To open a bottle of Makers Mark, you will need something to break the wax seal. This could be a knife, a wooden stick, or a specialised wax seal peeling tool. Gently break away the wax seal by loosening it from the top of the bottle.
Once the seal is removed, use a bottle opener to pry off the metal cap. Be careful to not over twist the opener as you could break it. To safely open the bottle, place the opener on top of the top of the cap and twist slowly, until the opener catches onto the cap.
Open the bottle by pulling down on the top of the opener.
Next, pour the contents of the bottle into desired serving glass. Makers Mark recommends not to pour more than 1.5 ounces per serving, so be mindful of how much you are pouring. Cheers!
Can you do a tasting at Makers Mark without the tour?
No, you cannot do a tasting at Makers Mark without the tour. All experiences, scheduled tours and tastings require a ticket purchased through their online ticketing system prior to arrival. The tour portion of their experience provides a comprehensive overview of their operation and how they craft their whiskey.
During the tour, you will be taken to the historic distillery and walk through the property to learn more about the process of making whiskey. Then, the tasting portion allows visitors to sample a few of the bourbons made on the property, taught by guest ambassadors.
Finally, you’ll have a chance to purchase a bottle of your favorite Makers Mark whiskey and also purchase gifts in their gift shop. Without the tour and tasting portion, you will not be able to sample the delicious Makers Mark whiskey or learn more about how they craft their whiskey.
What is special about Makers Mark?
Makers Mark is a premium brand of bourbon whiskey produced in Loretto, Kentucky by Beam Suntory. The bourbon is made by taking a high-grade wheat-rye mash and double distilling it in copper stills. The bourbon is then aged in new oak barrels that have been charred and sealed with a red wax.
This is what creates Makers Mark’s signature flavor and its iconic red wax seal. It is characterized by a sweet, wheaty nose, with hints of wood, caramel and vanilla. On the palate, Makers Mark is smooth and mellow with notes of caramel, spice and oak.
The finish is full-bodied and complex. The high-quality wheat-rye mash and the distinctive aging technique set Makers Mark apart from other bourbons. Additionally, the process of marking its red wax seal onto each bottle makes Makers Mark truly one-of-a-kind.
In 2013, it was inducted into the prestigious Bourbon Hall of Fame. To this day, Makers Mark remains one of the leading brands in our nation’s bourbon whiskey.
Which Makers Mark is rare?
Makers Mark Private Select, a rare expression from Maker’s Mark, is one of the rarest whiskies available from the distillery. This special edition expression is made from a unique blend of 10 different barrels of whiskey.
Each barrel was hand-selected by Maker’s Mark’s Head Distiller emeritus, Bill Samuels Jr. , and then brought together in a special blending process. The whiskey has notes of oak, dark cherry, and dark chocolate, with subtle spice and smoky flavors.
Like all Maker’s Mark expressions, it is aged in charred American oak barrels and bottled at 90 proof. It is only available in select stores and limited bars, further adding to its rarity.
Is Makers Mark good quality?
Yes, Maker’s Mark is a high-quality bourbon. It has a smooth taste with lots of caramel, vanilla and oak flavors. The distillery has been producing bourbon for over 60 years, and their expertise shows in every bottle.
They age their bourbon for 6-7 years in oak barrels, allowing the flavors of the spirit to fully develop. Maker’s Mark sets itself apart from other bourbons with its red wax sealed bottle, guaranteeing its authenticity and signifying its above-average quality.
Additionally, their alcohol by volume level is 45%, which is lower than most other bourbons, resulting in a milder and more mellow flavor. All these factors contribute to Maker’s Mark being a top notch bourbon and an excellent choice for any whiskey connoisseur.
Is Makers Mark considered top shelf?
Makers Mark is generally considered to be a “top shelf” whiskey. It has a 90-proof rating, a sweet and mellow aroma, and a smooth, balanced flavor that is said to be perfectly balanced on the tongue.
It’s a high-quality whiskey that has been a staple of the whiskey industry since its creation in 1958. People who prefer a milder flavor may find Makers Mark to be a great choice. The whiskey is the product of strict quality standards and a blending process that combines corn, wheat, and malted barley for a unique flavor profile.
Its distinctive red wax seal adds to its appeal, making it one of the most recognizable whiskeys in the world.
Why does Makers Mark taste different?
Makers Mark has a unique flavor that is often attributed to the special ingredients and aging process that the whisky goes through. The primary step in creating the distinct flavor of Makers Mark is to start with the base mash ingredients.
The grains used are corn, wheat, and barley, which give the whisky a slightly sweet and clean flavor. These grains are then distilled in copper pot stills to create the signature whiskey.
After the distilling process, Makers Mark goes into the aging barrels. It ages in oak barrels for at least six years before being bottled. During the aging process, the whisky absorbs the flavor and color of the wood, giving it a unique taste.
While aging, the whiskey also evaporates off the oak barrels, resulting in the distinctive Makers Mark aroma.
Finally, the whisky is reduced with soft red winter wheat and then filtered through charcoal to give it a smooth, velvety mouthfeel. All of these unique steps contribute to the flavor of Makers Mark, making it distinct from other whiskeys.
Is Makers Mark better than bullet?
The answer to this question is a matter of personal preference. Makers Mark and Bulleit are both high-quality bourbons. They both have distinct flavor profiles that many people enjoy.
Makers Mark is made from a wheated bourbon recipe that adds a calm, sweet taste to the bourbon. It has notes of caramel, toffee, and spice.
Bulleit has a more intense flavor profile using a rye-heavy bourbon recipe. It has a bold, spicy taste with an intense rustic undertone.
In terms of alcohol content, both are bottled at 90 proof, so it’s really a matter of personal preference when it comes to deciding which one is better. If you’re looking for a sweeter, mellow taste, then Makers Mark is a great choice.
If you’re looking for something bolder and more intense, then Bulleit might be the right pick. Ultimately, it depends on what kind of flavor experience you’re going for.
What kind of liquor is Maker’s?
Maker’s is a type of bourbon whiskey. It is produced and marketed by the renowned Beam Suntory and is one of the most widely-recognized brands in the world. Maker’s was founded in the late 1880s by Jim Beam, a master distiller and bourbon whiskey legend.
The bourbon is made using standard bourbon practices; a mash bill consisting of corn, rye, and malted barley, with the addition of a special strain of yeast to provide a unique, robust flavor. Maker’s is known for its smooth, mellow taste and distinctive bottle, which has a red wax seal placed on the neck to seal in freshness.
It is typically aged for four to seven years in charred white oak barrels, and the classic Maker’s Mark is bottled at 90 proof. Other varieties from the brand include Maker’s 46 and Maker’s Mark Cask Strength, both of which offer even more intense flavor experiences for bourbon aficionados.
Why is Maker’s Mark whisky not whiskey?
Maker’s Mark is not technically whiskey, but rather a Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey. The difference between whiskey and bourbon is that whiskey is a broad term for aged spirits made from grain and bourbon is a type of whiskey that is made from a mash of at least 51% corn and aged for at least two years in freshly charred oak barrels.
Since Maker’s Mark is made with a mash of corn, wheat, and barley (not just corn) and aged in oak barrels, it is classified as a bourbon, rather than a whiskey.
Where does Makers Mark get their barrels?
Makers Mark distills their whiskey in new, charred American oak barrels which they source from Independent Stave Company, a large barrel-making company based in Missouri. The barrels are made with a variety of white oak staves that are cut, dried, and fitted together in a time-honored way that dates back centuries.
This method of barrel-making is unique to Makers Mark, and is what gives the whiskey its distinctive flavor and aroma profile. The barrels and staves arrive at the Makers Mark distillery from all over the United States and Canada and are inspected to ensure that the quality is up to the Makers Mark standards, before being loaded up and shipped to the distillery in Kentucky.
Once there, the barrels are filled with the whiskey, sealed and stored in Makers Mark’s warehouses to begin the aging process.
How much does it cost to tour the Maker’s Mark distillery?
It depends on which tour option you choose! The standard Maker’s Mark distillery tour is complimentary, and includes a Grounds Tour, the Taste of Bourbon Tour, a visit to the Bottling Line, and a Maker’s Mark Tasting.
Those looking for something special can opt for the Maker’s Mark VIP Experience and enjoy a guided tour of the entire distillery in addition to a private tasting, a keepsake guide book, and an etched souvenir glass.
This experience costs $20 per person. The Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Tour is even more exclusive, with a private tour and tasting of their cask strength bourbon in addition to a private tour & tasting experience.
This tour costs $50 per person. All tours are limited in capacity and require advance purchase of tickets.
Do you get to dip your own bottle on the Makers Mark tour?
No, unfortunately, you don’t get to dip your own bottle on the Maker’s Mark tour; however, the tour does include plenty of other fun activities. While on the tour, you’ll get the chance to explore the historic Maker’s Mark distillery, which dates back to 1805.
You can learn about the history and legacy of the brand and the generations of Beam family members who have cared for the land and distilled bourbon whiskey on the grounds of the distillery. In addition to viewing the stills, mill house, and fermentation cellar, you’ll be able to sample the full Maker’s Mark portfolio, ranging from the flagship Maker’s Mark to the three, limited-release whiskeys produced onsite.
You will also have the chance to explore the gift shop, which features a variety of Maker’s Mark-branded clothing, glassware, and other souvenirs. Finally, you will be able to purchase a signature Maker’s Mark bottle to take home.
While the tour does not include dipping your own bottle, visitors can still stop by the iconic red wax station after the tour to pick up a wax-dipped bottle.
Can you visit Kentucky distilleries without a tour?
Yes, you can visit many Kentucky distilleries without a tour. Many offer self-guided tours that allow visitors to explore the grounds, facilities, and learn about the history of the distillery at their own pace.
Additionally, many distilleries also have tasting rooms that visitors can experience without a tour. For example, Maker’s Mark Distillery offers a complimentary self-guided tour and a tasting room that visitors can explore without having to purchase a tour package.
Visitors can also sample the trademark red wax-sealed bottles of the world-renowned Maker’s Mark bourbon and enjoy the gift shop without having to purchase a tour.
Do you tip at distillery tours?
Whether you should tip at a distillery tour depends largely on the service you receive and the culture of the distillery and its employees. Generally speaking, few expect a tip after a tour, however, if you’ve had a particularly good experience, a tip is never unwelcomed.
Much like tipping after a restaurant meal, cocktail bar, or coffee shop barista, a tip can be an expression of gratitude and show your appreciation for the distillery’s staff. If the tour guide goes above and beyond and offers particularly interesting insight and knowledge or makes you feel welcomed, a generous tip is appropriate.
Tipping is not expected but if you feel like you want to show your appreciation for a great tour, it’s generally appreciated.