Those of you who have visited our little distillery are familiar with the little bridge that runs between the Stillhouse and the arboretum. We're getting a bridge "upgrade" you might say, so our tour will be re-routed for the next 3 weeks. Not to worry, you'll still get the same wonderful visitor experience you've always had in Loretto, you'll just be taking a slight detour when you get here.





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Ambassadors in Alabama should be on the lookout for this specially dipped Crimson and White edition Maker's Mark bottle. It is currently available in ABC stores across the state.

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Master Distiller for Maker's Mark, Kevin D. Smith


Dear Friends,

I am very excited to let everyone in on a little secret. We have been experimenting with a few things down here at the distillery, and we think we have stumbled onto a bourbon expression worth telling you about. The flavor is incredible. It has an intense, sweet, oaky toast aroma and, at 94 proof, it is unbelievably smooth. 

Our new baby is a real revolution, with no alcohol nose or taste, and the big, bold flavors come through without a bitter aftertaste. Imagine oak-sweet vanillas, creamy flavors and a long and luscious texture that coats the front of the tongue.  Let me say it this way: the taste is pleasingly intense!

Brad Boswell, President of Independent Stave, and I collaborated to create a process that would marry the flavor of Maker’s Mark with the unique flavors found when oak is heated sizzling hot,  blistering the wood on the outside, while locking in the flavor in the middle.
It’s really something folks. I’ve been working on this for a year and a half, and it absolutely defies description. I guess that’s why we’re having such a hard time figuring out what to call it.

I’ll let Bill and the marketing “gurus” work that out.

Prizeworthy!
Don't know if any of y'all caught the Golden Globes the other night, but one of the big winners was Sandra Bullock. While we are very proud for Sandra, we are super excited that she thought to mention our favorite bourbon - Maker's Mark!
One of our friends photo shopped this picture and posted it to the Maker's Mark Facebook page - pretty funny! I think they look great together, you?

Start making your plans for this year's Ambassador celebration in Lexington, KY!

This year's Thoroughbreds & Redheads Weekend is going to be one of the best yet. On Friday April 9th we'll have a blast at Keeneland Race Course during the day and paint the town red that evening at our annual Ambassador blow out.
Saturday? Make your way to Loretto for a one of a kind distillery tour experience. Ambassador Homecoming Day 2010 is a "must do"!

Visit http://makersmark.com/mile2010 to get the full scoop and make your plans for the weekend.

Additional questions? Call me 502-473-4056 direct.

See you there party people!

-M-

On Thursday, December 10th some of your fellow Ambassadors from the Louisville, KY area gathered in support of local charity, The Salvation Army's Angel Tree. Ambassadors were asked to bring a clothing item for a child aged 10-13 and boy, did our friends come through.Check out the incredible outpouring of support:


This picture doesn't even do justice to how big the pile of gifts were!


Party people in the house! Mellwood Arts center was glowing with holiday cheer!


Our friends from Salvation Army were all smiles!


So many generous people attended our event- thank you thank you thank you!


The Salvation Army had to bring another van to load all of the gifts - awesome!

Check out what some of our AWESOME Maker's Mark Ambassadors made! A replica of our little distillery in cookie and candy form! Sticks of chewing gum make up the roof, licorice whips make the window panes, there is just too much going on here to mention it all!
My question? If you were going to eat this thing, where would you start?

Are any of you Ambassadors going to go gingerbread bananas this season?

Check out the 2009 Candlelight Tour bottle! It will be available on Saturday, December 5th and 12th from 5-7pm during the Candlelight Tours of the Distillery.

If you're planning to join us for the 2010 Thoroughbreds and Redheads weekend be sure to bring a few bed sheets and a crown of leaves because this year's theme is TOGA! TOGA! TOGA! See you there!

SATURDAYS, DEC. 5 AND DEC. 12, 2009
 
LORETTO, KY – Maker's Mark Annual Holiday Tour this year is scheduled to feature an ice skating rink, a snow machine and other wintertime activities.
As all the Maker's tours, this one is also free with the special time of 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM EST on each of the scheduled nights of Saturday, December 5 and 12, 2009.

Along with the ice skating (skates will be provided free of charge), live music, special attractions and non-alcoholic refreshments, visitors can enjoy the specially decorated grounds and purchase unique holiday items in the gift shop.

Bill Samuels Jr., President of Maker's Mark: "Please come and enjoy this unique Maker's Mark experience with me.  As is our tradition, Master Distiller, Kevin Smith, my son, Rob, and I will be around on different nights to sign Maker's Mark bottles."

The distillery has been doing Candlelight Tours for about two decades with every year having a different attraction.