Maker’s Mark Master Distiller & Head Blender Depart For New Venture

Maker’s Mark, a beloved bourbon distillery in Kentucky, currently has a strong team leading the whiskey making operations there. Denny Potter, General Manager & Master Distiller, and Jane Bowie, Head of Innovation & Blending, produce a consistently well made series of expressions popular with consumers.

Now, in a move not unlike we saw with the recent departure of Jackie Zykan from Old Forester, Potter and Bowie are out the door at Maker’s Mark shortly for greener pastures.

Though details are scarce at this moment on what’s next for them or whiskey production at Maker’s Mark, here’s a word from Managing Director Rob Samuels on what’s going on exactly. This was just published in a newsletter from the brand.

Part of Maker’s Mark’s beautiful distillery. (image copyright The Whiskey Wash)

For nearly seven decades, Maker’s Mark has stayed true to the vision of our founders Bill and Margie Samuels…to be innovators of the craft and to make a Bourbon whisky that people want to enjoy drinking and sharing with friends. 

We’ve been incredibly fortunate over the years to have key individuals join our Maker’s Mark family who have been tremendous custodians of this legacy – people like Denny Potter, General Manager & Master Distiller, and Jane Bowie, Head of Innovation & Blending.

Just like our founders, Denny and Jane also have an entrepreneurial itch and have expressed a desire to blaze their own trails in the Bourbon industry with a new venture. While Denny and Jane will depart with our utmost thanks on Sept. 2, they will always be members of the Maker’s Mark family.

I simply can’t thank Denny and Jane enough for the tremendous impact they have had on Maker’s Mark around the world. I will be announcing their successors in due course and in the meantime, we will continue to create the highest quality bourbon and pursue an exciting future for this great brand.