Maker’s Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Product Description

Maker’s Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon: The Handmade Wheated Bourbon in the Red Wax

Maker’s Mark is the wheated bourbon that changed the way we think about bourbon. In 1953 Bill Samuels Sr. bought the old Burks’ Distillery in Loretto, Kentucky, and set out to make a whisky he would enjoy drinking, one that was never bitter or sharp. He replaced the usual rye with soft red winter wheat, giving a full-flavored, easy-sipping bourbon. His wife, Margie Samuels, named it, drew the label, designed the squared bottle, and came up with dipping each bottle in red wax. The first bottles shipped in 1958.

The mash bill is 70% corn, 16% soft red winter wheat, and 14% malted barley. Maker’s Mark is made in small batches, and the distillery rotates every barrel by hand from the upper floors to the lower floors of the warehouse so the bourbon ages evenly. It ages to taste, not to a set number of years, then is bottled at 90 proof (45% ABV). Every bottle is still hand-dipped in the brand’s signature red wax at Star Hill Farm in Loretto, so no two look exactly alike.

What’s in the Bottle

• Kentucky straight bourbon, wheated mash bill (70% corn, 16% soft red winter wheat, 14% malted barley)
• Aged to taste, not time; barrels hand-rotated
• 90 proof (45% ABV)
• Maker’s Mark, Star Hill Farm, Loretto, Kentucky; hand-dipped in red wax

Tasting Notes

From Maker’s Mark’s own notes.

Aroma: Sweet oak, vanilla, bright fruit, and wheat.

Palate: Sweet, with a balance of oak, vanilla, and fruity essences.

Finish: Smooth and creamy, with a pleasant soft spice and a clean finish.

Food Pairings

The caramel and vanilla pair well with grilled chicken, barbecued pork, and burgers. It also goes with apple pie, bread pudding, and aged cheddar.

Serving Suggestions

Sip it neat or over ice. It’s a classic in an Old Fashioned, a Manhattan, or a Mint Julep, and its soft wheat sweetness makes a smooth highball with ginger ale.

Frequently Asked Questions

What proof is it? 90 proof (45% ABV).

Is it wheated? Yes, it uses red winter wheat instead of rye.

What’s the mash bill? 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley.

Why the red wax? Margie Samuels came up with the idea, and every bottle is still hand-dipped.

How old is it? It’s aged to taste, not to a set age, and the brand doesn’t state one.

Where is it made? Star Hill Farm, Loretto, Kentucky.

Explore More

Browse our Maker’s Mark collection or Bourbon collection, or step up to the Maker’s Mark 101 Proof, Maker’s 46 French Oaked, or Cask Strength.

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At Quality Liquor Store, we guarantee the authenticity and quality of every bottle we sell. All of our products are sourced directly from authorized distributors, and every order is carefully packaged to arrive safely at your door. Shop with confidence knowing your bourbon is in good hands.