To finish off the first National Bourbon Heritage Month (September 2007) I traveled to the Maker's Mark Bourbon Whisky distillery to meet the people and see the operation behind one of my favorite bourbons. Maker's Mark is a hand crafted bourbon distilled in Loretto, Kentucky that portrays the sweet, non-bitter flavor Bill Samuels Sr. was looking for when he reinvented modern bourbon in the 1950's. During my stay I was able to speak with Maker's Mark President, Bill Samuels Jr., and Master Distiller, David Pickerell, both gentlemen are a wealth of bourbon knowledge, stories and history and a true pleasure to have a conversation with. This image gallery is filled with the picturesque scenes of the distillery along with all the details of creating such a distinguished distilled spirit.
- Start Off RightMaker's Mark Bourbon Whiskey Distillery
- Bourbon GrainsBill Samuel's Jr.'s Bar - Maker's Mark Bourbon Whiskey
- Cooking the GrainsWood fermentation tanks at the Maker's Mark Bourbon Whiskey Distillery.
- The Fermentation RoomFermentation tank at the Maker's Mark Bourbon Whiskey Distillery.
- Where the Yeast is BusyFermentation tank at the Maker's Mark Bourbon Whiskey Distillery.
- Distillers BeerDistiller's beer pours into the beer wells at Maker's Mark Distillery.
- Double DistillationCopper pot stills at Maker's Mark Bourbon Whisky Distillery
- Copper Pot StillsCopper pot stills at Maker's Mark Bourbon Whisky Distillery
- Preparing for the BarrelEmpty bourbon barrels waiting to be filled at Maker's Mark Bourbon Whiskey Distillery.
- The Importance of a BarrelA cut bourbon whiskey barrel is used to demonstrate the charring inside at Maker's Mark Distillery.
- The Barrel's ConstructionAging whiskey barrels at Maker's Mark Bourbon Whiskey Distillery.
- Rotation is KeyThis model is designed to show visitors the theory Maker's Mark uses to rotate their barrels.
- Graphic Index
- Text Index