146: Purposefully Inefficient - How Maker's Mark Became an Iconic Kentucky Bourbon

Bourbon Lens

Rob Samuels is our guest this week and we are honored to have this 8th generation of whisky-maker on our podcast. The Samuels family has long been known for founding Maker’s Mark Distillery in Loretto Kentucky. Rob is the Managing Director of Maker’s Mark and is a passionate story-teller ensuring his family’s history is told to the masses. Rob knows that Maker’s Mark is the result of a “purposefully inefficient handmade process” but recognizes the importance of it to his family, their legacy, and to the quality of their bourbon. After this episode, hopefully you will recognize that Maker’s Mark is about so much more than the whisky.

We are thankful for everyone who has supported us. A huge shoutout to our growing Patreon Community as well! We'd appreciate it if you can take the time to give us feedback on our podcast. If you enjoy our content, consider giving us a 5 star rating on your favorite podcast app, leave us a review, and tell a fellow bourbon lover about our show.

Follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter. And please check out our Patreon to learn how you can support our endeavors, earn Bourbon Lens swag, be part of future barrel picks, and more. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please email us at [e-mail].

Visit our website BourbonLens.com to check out our blog posts, or even purchase your own Bourbon Lens tasting glass or t-shirt.

Cheers,Scott, Jake, & MichaelBourbon Lens

* Dripping Wax Logo and Branding Courtesy of Maker's Mark

About Maker’s Mark® Bourbon

In 1953, in Loretto, Ky., Bill Samuels, Sr., fulfilled his dream to create a handmade and delicious bourbon. He decided to make his whisky in small batches, using soft red winter wheat to enhance the softness and sweetness. He then rotated each barrel by hand for consistency and, finally, aged each barrel to taste. Bill Samuels, Sr., transformed bourbon from a “commodity” into a premium handmade spirit, and today Maker’s Mark® continues to make its bourbon the same way. In recent years, Maker’s Mark has introduced thoughtful, super-premium innovations to its portfolio, including Maker’s Mark 46®, Maker’s Mark® Cask Strength and Maker’s Mark® Private Selection, the brand’s first-ever custom barrel program. For more information, visit www.makersmark.com.

Show Links:

• An Oral History of Bourbon Part II: Maker’s Mark’s Bill Samuels Jr. and Rob Samuels
• Maker's Mark | Handmade Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky
• Samuels Family | Our Story
• Maker's Mark: a brand history
• The LEE Initiative
• The LEE Initiative Partners with Maker's Mark® to Release "CommUNITY Batch" Bourbon with 100% of Proceeds Supporting the Hospitality Industry
• How Maker’s Mark Bourbon Is Made — From Barrel to Iconic Red Wax Seal
• Unique Kentucky Getaway - Vacation Rental by Makers Mark
• The Family Behind Maker's Mark Has Opened Their House for Overnight Stays
• The 25 Most Important Bourbons Ever Made | Food & Wine
• You Can Now Stay in the Original Kentucky Home of the Maker's Mark Family
• NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION
• The Core Bottles Of Maker's Mark Bourbon Whisky, Ranked
• Column: Maker’s Mark Barrel Entry Proof Experiment Proves Its Tradition Is Solid
• LEADERS Interview with Rob Samuels, Global General Manager and Chief Distillery Officer, Maker's Mark
• Earth Day Champions: UK Introduces World’s Largest American White Oak Repository and Genome Mapping Study With Maker’s Mark
• UK, Maker's Mark partnership leads to American white oak research | Lexington Herald Leader
• UK, Makers Mark collaborate to sustain American white oak with repository and genome mapping study
• Independent Stave Company