Maker's Mark
It tastes expensive ... and is.
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Maker's Mark is a small-batch bourbon whisky produced in Loretto, Kentucky, by Suntory Global Spirits. It is bottled at 90 U.S. proof (45% alcohol by volume) and sold in squarish bottles sealed with red wax. The distillery offers tours and is part of the American Whiskey Trail and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
The brand originated when T. William "Bill" Samuels Sr. purchased the Burks' Distillery in Loretto for $35,000 in 1953. Production began the following year, and the first bottles were released in 1958 featuring the now-iconic dipped red wax seal. The whiskey’s name, label design, and wax-dipping concept were created by Samuels' wife, Marjorie. Unlike most bourbons, Maker's Mark uses no rye in its mash bill; instead, it employs a mixture of corn, red winter wheat, and malted barley.
Samuels developed seven candidate recipes, baking a loaf of bread from each to judge flavor without lengthy aging, and chose the wheat-based recipe as the best. The bourbon is aged for approximately six years, with barrels rotated between upper and lower warehouse levels to ensure consistent quality. It is marketed as a small-batch bourbon, with the producer defining that term as distilled in quantities of roughly 1,000 gallons or less.
The distillery earned National Historic Landmark status in 1980, the first active American distillery to receive such recognition. Over the decades, ownership passed through several companies, including Hiram Walker, Seagram, Allied-Domecq, and Fortune Brands, before becoming part of Beam Inc. In 2014, Beam was acquired by Suntory, forming Beam Suntory, which rebranded as Suntory Global Spirits in 2024. A 2013 plan to reduce the proof to 84 due to supply issues was reversed after strong customer backlash. The brand later introduced a cask strength variant and a 101-proof expression, and continues to be led by the Samuels family.
Lore & Background
Maker's Mark's origin began when T. William 'Bill' Samuels Sr. purchased the Burks' Distillery in Loretto, Kentucky, for $35,000 on October 1, 1953. Production began in 1954, and the first run was bottled in 1958 under the brand's dipped red wax seal. The distillery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 31, 1974, and designated a National Historic Landmark on December 16, 1980, listed as 'Burks' Distillery'.
Maker's Mark was sold to Hiram Walker & Sons in 1981, which was acquired by Seagram in 1987. In 2001, after Seagram's collapse, Allied-Domecq acquired Maker's Mark. When Allied-Domecq was bought by Pernod Ricard in 2005, the brand was sold to Fortune Brands. Fortune Brands split in 2011, with its alcoholic beverage business becoming Beam Inc. After the brand's creation by Bill Samuels Sr., its production was overseen by his son Bill Samuels Jr. until 2011 when he announced his retirement.
His son Rob Samuels succeeded him in April 2011. In January 2014, Beam Inc. announced its sale to Suntory, creating Beam Suntory. In May 2024, Beam Suntory was re-branded as Suntory Global Spirits.
Common Misconceptions (Editorial)
- Some people mistakenly believe that Maker’s Mark uses the American spelling “whiskey,” but the brand actually uses the Scottish spelling “whisky,” as stated in the facts.
- It is a common misconception that the wax seal originated solely as a marketing gimmick or practical innovation by the distillery itself, but in fact, Marjorie “Margie” Samuels came up with the wax dipping and gave the bottle its distinctive look.
- Some may assume that when the company proposed lowering the proof in 2013, it stood by the change, but the facts show the company reversed its decision after just eight days due to a strong negative customer reaction.
Why It Matters (Editorial)
Maker’s Mark endures as an icon of American bourbon craftsmanship, distinguished by its wheated recipe, unique bottle design, and the family-driven innovation that gave the brand its name and signature wax seal. Its recognition as a National Historic Landmark while remaining in active production underscores how tradition and continuity can coexist, making the distillery not just a producer of whisky but a living piece of Kentucky’s cultural heritage.
Reader's Guide
Maker's Mark is unusual in that no rye is used as part of the mash; instead it uses red winter wheat (16%), corn (70%) and malted barley (14%). It is aged for around six years, and barrels are rotated from upper to lower levels during aging. Three varieties are marketed: the original at 90 proof; a mint julep flavor with green wax released seasonally; and Maker's 46 (47% alcohol by volume).
As of 2021, Maker's Mark is now available at up to 57% alcohol content. In 2014, Maker's Mark released a Cask Strength Bourbon with proof fluctuating between 53% and 58% abv, released globally in July 2016. In June 2019, the company announced it would begin selling Maker's Mark 101 at their distillery.
Did You Know?
- Maker's Mark is one of a handful of American-made whiskies that uses the Scottish spelling 'whisky'.
- Maker's Mark has produced special edition bottles featuring Keeneland horses since 1997.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Maker's Mark and where does it come from?
It is a small-batch wheated bourbon distilled in Loretto, Kentucky, and currently produced under Suntory Global Spirits. The brand is instantly recognizable by its squarish bottle finished with a hand-dipped red wax seal.
Who founded Maker's Mark and when did production begin?
T. William 'Bill' Samuels Sr. bought the old Burks' Distillery on October 1, 1953, for $35,000, and the first run was finally bottled in 1958. That original red-wax dip has remained a signature of every bottle since.
What sets Maker's Mark apart from other bourbons?
Instead of rye, the mash bill uses wheat, which gives the spirit a noticeably softer, sweeter character. Combined with the 90 U.S. proof (45% ABV) bottling and the hand-applied wax seal, it reads as a premium, approachable bourbon.
Can you tour the Maker's Mark distillery?
Yes—the Loretto, Kentucky site welcomes visitors for guided tours and tastings. It is a designated stop on both the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and the wider American Whiskey Trail, making it a common destination for bourbon pilgrims.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Maker's Mark (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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