makers mark

Maker’s Mark creates only one product at the historic distillery in Loretto, Kentucky. The signature hand-dipped red wax and SIV mark are symbols of its authenticity

Brand History

Maker’s Mark is the creation of Bill Samuels, Sr., a seventh-generation Kentucky distiller, and was born from one very simple idea. Make a bourbon whisky that was smoother and less harsh that folks would not only embrace, but would be happy to share with friends. So in 1953, he bought an abandoned Victorian distillery (now fully restored and a National Historic Landmark) in picturesque Happy Hollow, Kentucky, and set to work on making his dream a reality. After abandoning the old family recipe, he replaced the traditional bourbon flavouring grain of rye with red winter wheat, which produces the sweeter gentler taste that’s become the hallmark of the brand.

Maker’s Mark creates only one product at the historic distillery in Loretto, Kentucky. The signature hand-dipped red wax and SIV mark are symbols of its authenticity.

Short Timeline

• 1840: T.W. Samuels, a sixth-generation distiller, builds the family’s first commercial distillery at Samuels Depot, Kentucky.
• 1943: Bill Samuels, Sr., has his own unique vision for whisky, so he leaves the T.W. Samuels Distillery and burns the 170-year-old family recipe.
• 1951: Bill, Sr., experiments for several years with various ingredients before creating the Maker’s Mark recipe that we love today.
• 1980: The Maker’s Mark Distillery in Loretto, Kentucky, is declared a U.S. National Historic Landmark.
• 1990s: Maker’s celebrates 20 straight years of double-digit growth.
• 2000 – 2001: The success of Maker’s Mark allows us to expand our distillery, thereby doubling our capacity to make bourbon whisky.

Brand Information

Maker's Mark originated the small-batch category, and was America’s first premium bourbon.

Maker’s Mark is the only major bourbon producer still making their product by hand.
Completely handmade, from barrelling to the red wax seal dipping of each individual bottle.

The World’s No. 1 Super-Premium Bourbon

Annual volume: over 1 million cases.

Product Information

The World’s No.1 Selling Super-Premium Bourbon, the true standard for Super-Premium Bourbon around the World.

• ABV: 40%
• Aged: Fully Matured (Approx 6 Years)
• Colour: Rich and brilliant- flame orange.
• Nose: Distinctive caramel aroma from the oak and a hint of vanilla. Smells pleasant and inviting.
• Flavour: Full rich corn taste, with little bite, and the finish of a good cognac. Soft, complex and enjoyable.
• Finish: Clean, smooth and quick. It leaves a satisfying sensation of warmth.

Whats Unique about Maker's Mark?

What's unique about Maker's Mark production and ingredients compared to other bourbons?

Maker's Mark originated the small-batch category, and is the only major bourbon producer still making their product by hand.

It is the only American whisky to use exclusively pure, iron-free limestone spring water - this is vital to the product quality.
It is one of only a few bourbons to use soft red winter wheat, instead of spicier, bitter tasting rye - giving the product a smoother taste.

Maker's Mark age the bourbon to taste rather than schedule, usually after 6 years of maturing. They are the only bourbon distiller to rotate their barrels. It is produced in tiny batches of only 19 barrels, and the bottle is individually hand-dipped in hot sealing wax.

Signature Cocktail

Maker’s Mark Mint Julep

Depending on which history you read, the Mint Julep has roots dating back as far as the 1700s. But it wasn’t until 1938 that the tasty concoction was introduced as the traditional drink for toasting the winner of the Kentucky Derby. And it caught on in a big way. Today over 120,000 Mint Juleps are sold over the two-day period of the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby.

Now try your hand at making your own Mint Julep:

• Fresh mint
• 2 tbs. simple syrup* – muddled with mint
• 45 mL. Maker’s Mark
• Splash of distilled water
• Powdered sugar

Fill glass with crushed ice and pour mixture over top. Sprinkle top of ice
with powdered sugar. Garnish with a mint sprig.

* SIMPLE SYRUP

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup distilled water

Heat to dissolve sugar, stirring constantly so the sugar does not
burn. Set aside to cool.

For more information visit the website www.makersmark.com