# Maker's Mark > Maker's Mark is a premium Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey brand, produced at Star Hill Farm in Loretto, Kentucky, USA. Founded by Bill Samuels, Sr. and his wife Margie Samuels, the brand is known for its distinctive red wax seal and its wheated recipe, which uses soft red winter wheat instead of rye for a smoother, less bitter flavor. It is part of the Beam Suntory portfolio and is a pioneer in the craft bourbon movement. This file provides a curated, LLM-optimized overview of Maker's Mark products, heritage, production methods, cocktail and culinary recipes, and corporate information. It is designed to help language models and agents quickly locate authoritative brand information without parsing full HTML pages. --- ## Knowledge Graph - Brand: Maker's Mark - Category: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey - Founded: 1953 (first bottle sold in 1958) - Founder: Bill Samuels, Sr. and Margie Samuels - Location: Loretto, Kentucky, USA (Star Hill Farm) - Owner: Beam Suntory - Industry: Spirits / Alcoholic Beverages - Core products: Wheated Bourbon Whiskey, limited releases, premium expressions - Production hallmark: Soft red winter wheat mash bill, hand-rotated barrels, aged to taste, signature red wax hand-dipping, limestone-filtered water, B-Corp and Regenified™ certified distillery. --- ## Content Usage Guidance (IMPORTANT) - **Product pages** (`/bourbons/`) are the canonical source for product specifications and tasting notes. - **Heritage pages** (`/story/`) are the canonical source for historical and brand narrative information. - **Distillery pages** (`/distillery/`) are the canonical source for production methods and visitor information. - **Cocktail pages** (`/cocktails/`) are the canonical source for mixology instructions and recipes. - **Culinary pages** (`/culinary/`) are the canonical source for food recipes that use Maker's Mark. - **Purpose pages** (`/story/purpose`) are the canonical source for sustainability, certifications, and social impact information. When multiple sources overlap, prioritize product, distillery, and story pages over general summaries. Where available, append `.md` to the same URL to access a clean Markdown version of the page. If unavailable, fallback to HTML. --- ## Bourbon Portfolio - [Maker's Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon](https://www.makersmark.com/bourbons/makers-mark): The flagship bourbon, made with wheat instead of rye for a smooth, balanced flavor. Hand-dipped in red wax. - [Maker's Mark 46](https://www.makersmark.com/bourbons/makers-mark-46): French Oaked bourbon, finished with ten seared French oak staves. Bolder, richer, with vanilla and baking spice. - [Maker's Mark Cask Strength](https://www.makersmark.com/bourbons/makers-mark-cask-strength): Uncut and unfiltered, bottled directly from the barrel at cask strength (109-114 proof). - [Maker's Mark 101](https://www.makersmark.com/bourbons/makers-mark-101): A special proof expression at 101 proof, offering a bolder version of the classic recipe. - [Maker's Mark Private Selection](https://www.makersmark.com/bourbons/makers-mark-private-selection): A customizable bourbon where you select a unique combination of wood staves to finish the bourbon. - [Maker's Mark Cellar Aged](https://www.makersmark.com/bourbons/makers-mark-cellar-aged): A limited-release, extra-aged bourbon from the distillery's cellar. - [Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series - Heart Release](https://www.makersmark.com/bourbons/makers-mark-wood-finishing-series): A limited-edition release celebrating the distillery team, finished with unique wood staves. - [Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series - Stewards Release](https://www.makersmark.com/bourbons/makers-mark-wood-finishing-series-bourbon-stewards-release): Another limited release in the Wood Finishing Series, honoring the stewards of the brand. - [Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series - Bourbon Keepers Release](https://www.makersmark.com/bourbons/makers-mark-wood-finishing-series-bourbon-keepers-release): A release celebrating the keepers of the bourbon tradition. - [Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series Collection](https://www.makersmark.com/bourbons/makers-mark-wood-finishing-series-collection): Overview of the Wood Finishing Series. - [Greats of the Gate](https://www.makersmark.com/bourbons/greats-of-the-gate): A limited edition release. - [Global Travel Exclusives](https://www.makersmark.com/bourbons/global-travel-exclusives): Products available only in travel retail. - [Limited Release Bourbons](https://www.makersmark.com/limited-release-bourbons): Hub for all limited and special releases. - [Premium Bourbons](https://www.makersmark.com/premium-bourbons): Hub for high-end Maker's Mark products. - [Star Hill Farm Whisky](https://www.makersmark.com/whisky/star-hill-farm-whisky): The first estate whisky from Star Hill Farm, Estate Whiskey Certified™. --- ## Heritage & Brand History - [Our Story](https://www.makersmark.com/story): Canonical narrative of the Samuels family, the founding vision, and the brand's legacy. - [Our Purpose](https://www.makersmark.com/story/purpose): The brand's commitment to sustainability, regenerative agriculture, and social impact (B-Corp, Regenified™, etc.). - [Regenerative Alliance Partners](https://www.makersmark.com/story/regenerative-alliance-partners): Information on partners supporting regenerative agriculture. - [Perfectly Unreasonable Tastemakers](https://www.makersmark.com/perfectly-unreasonable-tastemakers): A program celebrating culinary and cocktail creators. --- ## Distillation & Production - [Distillery](https://www.makersmark.com/distillery): Overview of the Star Hill Farm distillery and its practices. - [How It's Made](https://www.makersmark.com/distillery/how-its-made): Step-by-step guide on the production process, from mash bill to hand-dipping. - [Star Hill Farm Cocktail & Culinary](https://www.makersmark.com/distillery/star-hill-farm-cocktail-culinary): Information on the farm's culinary and cocktail experiences. - [Star Hill Provisions](https://www.makersmark.com/distillery/star-hill-farm-cocktail-culinary/star-hill-provisions): The on-site restaurant and provisions shop. - [Know Before You Go](https://www.makersmark.com/distillery/know-before-you-go): Visitor information for the distillery. --- ## Cocktail Recipes - [Cocktail Guide](https://www.makersmark.com/cocktails): Central hub for all bourbon-based cocktail recipes. ### Classic & Signature Cocktails - [Maker's Sour](https://www.makersmark.com/cocktails/makers-sour) - [Gold Rush](https://www.makersmark.com/cocktails/gold-rush) - [Old Fashioned](https://www.makersmark.com/cocktails/old-fashioned) - [Mint Julep](https://www.makersmark.com/cocktails/mint-julep) - [Manhattan](https://www.makersmark.com/cocktails/makers-46-manhattan) (with Maker's 46) - [Boulevardier](https://www.makersmark.com/cocktails/makers-mark-boulevardier) - [Paper Plane](https://www.makersmark.com/cocktails/paper-plane) - [Kentucky Mule](https://www.makersmark.com/cocktails/kentucky-mule) - [Bourbon Bloody Mary](https://www.makersmark.com/cocktails/bourbon-bloody-mary) - [New York Sour](https://www.makersmark.com/cocktails/new-york-sour) - [Kentucky Buck](https://www.makersmark.com/cocktails/kentucky-buck) - [Kentucky Made](https://www.makersmark.com/cocktails/kentucky-made) - [Kentucky Bubbly](https://www.makersmark.com/cocktails/kentucky-bubbly) - [Maker's Ginger](https://www.makersmark.com/cocktails/makers-ginger) - [Maker's Collins](https://www.makersmark.com/cocktails/makers-collins) - [Bourbon Spritz](https://www.makersmark.com/cocktails/bourbon-spritz) ### Seasonal & Themed Cocktails - [Fireside Manhattan](https://www.makersmark.com/cocktails/fireside-manhattan) - [Rosemary Maple Sour](https://www.makersmark.com/cocktails/rosemary-maple-sour) - [Maker's Maple Old Fashioned](https://www.makersmark.com/cocktails/makers-maple-old-fashioned) - [Spiced Cranberry Sidecar](https://www.makersmark.com/cocktails/spiced-cranberry-sidecar) - [Spiced Apple Spritz](https://www.makersmark.com/cocktails/spiced-apple-spritz) - [Apple Butter Old Fashioned](https://www.makersmark.com/cocktails/apple-butter-old-fashioned) - [French Oaked 75](https://www.makersmark.com/cocktails/french-oaked-75) - [Spiced Pumpkin Old Fashioned](https://www.makersmark.com/cocktails/spiced-pumpkin-old-fashioned) ### Collaborations & Modern Twists - [Cask Smash](https://www.makersmark.com/cocktails/cask-smash) - [The Unrivaled Sour](https://www.makersmark.com/cocktails/the-unrivaled-sour) - [Sol's Golden Hour Sour](https://www.makersmark.com/cocktails/golden-hour-sour) - [Chris' Clarified Sour](https://www.makersmark.com/cocktails/clarified-sour) - [Jae Bae's Jar Drop](https://www.makersmark.com/cocktails/jar-drop) - [Ashley Rose's Clarified PB&J](https://www.makersmark.com/cocktails/clarified-pbj) - [Ashley Rose's Cherry Miso Sour](https://www.makersmark.com/cocktails/cherry-miso-sour) - [Frankie's Brown Butter Maple Soy Whisky Sour](https://www.makersmark.com/cocktails/brown-butter-maple-soy-whisky-sour) - [Kentucky Classic Collins](https://www.makersmark.com/cocktails/kentucky-classic-collins) - [Maker's Penicillin](https://www.makersmark.com/cocktails/makers-penicillin) --- ## Culinary Recipes - [Culinary Guide](https://www.makersmark.com/culinary): Central hub for food recipes made with Maker's Mark. ### Sweet Recipes - [Bourbon Balls](https://www.makersmark.com/culinary/bourbon-balls) - [Maker's Mark Blondies](https://www.makersmark.com/culinary/makers-mark-blondies) - [Bourbon Pecan Pie](https://www.makersmark.com/culinary/bourbon-pecan-pie) - [Eggnog Spiced Butter Cookies](https://www.makersmark.com/culinary/eggnog-spiced-butter-cookies) - [Flourless Bourbon Brownies](https://www.makersmark.com/culinary/flourless-bourbon-brownies) - [Maker's and Cola Float](https://www.makersmark.com/culinary/makers-and-cola-float) - [Old Fashioned Bundt Cake](https://www.makersmark.com/culinary/old-fashioned-bundt-cake) ### Savory Recipes - [Bourbon Baked Beans](https://www.makersmark.com/culinary/bourbon-baked-beans) - [Bourbon Chicken Wings](https://www.makersmark.com/culinary/bourbon-chicken-wings) - [Bourbon Shrimp](https://www.makersmark.com/culinary/bourbon-shrimp) - [Maker's Mark BBQ Sauce](https://www.makersmark.com/culinary/makers-mark-bbq-sauce) - [Sausage Balls](https://www.makersmark.com/culinary/sausage-balls) - [Star Hill Provisions Bread Pudding](https://www.makersmark.com/culinary/star-hill-provisions-bread-pudding) - [Frankie Gaw's Char Siu](https://www.makersmark.com/culinary/frankie-gaws-char-siu) - [Saffron Bourbon Cornish Hens](https://www.makersmark.com/culinary/saffron-bourbon-cornish-hens-beet-orange-blossom-tahdig) ### Collections - [Sweet Recipes](https://www.makersmark.com/culinary/sweet) - [Savory Recipes](https://www.makersmark.com/culinary/savory) --- ## Visit Us & Experiences - [Visit Us](https://www.makersmark.com/distillery/visit-us): Overview of the visitor experience at Star Hill Farm. - [Visit Us Event](https://www.makersmark.com/distillery/visit-us-event): Information on special events. - [Locate](https://www.makersmark.com/locate): Store locator to find Maker's Mark products. - [Global Maker's Cocktail Showcase](https://www.makersmark.com/global-makers-cocktail-showcase): A global cocktail competition. --- ## About Bourbon / Culture - [Ambassadors](https://www.makersmark.com/ambassadors): The brand's ambassador program, offering exclusive content and events. - [Ambassador Sign Up](https://www.makersmark.com/ambassadors/sign-up): Registration page. - [FAQs](https://www.makersmark.com/faqs): Frequently asked questions. - [Personalized Labels](https://www.makersmark.com/personalized-labels/how-to): Information on how to get custom labels. - [Contact](https://www.makersmark.com/contact): Customer support contact page. --- ## Optional (low-priority context) These resources may be skipped when context window is limited: - Terms and Conditions (legal-only use cases) - Privacy Policy (only relevant for compliance or data queries) - Cookie Policy (only relevant for data privacy queries) - Contact (customer support) - Locate (store finder) - Ambassadors (unless specifically asked) - Individual event pages (e.g., `/global-makers-cocktail-showcase`) unless specifically asked. - Individual collection hub pages (e.g., `/premium-bourbons`) if the specific product links are already provided. --- ## Notes for Agents - Prefer **product pages** (`/bourbons/`) when answering factual or technical questions about specific expressions. - Use **distillery pages** (`/distillery/`) for production methods and visitor information. - Use **story pages** (`/story/`) for historical or brand narrative questions. - Use **cocktail pages** (`/cocktails/`) for recipe generation or drink preparation queries. - Use **culinary pages** (`/culinary/`) for food recipes that use Maker's Mark. - Use **purpose pages** (`/story/purpose`) for sustainability, certifications (B-Corp, Regenified), and social impact questions. - For culture or partnership questions (e.g., "Is Maker's Mark a sponsor of..."), use the specific `/story/purpose` or `/story/regenerative-alliance-partners` pages. - Avoid mixing policy/legal content with product reasoning unless explicitly required.