We get that one a lot: Maker’s Mark^® FAQs

Loretto, Kentucky, is located about an hour and a half south of Louisville, Kentucky. Star Hill Farm is located at 3350 Burks Spring Rd., Loretto, KY, 40037. 

From Louisville: Driving time: Approximately 1 hour, 30 minutes. 

• Take I-65 South from Louisville to exit #112, Clermont/Bernheim Forest exit. At ramp turn left onto Hwy. 245 South to Bardstown. 

• Take Hwy. 245 to intersection of Hwy. 62, turning right, and continue on Hwy. 62 east for approx. 2 miles. Hwy. 62 runs into Hwy. 150 where you will turn left and continue approx. 2 miles and drive past My Old Kentucky Home State Park. 

• At intersection of Hwy. 150 and 49, turn right onto Hwy. 49 South and follow the brown historical landmark signs to Holy Cross, which will direct you to go left onto Hwy. 49. 

• Follow Hwy. 49 where you will turn left onto Hwy. 52 East into Loretto. 

• Continue on through Loretto. 

• Turn left onto Bill Samuels Jr. Rd. and historic Maker’s Mark® Distillery is straight ahead. 

From Lexington: Driving time: Approximately 1 hour, 15 minutes. 

• Take U.S. 60 West 6 miles to Martha Layne Collins Blue Grass Parkway. 

• Merge onto the Parkway toward Elizabethtown and drive 30 miles to the Springfield/Lebanon exit (Exit 42). 

• Take the exit and turn left toward Springfield/Lebanon on KY 555 S. 

• Turn right onto Lebanon Bypass KY 2154. 

• Turn right on KY 49. 

• Turn right on KY 52. 

• Turn right on Bill Samuels Jr. Rd. 

From Nashville: Driving time: Approximately 3 hours. 30 minutes. 

• Take I-65 North to Elizabethtown, Ky., to Bluegrass Parkway East. 

• Continue to Bardstown Exit #25. 

• Turn left at the exit onto Hwy. 150. 

• Turn left onto Hwy. 49 South (at McDonald's). 

• Follow Hwy. 49 where you will turn left onto Hwy. 52 East into Loretto. 

• Continue on through Loretto. 

• Turn left onto Bill Samuels Jr. Rd. and historic Maker’s Mark® Distillery is straight ahead.

By joining The Whisky Drop by Maker’s Mark^®, you certify and acknowledge that: 

• You are over the age of 21. 

• Any delivery address designated by you is located in a territory where direct shipments of distilled spirits from manufacturers are permitted and where alcoholic beverages, including distilled spirits, may be lawfully sold and received. 

• You agree to receive four quarterly shipments from The Whisky Drop by Maker’s Mark^®. 

     o Only one subscription per person, per household is permitted. 

• Your method of payment will be charged the shipment cost when the shipment is processed. 

     o You can cancel your subscription up to two days prior to each shipment. 

     o The Whisky Drop by Maker’s Mark^® has a limited number of memberships; therefore, once a membership is cancelled, you will be removed from that shipment and all future shipments. 

     o For any failed credit/debit card payment, we will attempt to reprocess the card for a total of three times during one business week. After three failed re-attempts, you will forfeit the shipment and your membership will be cancelled. 

• The Whisky Drop by Maker’s Mark^® products are for personal consumption only, are not for resale and will not be resold or introduced to commerce. 

• All items are final sales. Returns and refunds will not be accepted. If you have issues with The Whisky Drop by Maker’s Mark^® please contact us. 

• Delivery of The Whisky Drop by Maker’s Mark^® products will be executed via UPS. You, or another recipient at least 21 years of age, must be physically present to accept delivery. 

     o Verification of a valid ID and signature is required at the time of delivery 

     o Products will not be delivered or left at the delivery address unless you or another recipient at least 21 years of age is present to receive the products, provide a valid ID verifying you or the recipient is at least 21 years of age and sign a paper or electronic acknowledgement of receipt. 

     o Please check your inbox for email communications from UPS for details on your shipment. 

     o UPS will attempt to deliver products three times. Failure to accept delivery will result in product’s return to Maker’s Mark^®. Your payment method will be credited the subscription price minus the cost of shipping within 30 days of the return’s processing by Maker’s Mark^®.

Because we want to ensure the highest quality of service, we require reservations for all distillery visits. Please note the maximum group we can accommodate for the complimentary tour is a party of four and depends on availability. Log into your Whisky Drop account to schedule your complimentary tour.

That’s a bummer! Contact us, and we will be happy to help. Select Shipping/Delivery Questions under the Whisky Drop – Membership Program and include a description of the damage. You may be asked to provide photos of the damage.

Yes, you will have the ability to skip a particular Drop without having to cancel your membership. Shipment skipping is limited to one time per calendar year. For each Drop, members will receive in the pre-shipment email a specific timeframe in which they can opt out. After that deadline date has passed, members cannot skip and will receive the Drop. Members can access the skipping feature in your Whisky Drop account under the Orders tab.

You will receive a pre-shipment notification via email before each seasonal shipment, sent approximately two weeks prior to the shipping date. This email will let you know about important shipment information, including which whiskies will be featured, how much the shipment will cost, and a specific cut-off date for skipping the Drop. 

Once payment is processed, you will receive an order confirmation email and another email from UPS with tracking numbers once your package has shipped.

When The Whisky Drop by Maker's Mark® membership is at full capacity, consumers living in eligible locations will have the ability to join the Waitlist. As membership spots become available, Waitlist members will automatically be added into the program as an active Whisky Drop member and notified via email. Once added as an active member, you will start to receive the quarterly shipments. 

We will retain your information on the Waitlist for a 12-month period. If you have not been added as an active member in that timeframe, we will delete your saved records.

In addition to receiving whisky shipments delivered right to your door featuring our newest releases and limited release whiskies, you will also enjoy the following:

- Updates on distillery news and events.

- One complimentary tour for a group of up to four people at the distillery in Kentucky.

We’re always adding new benefits. Be on the lookout for announcements from Maker’s.

No worries! If you missed your graduation window, you are still more than welcome to take your Golden Ticket Tour and claim your personalized bottles. The bourbon in your bottles won’t be from your specific batch, but it will still be the same handmade Maker’s Mark^® you know and love.

You can book your Golden Ticket Tour here. Keep in mind that we’re only booking tours about 6 weeks out, so if you don’t see the dates you’re interested in on the website, check back with us a little closer to your visit.

Of course! If you aren’t able to make it down during your graduation window, you’re welcome to have a friend or family member stop by to pick up your bottles in your place. They’ll just need your Ambassador ID number.

Unfortunately, no. We are unable to mail your Ambassador bottles. If you’re afraid you may miss your window, you can always claim your personalized bottles later. They won’t have bourbon from your specific batch, but it will still be the Maker’s Mark^® you know and love, and you’ll still be able to hand-dip them!

Just stop by the Homeplace here at Star Hill Farm and check in with our team. Once they identify your account, they’ll get your bottles set and waiting for you to dip at the Gift Shop. 

No RSVP is necessary if you’re just stopping to pick up your bottles, but if you are planning on getting more than 9 it’s very helpful to give us a heads up so you don’t have to wait any longer than necessary!

Once we’ve marked your barrel as mature, you’ll receive an announcement and all the instructions you’ll need! You’ll have a six-month window to purchase bottles from your Ambassador batch. Those windows run from April 1-Sept 30, and Oct 1-March 31. 

You’ll be eligible for a free Golden Ticket Tour for you and one guest! Keep in mind that we’re only booking tours about 6 weeks out, so if you don’t see the dates you’re interested in on the website, check back with us a little closer to your visit. While you’re here, you’ll be able to purchase and dip your personalized Ambassador bottles as well. Just tell our team how many you’d like to purchase when you arrive!

We are here to help! Whether you need assistance updating your account, have a question about a recent shipment or just want to chat about whisky, we would love to hear from you. Please contact us and select “Whisky Drop – Membership Program."

At this time, we do not have a gifting option available. However, once it’s delivered, we always encourage you to share Maker’s^® with a friend!

We are not able to accept returns. Be sure to keep an eye out for email announcements about upcoming shipments, and you can decide if you want to skip one or not.

Applicable law requires a signature of someone 21 or older for all deliveries that contain alcohol. Carriers cannot leave shipments on stoops or in doorways.

Due to the limited availability of The Whisky Drop by Maker’s Mark^®, you cannot pause your membership. However, you can skip one shipment per calendar year.

In addition to the cost of each shipment, your order confirmation email will show taxes charged based on your state of residence: 

• Kentucky – sales tax (6%), alcohol wholesale tax (11%) and alcohol state excise tax ($1.92/gallon) 

• Nebraska – sales tax (5.5%) and applicable local city sales tax 

• New Hampshire - alcohol fee (8%) 

• North Dakota – alcohol sales tax (7%) and applicable local county and city sales taxes

• Washington, D.C. – alcohol sales tax (10.25%)

There is no annual fee to be a member. You may join any time throughout the year, subject to availability. Each shipment will cost between $150 and $250, depending on the products included in each Drop. The credit card on file will be charged approximately one week ahead of each shipment. The charge may appear as “Jim Beam Brands Co.” and will consist of the retail value of the subscription—which includes a flat-rate shipping fee—and any applicable tax. 

For any failed credit/debit card payments, we will attempt to reprocess the card for a total of three times during one business week. After three failed attempts, you will forfeit the shipment and your membership will be canceled.

Currently, The Whisky Drop by Maker’s Mark^® is only open to consumers in Kentucky, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota and Washington, D.C., living in a territory where direct shipments of distilled spirits from manufacturers are permitted and where alcoholic beverages, including distilled spirits, may be lawfully sold and received. 

Visit The Whisky Drop by Maker's Mark® to sign up by entering your shipping zip code under Get the Whisky Drop. 

If you live in a location not yet eligible for the program, you will be directed to join our Mailing List, and we will notify you via email if we begin shipping to your area. 

Because of the program has limited availability, you may be directed to complete our Waitlist form until spots are available. But do not worry! Once a spot opens, you’ll be automatically added and notified.

Joining The Whisky Drop will allow you to receive unique shipments of whisky from the Star Hill Farm, delivered right to your doorstep! Members receive four quarterly shipments per year. 

Other than the whisky, you will also receive exclusive content, virtual tastings, news from Star Hill Farm, a complimentary tour of campus, and invitations to events in your area!

Loretto, Kentucky, is located about an hour and a half south of Louisville, Kentucky. Star Hill Farm is located at 3350 Burks Spring Rd., Loretto, KY, 40037.

Only licensed service animals are welcome on campus, and we do not have a care place for pets to wait while you are on campus.

Yes, children are allowed on our basic Maker’s Mark Tour, they just can’t participate in the tastings! Currently, you do not need a separate ticket for your child.

Yes, our campus is wheelchair accessible. The tours are comprised of several historical buildings and some have spots that are a little narrow or uneven, but we are capable of negotiating around them. 

There is also a shuttle to help transport you from the Homeplace down to the heart of campus. Just ask our team how to take advantage of it when you check in!

Yes and no. Star Hill Provisions® is our on-site restaurant, but it’s temporarily closed for some new updates! Our new bar at the Homeplace is open, however, and is a great place to enjoy a Maker’s flight or some Star Hill Farm-sourced cocktails!

Absolutely! You won’t have access to some of the buildings or to the guided tastings without a tour reservation, but you’re welcome to come and see campus, enjoy a cocktail at the Homeplace bar, and dip your own bottles in our iconic red wax!

You can read about our tours, check availability, and book your tours on this page! 

Keep in mind that we are only booking tours about 6 weeks out. If you’re looking for a date within that window but don’t see it available, there’s a chance all of our tours are full on that day. If you’re looking for dates after that window, check back a little closer to your target dates!

Of course, you can! There’s no need to make a reservation for this, just head down to the gift shop next time you visit Star Hill Farm. Our team will walk you through the process so you can dip your bottles in our iconic red wax!

We are unable to offer special wax dips, but you can get personalized labels printed and mailed to you for free! Go to this site, build your label from the templates, and fill in your mailing information. Once your label arrives, apply it to any 750ml bottle!

Unfortunately, no, we can’t ship any bottles from the gift shop. If you’re flying home, we recommend checking with your airline to see what kind of allowances they make for bottles in checked luggage.

You can certainly check out our online store for all kinds of merchandise and gift ideas!

Of course! The gift shop stays open 1.5 hours after the last tour departs from the Homeplace. Just ask any of our team members for directions and they’ll be glad to point the way! Please note that no cash is accepted at this time. 

Unfortunately, we are unable to ship any bottles from our gift shop so be sure to plan how to get them home if you’re flying!

No, we are unable to host private events at this time.

We are open 7 days a week: Monday-Saturday, 9.30a-5p; Sunday 10a-5p. 

We do not give tours on Easter Sunday, the 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, or New Year’s Day.

The Private Selection barrel program allows bars, restaurants, and retailers a chance to craft their very own expression of Maker’s Mark. If you’re interested, reach out to your Maker’s Mark Diplomat through your distributor to get more information!

The Ambassador Program is the best way for you to get to know Maker’s Mark more closely! Ambassadors are the first to receive news about new releases, events in their area, and other insider news from Star Hill Farm. 

Ambassadors are also invited to follow their own Barrel Journey. They are each assigned to a barrel and receive updates about that barrel’s progress throughout its life. Once an Ambassador’s barrel has matured, they are invited down for a free tour of Star Hill Farm and have the opportunity to purchase and hand-dip personalized bottles from their barrel’s batch!