Maker's Mark

Maker's Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is one which in the Maker's Mark distillery (originating from the Star Hill Farm ) in Loretto, Kentucky, is produced. The distillery founded in 1889, is derived for five generations, the family of Samuel, it is in the private possession of it. Decorated in shades of red and brown restored wooden buildings of the distillery are from the period before the American Civil War. The operation will be led by Bill Samuels Jr. currently.

The recipe of Maker's Mark whiskey (as opposed to other American whiskeys is here " whiskey " without the "e ", written ) developed Bill Samuels sen. in 1953 together with applicable than "Whiskey Godfather " Pappy Van Winkle.

Production

For the production of Maker's Mark a mash with 70 percent of corn is used, the remaining 30 percent is made up of malted barley and winter wheat. In contrast to almost all other distilleries of Kentucky no rye is used in Maker's Mark, which makes for a mild flavor. Other differences are found in the manufacturing process. On the one hand, the grain not, as is common practice ground, but squeezed in a special roller mill. This procedure is gentler on the grain, as it is not heated so strongly and so the natural flavor is not altered. Furthermore, in the cooking of the grain is no printing process is used, whereby the cooking is prolonged to about 8 hours. The up to 78 hours long fermentation takes place fermenters old cypress wood in about 100 years. After fermentation follows in several steps, the double distillation and finally the four-to seven-year aging in charred white oak barrels.

Production quantity and varieties

Approximately 40 barrels of whiskey are produced at Maker's Mark per day (equivalent to approximately 4000 liters), so that the production volume compared to other American premium distilleries producing, on average, 15 times the amount is very small. The bottling takes place after the expiry of the period of storage in specially shaped, tapering downward, bulbous - shaped bottles (mostly 0,7 l, 1,0 l also rare, for America and 1/2 gallon, which is about 1.89 l). The bottles are sealed manually from tradition with wax running down the bottle neck. Is used addition to the main product for the red wax ( Red Seal ), there are also variants with black ( Black Seal ) and golden wax seal ( Goldenseal ), and from time to time special bottlings in very small amounts. The Maker's Mark Red Seal has after bottling on an alcohol content of 45% by volume of the other two varieties have a higher alcohol content.

Production site and sales

Production in Loretto can be visited and viewed. Sense of tradition is very important and is a selling point, the existing buildings and production facilities (buildings, fermentation, storage) are largely in the historic original condition.

Maker's Mark is exported to 22 countries. Especially great success, the product in Japan. In Germany, Maker's Mark whiskey has been available since 1988.