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MAKER'S MARK FAMILY STORY
Maker's Mark® has been crafted the same way for three generations. We've spent decades taking our time making whisky and we wouldn't have it any other way.
MEET THE
Samuels family
Maker's Mark® began with one family's quest to create a bourbon they enjoyed drinking and sharing with friends. As the world's first premium bourbon, it changed the industry in 1953.
Bill Sr., The Visionary
Bill Samuels Sr., the engineer turned craftsman who elevated bourbon with his flavor vision.
Margie, The Creative Soul
Margie Samuels created packaging that would honor her husband's handmade bourbon. The shape of the bottle, look of the label, signature red wax and even the Maker's Mark® name are all thanks to Margie. Margie is also credited for inventing bourbon tourism.
Bill Jr., The Innovator
Bill Samuels, Jr. brought the brand from a Kentucky favorite to an American icon. His pioneering wood stave finishing set the course for Maker's Mark innovation today.
Rob, The Naturalist
Rob Samuels has been making his mark through the land as an 8th generation distiller. As Managing Director of the Maker's Mark Distillery, Rob's mission is to make Star Hill Farm a sustainable, culturally rich and endearing homeplace. All while meeting the world’s increased demand and ensuring every drop of Maker’s® is made the same way as the first.
OUR
Flavor Vision
Red Winter Wheat
This one changed the way we think of bourbon, all because one man changed the way he thought about making it. Bill Samuels, Sr., simply wanted a whisky he would enjoy drinking. Never bitter or sharp, Maker's Mark® is made with soft red winter wheat instead of the usual rye, for a one-of-a-kind, full-flavored bourbon that's smooth and balanced.
Bill found his ideal mash bill in the kitchen, cleverly testing mash bills through bread in order to quickly test recipes without distilling and aging. It's the red winter wheat that imparts the front-of-palate sweetness that Maker's® is known for.
Rotated by hand and aged to taste
To ensure consistency we rotate every barrel by hand and age our bourbon to taste, not time, in our solar powered warehouses. Each and every bottle of Maker's® is still hand-dipped in our signature red wax at our distillery in Loretto, KY., just like Bill Sr. would have wanted.
FOUNDING
Star Hill Farm
The limestone shelf where the distillery is located is key to crafting the unique taste of Maker's Mark® – the only distillery with its own water source and watershed. Kentucky limestone filters out iron from water, which is unpleasant in bourbon. The pure calcium- and magnesium-rich water surrounding the distillery makes better drinking water and a better sour mash in which yeast can flourish.
Surrounded by Nature
Star Hill and the land surrounding our farm is full of diverse plant and wildlife. The natural resources all around Star Hill Farm help nourish and protect our water reserve.
Historic and Enchanting
It's impossible not to be captivated by the beauty at Star Hill Farm. Beyond it's practicality, Bill and Margie were no doubt enchanted by the lush environment surrounding it. Maker's Mark distillery calls Star Hill Farm home and it's why we work so tirelessly to preserve it.
Wheated Bourbon,
Balanced Without Bite
Smooth, full-bodied flavor and a distinct hand-dipped red wax seal define our bourbon bottles.
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Maker's Family
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