Maker's Mark

The story of the Maker’s Mark brand began in 1953, when Bill Samuels Sr. set out to create a bourbon that would be smooth, balanced, and enjoyable to drink. Unlike traditional recipes, he replaced rye in the corn mash bill with soft red winter wheat, resulting in a bourbon whiskey with a characteristic sweetness, free of bitterness and harshness. This step forever changed the perception of American whiskey and introduced the world’s first premium bourbon.

An equally important role in the creation of the brand was played by Margie Samuels, the founder’s wife. She designed the iconic square-shaped bottle, handwritten label, the Maker’s Mark name, and above all the unmistakable red wax seal, into which each bottle is still hand-dipped to this day. Margie is also credited as a pioneer of “bourbon tourism.”

Every barrel of Maker’s Mark bourbon is hand-rotated and aged to taste, not time, at the historic Star Hill Farm distillery in Loretto, Kentucky. Thanks to its own limestone water source, the distillery has a unique advantage – pure, mineral-rich water ideal for bourbon production.

Today, the brand is led by the eighth generation of the Samuels family. Its portfolio includes not only the classic Maker’s Mark Bourbon Whiskey, but also modern variations such as special wood-finished editions. Maker’s Mark thus preserves its connection to tradition while introducing new innovations, remaining an icon among small batch bourbon whiskey.