Maker’s Mark FAE-01 Vs. Larceny Barrel Proof A121

As I’ve continued to taste the most recent limited edition Maker’s Mark, I’m just loving it! I decided to put it on a post-victory matchup against another Wheated limited bottle that also won its recent match!

Larceny BP, and MM01 are both in the $70 range, both cask-strength, both wheated, and both absolutely delicious!

This is going to be a tough matchup, but Fancy Glencairn is a fan of Maker’s. Let’s see if she comes out on top today!

Maker’s FAE-01) 110.6 Proof
-The Nose starts with butterscotch, vanilla, and oak, along with some hints of fruit-cake.
-The Palate starts with an explosion of vanilla sweet-cream and red fruits (cherry, strawberry, apples), then some oak char and cinnamon move in.
-The Finish is medium-long, with that cinnamon hanging on, some black pepper, oak char, and then at the very last those fruit notes reappear, beckoning you to take another sip!
Overall this is the most fruit-forward version of Maker’s that I’ve ever had!

Larceny A121) 114.8 proof.
-The Nose is complex, with caramel, maple syrup, spiced baked apples, and oak.
-The Palate is also complex, with oily roasted peanuts, brown sugar, dark cherries, cinnamon, nutmeg, and oak char.
-The Finish moves into more savory notes of leather, oak, and pepper, but still holds onto some lingering honey-roasted-peanuts.
Overall this is a very enjoyable dram that leans on the sweet and nutty side of bourbon.

VERDICT) This may be the closest matchup I’ve done yet… I love both of these bottles, and I think I would put both above the sample of Weller Full Proof that I’ve tried in the past!
In this battle, for me, the Maker’s just barely edges the Larceny because of those intense fruit notes that you just don’t often get in bourbon!
If I give the Larceny a 92, the Maker’s would get a 93.
Fancy is celebrating by pouring another dram! (This bottle isn’t going to last long…)
Don’t pass on either of these bottles.

Let me know what you think too!