Marker’s Mark Distillery
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Company: Beam Suntory
Location: Loretto, KY
Date Established: 1953
Legacy Names: Burk Distillery
Production Volume: 2.3 Million cases per annum (approximately 400 barrels of whiskey per day)
Master Distiller: Denny Potter
Website: www.makersmark.com/en-us/
Products:
Maker’s Mark Original – The classic bourbon made with soft red winter wheat (70% corn; 16% wheat; 14% malted barley).
Maker’s Mark 46 – This same mash bill as the original Maker’s Mark, 46 is enhanced with aging in barrels with French oak staves.
Maker’s Mark Cask Strength – The same mash bill as the original Maker’s Mark bottled at cask strength to preserve its intensity.
Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged – Aged in a limestone cellar, this variant offers a unique blend of aged bourbons.
Maker’s Mark Private Selection – A program that allows customization of the flavor profile using different wood staves.
Maker’s Mark 101 – A higher proof version of the original Mash Bill for a stronger flavor.
Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series – A series that varies annually, focusing on different wood-finishing techniques to enhance flavor profiles.
History:
The Samuels family, with roots stretching back over 250 years in Kentucky, has played a pivotal role in the evolution of American whiskey. The family’s distilling legacy began with Robert Samuels, who served in George Washington’s Continental Army and later settled in Kentucky with a 60-gallon copper still in 1784. Robert’s descendants, including his son John and grandson T.W. Samuels, continued this tradition. T.W. established the family’s first commercial distillery in 1844 in Nelson County, which produced the successful T.W. Samuels Straight Bourbon Whiskey for over a century.
In the early 1950s, the legacy took a significant turn with Bill Samuels Sr., T.W.’s great-grandson. Bill felt the traditional family bourbon recipe was too harsh and, after selling the old distillery, he literally burned the family recipe to start anew. Along with his wife Margie, Bill crafted a more refined and accessible bourbon that would eventually become Maker’s Mark. They purchased a distillery in Loretto, Kentucky, with distinctive Victorian-style architecture, featuring its own limestone-filtered water source, which became the foundation for Maker’s Mark Distillery. This marked a transformation in bourbon production, elevating it from a bottom-shelf staple to a premium category leader. Today, under the guidance of Rob Samuels, the eighth-generation distiller, Maker’s Mark continues to embrace sustainable practices and innovation while holding true to the handcrafted techniques that defined its past.
Bill Samuels Sr. aimed to make a whiskey that was pleasant to drink without the harshness typically associated with traditional bourbons. Instead of using rye, which was common in bourbon recipes at the time, he chose to experiment with red winter wheat. This choice was pivotal, as it imparted a milder and sweeter flavor to the whiskey. To refine his recipe quickly without waiting for years of aging, Bill used an innovative method by baking bread with different grain recipes to assess their flavors.
Margie Samuels, Bill’s wife, also played a crucial role in defining the brand’s iconic image. She designed the distinctive packaging, which included the square-shaped bottle and the hand-dipped red wax seal that makes Maker’s Mark recognizable. Furthermore, she is credited with inventing bourbon tourism, turning the distillery into a visitor attraction that helped build the brand’s identity and draw in whiskey enthusiasts.
Throughout the decades, Maker’s Mark has grown significantly but has maintained its commitment to craft and tradition. This dedication is evident in their meticulous production process, where each bottle is still hand-dipped in wax and the bourbon is aged to taste rather than time, ensuring consistent quality over the years.
In 2014, Maker’s Mark was acquired by Beam Suntory, joining one of the largest distilled beverage producers in the world, yet the Samuels family continues to play a vital role in its operations. Under the guidance of Rob Samuels, the eighth-generation whiskey maker, Maker’s Mark respects its heritage while embracing innovation, as seen in their releases like Maker’s Mark 46 and the Wood Finishing Series.
