupy — a sipper for serious whiskey fans. It’s a delightfully rich and layered bourbon that exaggerates and amplifies some of the best notes for which Old Forester is known.

Mash Bill: 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malt

Proof: 126.4

Nose: deep and woody notes of toasted oak, walnuts, honey, and banana bread, opening up to dark brown sugar.

Palate: maple syrup, French toast, dark cherry, orange, cocoa, date.

Finish: spicy and dry with notes of orange peel.

Cheers, y’all!

Angel's Envy Cellar Collection: Tawny Port Cask Finished Bourbon

In February 2020, Angel’s Envy will release the latest bourbon in their Cellar Collection: a 10 year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished for 10 months in tawny port casks. I recently had the opportunity to attend a press tasting for this limited edition release and can’t wait to share my tasting notes with y’all!

Since its founding in 2010, Angel’s Envy has become a cult-favorite craft whiskey label. The brand was founded when former Brown-Forman master distiller Lincoln Henderson came out of retirement to team with his son, Wesley, to distill bourbon which would then be finished in port barrels. Over the past decade, the senior Mr. Henderson has since passed, four of Wes’s sons have joined the Angel’s Envy team, and a stunning distillery and tasting area opened in Downtown Louisville. It’s always a delight to attend a tasting with Wes and his sons Kyle (AE’s Production Manager) and Andrew (Lead Distillery Operator). They are warm, funny, and so very passionate about their whiskey. I’ve had the opportunity to taste with the Hendersons several times now, and I look forward to the Hendersons’ high-energy, hilarious presentations almost as much as I do the whiskey itself. During this tasting event, Wes Henderson laughed that, while many of their ideas produce interesting, high-quality whiskeys, “there are a lot of dumbass ideas, too, that should probably never see the light of day.” While the Hendersons speak of one another with a mixture of good-natured ribbing, respect, and self-deprecation, the mood turns far more serious when speaking of the late family patriarch; Wes always takes a moment during a tasting to reflect on the goal of making bourbon that his dad would make his dad proud.

Andrew, Wes, and Kyle Henderson

As for the whiskey, the Tawny Port Cask finished release in the cellar collection is an interesting and complex offering. The Cellar Collection is an experimental line of limited edition, small batch whiskeys. The first in the series, Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish, was released in January 2019; however, these aren’t necessarily an annual release. Rather, says Kyle Henderson, the offerings will be released as they mature and are ready. Says Wes Henderson, “I never want to be on the innovation trail just to be innovating.”

The Tawny Port Cask release features a minor bottle redesign, including new gold lettering. The release of 5400 bottles at just under $250 will be available in KY, CA, FL, IL, NY and TN as well as at the distillery. The release is available for pre-purchase now.

We tasted the release alongside the flagship Angel’s Envy bourbon. It was immediately intriguing to see the color difference between the AE flagship bourbon — finished in ruby port casks — and the Cellar Collection expression. The new product had a far deeper amber color, a great indicator of a richer, more complex bourbon.

Tasting Notes:

Proof: 111.6

Nose: {AE provided tasting notes: dry fruit and oak}; my tasting notes: green apple and oak

Palate: {AE provided tasting notes: black pepper, toasted nuts, clove and delicate cinnamon spice}; my tasting notes: cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, golden syrup (treacle) or light molasses and dried apricot

Finish: {AE provided tasting notes: light and lingering, reminiscent of dried fruit dipped in dark chocolate); my tasting notes: rich and fruity, dried oranges dipped in wildflower honey

There’s a mellow warmth to this whiskey; it’s surprisingly delicate for such a high proof. I far prefer this one to last year’s Oloroso Sherry release. It’s definitely a great bourbon for fans of Angel’s Envy’s distinctive finishing style.

Thanks so much to Angel’s Envy for the invitation to taste this product. As always, all opinions are my own.

Angel's Envy Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish Bourbon Review

Last week, I attended a media preview and tasting of the latest release from Angel’s Envy: Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish Bourbon. Angel’s Envy is one of those small, family-owned whiskey labels that has a cult following — fans love the unique bourbon and rye whiskeys finished respectively in port wine or rum barrels to provide a gently altered flavor profile. The limited release Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish was a pretty big deal to bourbon geeks: it was the first new Angel’s Envy expression produced since 2013, and the first to be produced without the guidance of famed patriarch and Master Distiller Lincoln Henderson.

A mural at the entry of Angel’s Envy pays tribute to legendary distiller Lincoln Henderson

Lincoln Henderson was the Master Distiller for Brown-Forman for 40 years; he created the Woodford Reserve and Gentleman Jack expressions while at B-F. Lincoln retired in 2004, but by 2006 his son Wes persuaded him to come out of retirement work on a new, family-owned distillery project. The result was Angel’s Envy, a name paying humorous homage to the fabled “angels’ share”, the portion of the whiskey that evaporates in the warehouse each year. Mr. Henderson passed away in 2013 at the age of 75; Wes Henderson and his sons Kyle and Andrew continue to run the family business with an eye toward their patriarch’s vision.

Henderson Family Tree

Wes and Kyle Henderson sample new make.

After a quick tour of the distillery, Wes and sons Andrew and Kyle treated our media group to the first “outsiders’” taste of the new, limited edition bourbon expression, Angel’s Envy Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish.

Tasting Notes:

Proof: 100

Nose: Raisin and New Oak

Taste: Sherry, Raisin, and Hazelnut with a secondary toffee note.

Finish: Oak and Floral

This is a really unique expression. I LOVED the nose on this. It was this gorgeous raisin and oak scent that felt like a storybook holiday. The sherry definitely came through on the initial taste; we were told that Oloroso is a drier sherry, specifically chosen to keep the whiskey balanced and not overly sweet. I could see this making a really sophisticated and subtle Manhattan.

This is a very limited run of 3,600 bottles at $199 each. The whiskey will be available at the Angel’s Envy Distillery Store in downtown Louisville and distributed to a handful of Louisville area liquor stores. Public sales will begin on February 15th at 8 am; you can add your name to the VIP Access list by joining the Angel’s Envy 500 Main Club.

Bourbon & Boweties Bourbon Barrel Bangle available exclusively at Sweet Mash Goods.

After the tasting and lunch, we were treated to a cocktail class with Finishing Room Bar manager Mike Bohn. Mike was so knowledgeable about the history of cocktails and the best ways to coax flavors out of the whiskey. You can sign up here for your own cocktail class.

Thanks so much to Angel’s Envy for the opportunity to sample this new expression!

Old Forester Rye Whisky Review

{I was provided a press sample of Old Forester Rye in advance of release. All opinions are my own.}

I don’t know when I’ve so pumped about a whiskey release, y’all. When I heard about Old Forester’s new 100 proof Rye release, I was so, so excited. Old Forester Signature (100 Proof) is one of my all-time favorite bourbons, and I love what Master Distiller Chris Morris and Master Taster Jackie Zykan are doing to create new riffs on Brown-Forman’s flagship line.

I set up a tasting flight to sample the Rye, both for comparison and to take an opportunity to revisit two of my favorite Brown-Forman pours. Along with the Rye sample, I tasted Old Forester 100 and Woodford Reserve Rye. Both Rye expressions have a lower percentage of rye in their mash bill — 53% for the Woodford and 65% for the Forester — while many other brands use up to 90% rye in their rye whiskey. The Woodford Rye is one we reach for frequently at my house; Bob especially likes it to balance out the sweetness in Old-Fashioneds or Whiskey Sours.

Tasting Notes:

I started with the Old Forester Signature as a baseline. As I said earlier, I love this one as a sipper.

• Proof: 100

• Nose: initial notes of brown sugar and caramel, opening up to butterscotch and oak.

• Taste: apple & baking spice

• Finish: apple & clove

Y’all, I love this bourbon. It’s versatile in cocktails and wonderful as a sipper. It’s at a fabulous price point, and it plays such an important role in Louisville’s bourbon legacy. Everyone should have this on their bar.

I moved on to Woodford Reserve Rye to switch over from a bourbon mashbill to a rye. I know that opinions on this one are fairly divisive, but I’m a fan.

• Proof: 90.4

• Nose: initial notes of rye and black pepper; as it opens, there’s a fruity depth and a buttery warmth.

• Taste: spice, rye, & sorghum

• Finish: apple

Moving from the robust 100 proof of Forester bourbon to the Woodford Rye was certainly noticeable. The lower proof does allow the buttery depth of the whiskey to open up a little more. I love the way this whiskey inverts both bourbon and rye mash bills as a spicy riff on Woodford Reserve’s bourbon expression.

These two favorites set up some pretty stiff expectations for the Old Forester Rye. I was pretty happy to see that this big whiskey lived up to my big expectations.

• Proof: 100

• Nose: starts out spicy, reminiscent of those cinnamon red-hot candies, before opening up to a buttery depth and notes of banana bread

• Taste: rye grain, pear

• Finish: peppery with a hint of lemon

I tasted this new against two of my go-to whiskies, and it did not disappoint. It certainly brings that fruit note that is prevalent across the entire Brown-Forman portfolio. The higher proof and spicier rye note differentiates this from both its bourbon sibling and its Woodford cousin. At $23 for a 750 ml, you should definitely have this on hand for both sipping and mixing. I think it would make a really nuanced Manhattan.

Drink More Whiskey Tee available at The Bitter Southerner General Store.

Old Forester Rye certainly lived up to my expectations. It manages to be at once unique and familiar, complimenting the 150 year-old Old Forester line in a smart and thoughtful manner.

(Editorial note: I use the American “whiskey” with an e in everyday usage. Brown-Forman rocks the boat by labeling Old Forester products with the Scottish “whisky” moniker, while their Woodford Reserve line is “whiskey”.)

Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Malt Whiskey

During Derby week, I had the amazing opportunity to visit the Brown-Forman suite at Churchill Downs for a day of bourbon and horse racing. Seriously, who could turn down that combo? 

The Woodford Reserve Suite at Churchill Downs. Shop the Draper James Throw here.

The tasting event was held on the Wednesday before Derby, a day which I hope never gains a nickname as "cute" as Thurby, and which still retains the charm of a locals' day at the track. As Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Chris Morris and Assistant Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall poured cups for tasting, we learned that a group of bourbon media professionals had been assembled for the first tasting of Woodford's new Kentucky Straight Malt Whiskey, a product which will be available for purchase in some markets as early as next month.

If you ever have the chance to attend a Woodford Reserve whiskey tasting, you owe it to yourself to participate. The Woodford team puts so much care into the details -- whether they're doing the signature flavor wheel food pairing exercise or a comparative whiskey tasting, as we experienced on this occasion. Mr. Morris took care to explain that all four expressions in the brand's whiskey  portfolio -- Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked, Woodford Reserve Rye, and Woodford Reserve Malt -- were comprised of the same three grains: corn, rye, and malted barley and are bottled at 90.4 proof. Of course, the percentage of grains in the individual mash bills as well as the special finishing process in the case of Double Oaked are what produce such distinct flavors in the different distillates.

We started with the original WR expression, the bourbon as a baseline spirit for tasting. We followed with my favorite expression in Woodford's portfolio, Double Oaked. The Double Oaked is traditional Woodford juice that, upon maturation has been finished in a second charred oak barrel. This produces more of the sweet caramel notes for which the brand is famous. I love this one as a sipping whiskey or as an after-dinner "dessert" drink, as it has prominent brown sugar notes; it's sweet without ever becoming cloying.

Next on the tasting menu was Woodford Reserve Rye. This one is Bob's go-to cocktail whiskey; it makes a fine Manhattan, sour, or Old-Fashioned. It's peppery and earthy, but doesn't enter into the high-rye herbaceous "bite" that so many ryes often display.  We consider it the "house whiskey" of HerKentucky Headquarters; I love the idea that this rye whiskey is made from Brown-Forman's pre-Prohibition recipe.

Elizabeth McCall leads a tasting of Woodford Reserve whiskeys

Then it was time for a sip of the new malt product. This one was fascinating, y'all. It had a lot of the characteristics of traditional Woodford bourbon, but was somehow lighter. The nose was strong with notes of cherry and almond. The mouthfeel was quite different from any of the other whiskeys we tasted that day; I felt a strong evaporation on the front of my tongue, somewhere between the sweet and salty tasting zones. I think that the Straight Malt expression will make a really interesting whiskey for mixologists; it will create some unique cocktails!

Mr. Morris made the very important distinction that this whiskey is not to be considered in the class of single malt Scotch whiskeys, but rather it is an experimental expression of American whiskey. Elizabeth led us through the tasting notes, as you can see in the video below.

Elizabeth and I also had a chance to chat about some of our favorite Draper James pieces. She was featured on the brand's Love, Reese blog as part of the Real Women, Real Clothes series, and partnered with Draper James on her Derby Week looks. How perfect is that partnership? We posed for  a #draperjamesgirl photo as the event wrapped up.

Draper James Girls at the track. Shop Elizabeth's dress and my dress. (My fascinator is c/o Off Broadway Shoes and my necklace is from Elva Fields.)

Thanks so much to Woodford Reserve for an amazingly relaxing and educational Derby Week event! Cheers, y'all!