The Ultimate Guide To Maker’s Mark Whisky

Today we will delve into the history of Maker’s Mark and discover how the Samuels family built a lasting bourbon legacy. 
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Maker’s Mark, a Kentucky-based operation, has become a globally renowned whisky brand since its inception (yes, Maker’s Mark spells whisky without the ‘e’). With small batch bottlings and an iconic red wax seal, the brand is beloved around the world. 

But how did Maker’s Mark turn a recipe based on loaves of bread and bottles dipped in red wax into a global brand that changed bourbon? Today we will delve into the history of Maker’s Mark and discover how the Samuels family built a lasting bourbon legacy. 

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Maker’s Mark: The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread

Let’s say you got your hands on the only copy of a 170-year-old family recipe for making bourbon. What would you do? Make bourbon, of course. 

That’s what Maker’s Mark founder Bill Samuels Sr. intended to do, until he accidentally burnt the recipe to a crisp along with a set of drapes. 

His wife Margie, however, had a solution. She baked loaves of bread with various grain combinations to create the right mash bill. One that would make a bourbon that wasn’t harsh. The Samuels felt people shouldn’t have to learn to love whisky. 

The Maker’s Mark mash bill, first produced in 1954, is still used today. Instead of the traditional choice of rye, the Samuel’s recipe contains soft red winter wheat. This proved to be one of many decisions that ended up setting Maker’s Mark apart.

How Margie Samuels Made Her Mark

Margie & Bill Samuels. Credit: Maker’s Mark

The name Bill Samuels might be the one people associate with Makers Mark. But Margie wasn’t just responsible for baking a new mash bill into life. It was her idea to use the name Maker’s Mark. She was inspired by the ‘maker’s marks’ that pewter whitesmiths put on their best work. 

She also came up with the look of the label – still cut on a hand-operated, 1935 Chandler & Price printing press today. 

The distinctive square bottle shape and red wax were inspired by her collection of 19th-century Cognac bottles. Margie even hand-dipped the first bottle herself. In 1958, the first wax-sealed bottles were released.  

Maker’s Mark bottles are adorned with a star for Star Hill Farm, the family’s Bardstown residence, an ‘S’ for Samuels, and the Roman numeral ‘IV’ to symbolize Bill’s status as a fourth-generation distiller. It was later discovered that Bill Samuels Snr. was a seventh-generation distiller (the first in the family to make whisky was Robert Samuels in 1783). The star is also said to honor Margie.  

It’s often said at the distillery that, while the whisky Bill made kept people coming back, it was Margie that was the reason most folks bought their first bottle of Maker’s Mark. 

Margie was also a pioneer of bourbon tourism. For every dollar the bourbon made, she would ask for a dollar to invest in the distillery. 

Margie Samuels was the first woman directly associated with a distillery to become a Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Famer. 

Why Does Maker’s Mark Spell Whisky Without The “E”?

You might notice that Maker’s Mark spells whisky without the “e,” unlike most American whiskeys. This reflects the brand’s connection to Scottish distilling traditions, where “whisky” is the standard spelling. It’s a nod to the heritage of the Samuels family.

Maker’s Mark Bourbon: A Family Tradition

While several brands have owned the Maker’s name, from Hiram Walker & Sons in 1981, then Allied Domecq in 1987, and now Suntory Global Spirits (acquired as Beam Suntory in 2014), the running of the distillery has remained in the family’s hands.

Bill Samuels, Jr. took over from his father, then in April 2011 his son Rob Samuels took over. He’s been around the distillery since the ripe old age of nine and has worked virtually every role. 

This family link means the brand adheres to tradition and doesn’t chase trends. Much of the process remains the same. They still hand-rotate the barrels and hand-dip the bottles. There’s an old joke at the distillery that goes, “If we could make it any faster, we wouldn’t.” In the 1960s and 1970s, Maker’s Mark marketed its whiskey with the tagline, “It tastes expensive … and is”, reflecting its premium status. 

How Is Maker’s Mark Whisky Made? 

The distillery. Credit: Maker’s Mark

Markers Mark whisky is made in the old Burks Distillery which Samuels Sr purchased in 1953 for $35,000.

The Maker’s Mark mash bill is 70% corn, 16% soft red winter wheat, and 14% malted barley. Local family farms in Loretto, Kentucky supply the grain. Mattinglys has provided Maker’s Mark with corn and the Petersons have with wheat for over 60 years now.  

The slower, more labor-intensive roller mill is still preferred over a hammer mill to mill the grains as the family believes it allows them to be precise with how each grain is processed. Maker’s Mark is also the only Kentucky bourbon distillery with a personal water source and watershed. The Kentucky limestone filters out iron and creates pure calcium- and magnesium-rich water. 

The yeast strain Maker’s Mark uses is more than 150 years old and it ferments in tanks made from cypress planks over a century old. The whisky is double distilled in Vendome Copper & Brass Works stills. These are an exact replica of the distillery’s original still set-up. 

The whisky is aged to taste, not time, but typically the whisky spends five to seven years inside number-three char virgin American white oak barrels. These are seasoned outdoors for nine months by the cooperage to remove the bitter tannins. 

The distillery rotates every 525-pound barrel by hand. Most larger distilleries automate this process. Each spends a minimum of three hot Kentucky summers in the top of the rackhouse before the batches are tested to determine which part of the warehouse each should mature in next. 

The whisky is then filtered and diluted to a considerable 45% ABV. For four days in February 2013, this strength was reduced but the backlash was so strong that Maker’s reversed its decision

What Types of Maker’s Mark Bourbon Are There?

The distillery launched a single barrel lineup in 1997 and over the years has had some cask strength editions, as well as a few limited-edition releases with signature labels. The only time it truly departed the Maker’s style, however, was its Mint Julep Liqueur. This speaks to the traditional, family-led approach we spoke of earlier. 

Maker’s Mark core range comprises:

Maker’s Mark 

The flagship bourbon is aged 5-7 years and features a mash bill of 70% corn, 16% wheat, and 14% barley. Its approachable profile makes it ideal for newcomers and cocktails.

Maker’s Mark 46

Maker’s Mark 46 was the first new major product release from this brand in 60 years, and even then the original recipe was used. But for this whiskey, French oak staves are added to the barrels, imparting bold spice and enhanced vanilla richness. The 46 refers to the stave recipe number used by the cooperage.

Maker’s Mark Cask Strength

Maker’s Mark Cask Strength manages to retain the distillery’s signature sweet wheat character but amplifies the flavors with bold oak, spice, and caramel thanks to the higher ABV.

What Does Maker’s Mark Whisky Taste Like?

Maker’s Mark features a higher barley and wheat content than many other bourbons, both of which contribute to its signature flavor profile: The former brings a distinct nutty and malty sweetness, while the high wheat replaces rye’s spiciness with a softer, smoother mouthfeel, leading to flavors of butterscotch, caramel, and vanilla. This mellower profile means Maker’s Mark is ideal for newcomers. 

Here is a full tasting note from Master of Malt. 

Nose: Fruity and rich. There are lovely notes of spiced honey and mixed peels, a little malmsey, hazelnut and a touch of cut fruit with toasty oak providing a backbone.
Palate: Rich and full. There are notes of rye and spice, barley malt, a little nut oil with butterscotch and vanilla.
Finish: Quite sweet with butterscotch and dry oak spice

Can I Dip My Own Bottle Of Maker’s Mark?

Credit: Master of Malt

Yes, if you head to the distillery you can see the bottles being dipped and even try it yourself. It’s also worth watching the various styles of the folks on the dipping line. Much like how people dip biscuits in their tea in the UK and Ireland, everyone is different. Some do a light dip, and others are no-nonsense dunkers!

Why Should I Buy Maker’s Mark Whisky?

In a world of trends and fleeting fads, Maker’s Mark is a brand of tradition and authenticity. Whether you like to sip your bourbon neat, use it to craft cocktails, or you’re searching for an elegant gift, Maker’s Mark manages to tick a lot of boxes at once. 

It’s whisky made the hard way, and the results speak for themselves. You could say that it’s a bourbon that truly leaves its mark. Is that a bit corny? Well, we are talking about bourbon here…

Adam O'Connell

Adam O'Connell serves as the Marketing Content Manager for Master of Malt, where he has contributed his writing talents to the company's blog, social media, guides, and product pages for the past seven years. He has also showcased his expertise in whisky through video presentations and live streams, and has even served as a judge for The Spirit of Speyside Festival Awards. Adam holds a BA in History and an MA in Intellectual History from the University of Sussex. His passion lies in delving into the rich history of whisky, but he also embraces the innovation and future of the spirit, constantly seeking out new and captivating stories to share.

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