Maker's Mark Distillery

This distillery produces one of the country's top Kentucky bourbons and offers tours of its beautiful grounds.

The Maker’s Mark Distillery is an iconic stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. A crowd favorite, Maker’s Mark is located in Loretto, Kentucky, and has been in business since 1953 – but the original recipe dates back to 170 years before this. The recipe changed over time since it was lost to a fire, but the persistence of creating the perfect whiskey remained and it was eventually born. Bill and Margie Samuels worked tirelessly to achieve precisely what they were looking for in a whiskey. Bill perfected the recipe while Margie was the brains behind the signature bottle and label.

Maker’s Mark has six different varieties today, from their classic bottle to the Private Selection. The bourbon-making process is still a very hands-on one for the Maker’s Mark team. The distillery is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 until 5:30 and on Sunday from 10 to 5. There is a primary Maker’s Mark Tour that is $22 for adults 21+, $17 for veterans, and free for active military – just be sure to book your reservation in advance. The tour runs for about an hour and a half, and in this time, you’ll have the opportunity to see the beautiful grounds where this bourbon is made and try some samples, as well. You simply can’t explore the Kentucky Bourbon Trail without a stop at Maker’s Mark, one of the top whiskeys on the market today.