Bill Samuels Jr. is a noted American whiskey distiller and the former president of Maker’s Mark Distillery, the world-famous brand of Kentucky Straight Bourbon whiskey. He is the fourth generation of the Samuels family, who has owned and operated the company since entering the whiskey making business in the early 19th century.
After taking over the business in 1970, Samuels Jr. famously transformed Maker’s Mark and set the course for its eventual success. He implemented unique, time-consuming production methods and invested heavily in the distillery’s iconic packaging and marketing, ultimately adding the recognizable red wax seal and Maker’s Mark typeface.
In addition to his success strengthening the Maker’s Mark brand, Samuels Jr. has also been influential in the bourbon industry at large. In 1980, he was the first to establish a Kentucky Distillers Association, which allowed for the collective promotion of the state’s signature whiskey.
During his tenure, Samuels also gained recognition for his commitment to local preservation efforts, including the creation of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, which was established in 1999 as a way to encourage tourism to the region.
Samuels Jr. retired from Maker’s Mark in 2011 and the company is currently overseen by his son Rob Samuels.
Who is Maker’s Mark owned by?
Maker’s Mark is an iconic Kentucky Straight Bourbon made by the Beam family. It is owned by Beam Suntory, which is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings of Japan. Founded in 1954, Maker’s Mark is the fourth-oldest family-owned distillery in the United States, and the oldest and smallest distillery in the world to still use traditional pot stills to draw their whiskey.
The recipe for Maker’s Mark came from Bill Samuels Sr. , who purchased the Burks distillery in Loretto, Kentucky in 1953 with the goal of making an easily recognizable and smooth-tasting bourbon to appeal to all types of whiskey drinkers.
To maintain the smooth whiskey flavor, Maker’s Mark makes all of their whiskey using soft red winter wheat, rather than the harsh and spicy rye found in most bourbons, and distilling them in their copper-lined stills.
The distillery is currently operated by Bill Samuels Jr. , the son of Bill Samuels Sr. , who proudly carries on his father’s legacy by continuing to ensure the same smooth and unique whiskey taste.
Who owns Heaven Hill?
Heaven Hill Distilleries is owned by the five-generation Shapira family, which purchased the brand in 1935. Founded by Joseph L. Beam, the company was originally known as Greathouse & Sons and later Beam & Sons Distilleries.
The business was then taken over by the Ridgewood Group, until the Shapira family purchased it in 1935.
Today, the Shapira family continues to run Heaven Hill as an independent, family-owned and operated conglomerate, with many members of the family holding leadership positions throughout the organization.
As of 2017, the Chairman of the Board is Max L. Shapira and his sons, Eric, Thomas, and Harrison, serve as Vice-Chairmen, while other members of the family serve in various departments, including marketing, sales, and production.
Heaven Hill Distilleries is now the seventh largest spirits producer in the United States, producing various bourbon, whiskey, and other products. In addition to the numerous whiskey brands, the firm has acquired a number of smaller craft distilleries, allowing the firm to expand its selection of spirits.
How was Maker’s Mark discovered?
Maker’s Mark was first discovered in 1953 by T. William Samuels Sr. and his wife Margie Samuels. William had been an employee of the Woodford Reserve Distillery since 1916 and had seen firsthand the process of whiskey making.
After William retired, the couple decided the move to Loretto, Kentucky to build their own distillery, Maker’s Mark.
To differentiate their whiskey from others, the Samuels’ chose to use wheat rather than rye as the flavor grain in the mashbill. They created a unique, small batch whiskey with recipes using red winter wheat, which is renowned for its mellow, consistent flavor.
Artwork for Maker’s Mark was created by semiotician, Robert Lee family, with the family’s signature dripping from the hand-written label. The wax dipped bottles sealed with a red wax stamp quickly gained notoriety, give Maker’s Mark a unique, distinct look.
Although Maker’s Mark whiskey is now made in larger batches, the original craftsmanship and attention to quality has been maintained to ensure that each bottle is still made the same way Bill and Margie Samuels did it in 1953.
How did Maker’s Mark 46 get its name?
Maker’s Mark 46 was named in honor of the founding families of Maker’s Mark—Sam and Margie Samuels—and their 6 children, who were numbered from 1 to 6. The name “46” is derived from the combined numbers or 4-6, with the 2 in the middle representing their two families.
The original Maker’s Mark bourbon whiskey was the product of years of experimentation and innovation by Sam and Margie Samuels. After years of tweaking the process and trying out different recipes, Sam and Margie Samuels released the original Maker’s Mark on the market in 1958.
To keep up with the growing demand for top-quality whiskey and craftsmanship, Maker’s Mark enhanced the original recipe and introduced its Maker’s Mark 46 expression in 2010. The 46 stands for the number of wooden staves that are used to age the spirit, which is twice the staves used in the original Maker’s Mark.
To further enhance the flavor of the Maker’s Mark 46, French Oak staves are inserted in the barrels to give it a unique flavor profile. The result is Maker’s Mark 46, a spirit that has notes of oak, leather, and tobacco along with light fruit and vanilla flavors.
To this day, Maker’s Mark 46 is still the go-to for fans of the classic Maker’s Mark.
What is the oldest brand of bourbon?
The oldest registered brand of bourbon is Jim Beam. The Beam family started distilling in 1795 and the Beam name has been around since the 1800s. It was their moonshining past that led the first James B.
Beam to create the brand all the way back in the late 1700s. The brand is still proudly managed by the seventh and eighth generations of the Beam family. Jim Beam is aged in oak barrels, following the traditional recipe that has been used since its creation, and it is 100 proof Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey.
It has remained the world’s number one bourbon for over 200 years, making it the oldest brand of bourbon.
Did slaves make bourbon?
No, slaves did not make bourbon. Despite being a significant part of the history of the American South, slaves did not play a role in the production of bourbon. The production of spirits, including bourbon, has been associated with the colonists first arriving on the continent, and the practice of barrel aging was eventually formalized in the Bourbon County regulations of 1787.
The majority of those who produced and distilled this spirit throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries were men of white, European descent. The labor required to farm, harvest and distill the grain that would become bourbon was largely done by white men.
Thus, slaves were not a primary factor in the production of bourbon.
Who is the oldest whiskey maker?
The oldest whiskey maker is believed to be Bow Street Distillery, which was established in 1757 in Dublin, Ireland. The Bow Street Distillery is considered the birthplace of popular Irish whiskey brands such as Jameson, Powers and Paddy.
It originally operated as a retail distillery, selling whiskey wholesale and by the glass in local taverns. The distillery went through a number of owners throughout the years and eventually ceased production in the 1940s.
The old buildings of the distillery are now part of the Jameson Distillery Visitor Centre complex, which was opened in 1997. The history of Bow Street Distillery is an important part of Irish whiskey and it is respected and celebrated as the world’s oldest whiskey maker.
Why does Maker’s Mark misspell whiskey?
The unique spelling of Maker’s Mark is a creative marketing strategy by the historic brand. It’s intended to make their name stand out among other distilleries and whiskey brands and serves as a conversation starter.
The chosen spelling also honors the spelling of the word used by their ancestors in Scotland when Maker’s Mark founder Bill Samuels Sr. immigrated to the United States. Furthermore, it pays homage to the Kentucky heritage of the brand and the whiskey-making tradition of the region that’s been passed down for generations.
Additionally, the creative spelling allows Maker’s Mark to have a one-of-a-kind trademark that helps to differentiate its products from those of competitors.
What does SIV stand for on Makers Mark?
SIV stands for Selected Individual Barrel, which is a unique offering from Makers Mark. Each SIV bottle is hand-selected to be extremely special, making it a one-of-a-kind collector’s item. The SIV bottles are selected based on taste, aroma, color and proof, and they come with an extra wax dipped bottle that identifies the original barrel from which it was taken.
Every SIV whiskey is assigned a code that can be checked on their website to reveal information about the specific barrel it was selected from, including the date it was filled and stored in the Maker’s Mark aging cellar.
SIV bottles are extremely sought after and highly collectible. It’s the perfect way to show your love for Makers Mark whiskey and enjoy its unique taste.
Is it real wax on Makers Mark bottles?
Yes, Makers Mark bottles are made with real wax. The wax seals over the caps of each bottle is made with real wax and is applied by hand. As part of the craftsmanship, an individual closely monitors the process to ensure the bottle is sealed with the perfect amount and consistency of wax.
The signature red wax is then hand-dipped and applied to every bottle created, ensuring each one is perfectly unique.
How many years is Makers Mark aged?
Makers Mark is a premium bourbon whiskey made from a blend of corn, wheat, and barley and is expertly crafted according to family tradition. It is barrel aged for a minimum of 6 years in order to give it the maximum flavor and character.
Makers Mark all-natural flavors are so distinct and complex, that it is impossible to prove any barrel aged fewer than 6 years had been used in a batch. This extended aging process gives Makers Mark its full flavor, vibrant color, and unique aroma.
After aging, the whiskey is then bottled at 90 Proof, which ensures it holds its flavor as well as its soft, warm taste.
How long will an unopened bottle of Makers Mark last?
An unopened bottle of Makers Mark will last practically indefinitely. The alcohol content of Makers Mark is 45% ABV, which means that the bottle will never spoil unless it is exposed to extreme temperatures (i.
e. hot or cold), sunlight, or oxygen. If stored correctly, Makers Mark should maintain its quality for many years. The distillation process for Makers Mark involves aging for at least four years in oak barrels, which further adds to the shelf life of the spirit.
Therefore, an unopened bottle of Makers Mark can last for quite a long time without losing its quality.
Why do they put wax on whiskey bottles?
The wax used to top whiskey bottles serves a few different purposes. Firstly, it seals the bottle and helps prevent loss of the liquid inside. This is important, as it helps to ensure the whiskey will not be exposed to air and thus become oxidized, possibly causing a decrease in flavor and quality.
Secondly, the wax can help to protect the bottle from cracking or breaking due to potential temperature changes. Many whiskies are stored in relatively cold places, and when these places heat up, the wax helps to keep the glass from expanding too quickly and becoming weak.
Lastly, the wax around a whiskey bottle adds to the overall appearance and presentation of the bottle. It gives the bottle a nice shine, and can come in different colors which add flair to the presentation of the bottle.
Overall, the wax used on whiskey bottles serves a few functions. It helps to protect the whiskey by preventing air exposure, help protect the bottle by regulating temperature changes, and adds to the presentation of the bottle.
What is bottle sealing wax made of?
Bottle sealing wax is a wax-like material typically used to seal wine and other bottled beverages. It is usually made of a combination of different ingredients such as beeswax, paraffin wax, carnauba wax, pine resin, and colored pigment.
The wax is melted and applied to the bottle’s cork and spout, then cooled and allowed to harden. This creates a secure seal, while also adding a visual touch. It effectively prevents the contents from leaking and prevents other external contaminants from leaking in.
The thickness, color, and texture of the wax also helps to protect the bottle from external impacts. Additionally, some craft breweries use custom designs, colors, and even inks to help identify the contents and create a memorable brand.