Maker's Mark - a whisky from Kentucky, by Beam Inc.

Maker’s Mark is a small-batch bourbon whisky that is distilled in Loretto, Kentucky, by Beam Inc. It is sold in distinctively squarish bottles, which are sealed with red wax, and bottled at 90 U.S. proof (45% alcohol by volume). The distillery offers tours, and is part of the American Whiskey Trail and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

Production of Maker's Mark started in 1954, after its originator, T. William "Bill" Samuels Sr., purchased the distillery known as "Burks' Distillery" in Loretto, Kentucky for $35,000.
The first bottle of Maker's Mark was bottled in 1958 and featured the brand's distinctive dipped red wax seal. Maker's Mark holds a U.S. trademark (serial number 73526578) on the wax seal of their bottles.

The distillery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 31, 1974, and designated a National Historic Landmark on December 16, 1980, listed as "Burks' Distillery". It was the first distillery in America to be so recognized where the landmark buildings were in active use for distilling.

Maker's Mark was sold to Hiram Walker & Sons in 1981, which sold it to distillery giant Allied Domecq in 1987, which in turn sold it to Deerfield, Illinois-based Fortune Brands in 2005.

After the brand's creation by Bill Samuels Sr., its production was overseen by his son Bill Samuels Jr. until 2011 when he announced his retirement as president and CEO of Maker's Mark at the age of 70. His son Rob Samuels succeeded him in April 2011.

On February 9, 2013 the company sent a mass e-mail announcing a plan to reduce the alcohol strength of the whisky – citing supply issues as the reason for the change. The result of this change would have been to reduce the product to 84 U.S. proof (42% alcohol by volume).

On February 17, 2013 the company said that it had reconsidered its decision after receiving a strong negative reaction from customers, and that it will continue to bottle at the original strength. Some overseas markets like Australia will continue to sell the whisky at 40%.

Mark’s Mark Bourbon is clear with a medium golden amber color. On the nose, the Maker’s Mark has a complex aroma of caramel, vanilla, orange rind, allspice, cardamom and mellowed out cloves. It is clear that clear that the flavors are derived from the charred oak barrels in which the Marker’s Mark rests for a number of years.

On the palate, the Maker’s Mark is smooth with a luscious mouth feel (you can feel the heat of the alcohol burn but it doesn’t affect the taste) with notes of caramel and burnt sugar on the back palate, butterscotch, vanilla, flamed orange peel and cardamom with a spicy kick. Well integrated components that result in a fiery, spicy, complex Bourbon with a long fish.