Maker's Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
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2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition Double Gold Medal Winner
Maker's Mark offers aromas of woody oak, caramel, vanilla and wheat. On the palate, it is sweet and balanced, with caramel, vanilla and fruity essences. The finish is smooth and subtle.
Maker's Mark began with one family's quest to create a bourbon they enjoyed drinking and sharing with friends. That's hardly revolutionary today, but in 1953 it changed an industry.
Bill Samuels, Sr.'s quest to create Maker's Mark began with his only copy of the family's trusted, 170-year-old recipe. The one the sixth-generation distiller promptly set on fire, of course.
After accidentally burning a set of drapes in the process, Bill experimented with different flavoring grains, searching for a mash bill all his own. To save years of aging time, Bill baked several loaves of bread with various grain combinations instead of distilling them. His quick thinking not only saved time but also led him to swap out the traditional rye grain that is commonly used in bourbons, for soft, red winter wheat. This replaced the hot bite of rye with the delicate sweetness that Maker's is known for today.
Although Bourbon may be produced anywhere in the United States, it is most commonly associated with Bourbon County, Kentucky, where it has been produced since the late 18th century. Made from a mash bill containing at least 51% corn, the Bourbon Whiskey distillate must be aged in new, charred white oak barrels. Bourbon Whiskeys are bottled at eighty proof (40% abv) or higher and cannot contain any added color or flavor. A versatile spirit that can be sipped neat, with water or on the rocks, it also performs nicely added to cocktails like the Old Fashioned.