Maker's Mark

L o r e t t o , K Y

Maker's Mark is a household name, and a staple for bars and enthusiasts looking to have an affordable, yet solid, bourbon pick on their shelves.

However, Maker's Mark has earned their claim to the limited shelf-space enthusiasts the world over carefully ration for bottles that meet their often lofty standards.

Maker's Mark's saga began in 1953 with sixth-generation distiller Bill Samuels, Sr. trying to replicate his family's 170- year-old recipe.

However, after a fire burned both the recipe and his drapes while experimenting, he had to try and make something all his own.

While he was in the planning phase of opening his own distillery, time and resources were limited.

The distiller put together seven potential mash bills, and baked them into bread loaves and judged which mash bill to use based on the taste of the bread rather than waiting years for each to age and sample.

The recipe with no rye was judged the best tasting, and thus was born the base of what we now enjoy as Maker's Mark.

Their signature mash is 70% corn, 16% red winter wheat, and 14% malted barley.

This use of wheat and lack of rye made the pour more mellow, which exactly what Bill Samuels, Sr. set out to do.

He famously said "give me a bourbon that won't blow my ears off."

He purchased "Burk's Distillery" on October 1, 1953 and went to work.

Their iconic bottle developed by Bill's wife Margie Samuels. A University of Louisville graduate and the first woman in the distillation industry to ever be inducted into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame.

She believed what her husband had developed was unique, and decided she wanted the bottles to reflect that. From the hand-inked labels, to the shape of the bottle and signature red wax, Margie developed image of Maker's Mark that remains to this day.

It was said that the first bottle of Maker's Mark someone bought was because of the bottle Margie developed, and the second was because of what Bill put in the bottle.

The distillery name and "SIV" that has become the logo of Maker's Mark was also developed by Margie.

She was inspired by the stamp that pewter whitesmiths would put on their best work, much like a signature for highend craftsman, that was called a "Maker's Mark."

As for the "SIV" logo that has become a fixture of the brand, Margie started with a star that commemorated the Star Hill Farm where her family lived. The "S" in the logo stands for Samuels, an immortal commemoration of what she and her husband had built.

The IV came from her husband's status as a fourth generation distiller (it wasn't until years later they discovered he was actually a sixth generation distiller).

The distillery was given the same attention as the whiskey, having been created for all to come, walk the grounds, and feel at home while sampling their whiskey.

The walk between the buildings in the fall, bordered by trees and plants filled with varied swaths of color, makes for a beautiful backdrop and a photo-worthy destination.

Margie even made her husband bill formally agree that for every dollar that went into the bourbon, another would go into the restoration and renovation of the distillery grounds.

When Bill Samuels Jr. took over the distillery for his father and mother in 1975, they gave him one piece of sage advice: "don't screw up the whiskey."

Under his leadership, Maker's Mark developed an in-depth tour, diving into the history of Maker's Mark, as well as the Maker's Mark ambassador program which allows whiskey enthusiasts to follow the process by tracking their very own barrel of Maker's as it goes from mash to bottle.

He also was responsible for leaving his own mark on the distillery's history by creating Makers 46. It was the first innovation to the whiskey in over 50 years.

Since then, there are now multiple bottles, proofs, and single barrel blends that offer limitless enjoyment.

The trail that shoots through the grounds and into the rickhouses are full of art installations and made to feel a blend of innovation, history, art, and science.

It's quite the cool fusion that seems to create a consistent theme the whole time you're there. Even the new tasting rooms, while angular and modern, have a rustic feel to them that enhances the experience.

While seeing the historic side of things is great, so are innovation and creature comfort.

With Maker's hosting more whiskey enthusiasts than ever, it's nice to know they take the time and make the effort to create a comfortable and curated experience for their guests.

As per all great rides, Maker's has you exit into the gift shop where you can find all manner of Maker's swag to decorate you home bar or fill your drinkware cabinets.

You can also try your own hand at dipping a bottle. We had a blast doing it, and you get to take home a drinkable part of the experience.

We have to warn you though, it hurts your soul a little to crack open the wax and start pouring it. It took us a minute or so to rip it off because we were so happy having dipped our own bottle.