Maker's Mark facts for kids
Maker's Mark
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| Type | Bourbon whiskey |
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| Manufacturer | Beam Suntory |
| Country of origin | Loretto, Kentucky, U.S. 37°38′52″N 85°20′56″W / 37.64778°N 85.34889°W |
| Introduced | 1958 |
| Alcohol by volume | 45% |
| Proof (US) | 90 |
| Related products | Jim Beam |
Maker's Mark is a special kind of bourbon whiskey made in Loretto, Kentucky, in the United States. It's known for its unique square bottles sealed with red wax. This drink is made by a company called Beam Suntory. It is bottled at 90 U.S. proof, which means it has 45% alcohol by volume. You can visit the distillery on tours, and it's part of the American Whiskey Trail and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
The Story of Maker's Mark
How Maker's Mark Started
The story of Maker's Mark began in 1953. A man named T. William "Bill" Samuels Sr. bought an old place called "Burks' Distillery" in Loretto, Kentucky. He paid $35,000 for it.
Production of the bourbon started in 1954. The very first bottles were ready in 1958. These bottles already had the famous red wax seal that Maker's Mark is known for today.
A Famous Distillery
The distillery where Maker's Mark is made is very old and important. On December 31, 1974, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of places in the U.S. that are important to history.
Later, on December 16, 1980, it became a National Historic Landmark. It was called "Burks' Distillery." This was special because it was the first distillery in America to get this honor while still making products.
Changes Over Time
Over the years, the company that owns Maker's Mark has changed. In 1981, it was sold to Hiram Walker & Sons. Then, it became part of other big companies like Allied Domecq and Pernod Ricard.
In 2005, the Maker's Mark brand was sold to Fortune Brands. This company later split, and the part that made drinks became Beam Inc. In 2014, Beam Inc. joined with Suntory, a company from Japan, to form Beam Suntory.
Family Leadership
After Bill Samuels Sr. created the brand, his son, Bill Samuels Jr., took over. He led the company until 2011. Then, his son, Rob Samuels, became the new leader in April 2011. This shows how the family has continued to guide Maker's Mark.
A Big Decision and Customer Feedback
In 2013, the company thought about making the bourbon a little less strong. They wanted to reduce the alcohol from 45% to 42%. This was because they needed to make their supply last longer.
However, many customers were not happy about this idea. They really liked the original strength. So, after hearing from their customers, the company decided to keep bottling Maker's Mark at its original strength. This shows how much they listen to their fans.
New Products and Recognitions
In 2014, Maker's Mark released a stronger version called Maker's Mark Cask Strength Bourbon. It was first sold at their distillery gift shop. This version has a higher alcohol content, usually between 53% and 58%. It became available worldwide in 2016.
In 2015, Suntory announced that they would make the distillery even bigger. In 2019, Maker's Mark started selling another stronger version called Maker's Mark 101. This one is 101 U.S. proof.
How Maker's Mark is Made
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Burks' Distillery
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Historic Distillery
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| Nearest city | Loretto, Kentucky |
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| Area | 36 acres (15 ha) |
| Built | 1889 |
| Architect | George R. Burks |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000893 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | December 31, 1974 |
| Designated NHL | January 16, 1980 |
Special Ingredients
Maker's Mark is unique because it doesn't use rye grain, which is common in many bourbons. Instead, it uses red winter wheat, along with corn and malted barley.
When Bill Samuels Sr. was creating the recipe, he tried seven different mixtures of grains. He didn't have time to age each one. So, he baked a loaf of bread from each recipe. The one made without rye tasted the best to him.
Aging Process
Maker's Mark is aged for about six years. It's bottled when the company's tasters decide it's ready.
During aging, the barrels are moved from the upper to the lower parts of the warehouses. This is important because the temperature changes more on the upper floors. Moving the barrels helps make sure all the bourbon has the same great quality and taste.
What "Small Batch" Means
Maker's Mark is called a "small batch" bourbon. This means it's made in smaller amounts.
The company says that "small batch" means it's made in quantities of about 1,000 gallons or less. This is about 20 barrels from a mix of about 200 bushels of grain.
The Famous Bottle
The bottles of Maker's Mark are square and sealed with red wax. Bill Samuels' wife, Marjorie "Margie" Samuels, helped create the look of the bottle. She gave the whiskey its name, designed the label, and came up with the idea of dipping the bottles in wax. This unique look was introduced to the market in 1959.
Different Varieties
There are a few different kinds of Maker's Mark:
- The original, which is 90 U.S. proof (45% alcohol).
- A special mint julep flavor with green wax, sold at certain times of the year.
- Maker's 46, which is 47% alcohol. This one gets its special flavor from adding seared French oak staves (pieces of wood) to the barrel near the end of its aging.
Maker's Mark is one of the few American-made whiskies that spells "whisky" the Scottish way, without the "e."
Images for kids
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Maker's Mark Bourbon House and Lounge in Fourth Street Live!, Downtown Louisville
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The production line at the Maker's Mark distillery in Loretto, Kentucky
