Maker’s Mark Founders
(NOTE: FOUNDERS ARE LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
Maker's Mark is the third most popular brand of bourbon whiskey in the world. The Maker's Mark Distillery is the sixth-largest bourbon distillery in the world and is located in Loretto, Kentucky, and produces 16 brands, labels, and variations of Bourbon. Maker's Mark is owned by Beam Suntory, Inc. Maker’s Mark dates back to 1958, but its history revolves around one family long, long before that. The Samuels family is indelibly woven throughout the brand’s very being.
1
Greg Davis
Gregory T “Greg” Davis was born in May of 1970. He is currently the Director of Distillery Operations at James B. Beam Distilling Company. Davis took on a new role as Director of Distillation in October of 2018 at Beam-Suntory’s colossal plants in Clermont and Boston. He aims to focus on Jim Beam Bourbon and, specifically, the brand’s Small Batch Collection.
2
Donna Nally
The Kentucky Bourbon Trail, winding through the heart of the Bluegrass State, stands as one of America’s most storied and celebrated travel experiences—a journey into the rolling hills, historic rickhouses, and time-honored distilleries. Among those passionate storytellers and advocates is Donna Nally, whose name has become increasingly associated with the hospitality, education, and experience of Kentucky’s bourbon heritage.
3
Steve Nally
Steve Nally was born in Loretto, Kentucky in, 1950. His family farm joined the Maker’s Mark property. As a young boy he roamed the Maker’s property hunting local game or just hiking the hills owned by the Samuels. He attended Loretto High School. After graduation from high school he bought a small farm.
4
Dave Pickerell
“Johnny Appleseed of Distilleries”
Dave graduated from West Point in 1978 with a Bachelors of Science degree in Chemistry. After graduation, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. In 1986, while still serving, he attended the University of Louisville’s School of Engineering and obtained a Master's Degree in Chemical Engineering. After graduation, he returned to West Point to teach chemistry.
5
Denny Potter
After finishing his degree in biology at Indiana University in 1995, Potter first went to work at Jim Beam, where he toiled in the lab for five years, gaining skills in the art he grew to adore. After also spending time as Beam’s Operations Manager, Denny departed for the other Suntory Group’s major bourbon distillery, Maker’s Mark. There, Potter worked briefly as an Assistant Master Distiller.
6
Leslie Samuels
Leslie B. Samuels was born on January 29th, 1872 to his father William Isaac Samuels and mother Emma Dorcas Samuels in Bardstown, Nelson County, Kentucky. In 1898, after Leslie Samuels’ grandfather Taylor Williams Samules (age 77) and his father William Isaac Samuels (age 52) passed away within of afew months of each other, he became the General Manager and Plant Superintendent of what was then known as the T. W. Samuels and Son Distillery located in Deatsville, Kentucky at the age of 26.
7
Margaret Samuels
Marketing Mastermind
It is said that Margie is the reason most folks buy their first bottle of Maker's Mark, and Bill Sr is the reason they buy their second bottle. The shape of the bottle, the look of the label, the signature red wax topper, and even the name itself are all thanks to Margie. In 1953, Margie Samuels collaborated with her husband on a new kind of bourbon. She baked seven loaves of bread, the whole family blind-tasted the breads, and then decided on the soft red winter wheat.
8
Rob Samuels
Born into a family steeped in bourbon tradition, Rob Samuels’ childhood was flavored by the distillery. From an early age, Rob was immersed in the culture of whiskey making. His father, Bill Samuels Jr., led Maker’s Mark through decades of growth, cementing the brand’s reputation for quality and authenticity.
9
T. W. Samuels
. . Arrested Jesse James
T. W. Samuels opened his first distillery in Deatsville, Kentucky in 1844. Known for it’s unique stair step designed rack houses, it had greater chimney effect forcing more heat to the top floors. In addition to distilling, Samuels was also the Nelson County Kentucky High Sheriff. T. W. convinced many confederate soldiers including Jessie and Frank James to surrender their weapons and give themselves up.
10
Wm. Isaac “W.I.” Samuels
WI Samuels worked with his father, and together they commercialized the family's distilling business, selling whiskey to neighbors and soldiers stationed in the area for protection against Indian attacks. The distillery featured “TW Samuels Straight Bourbon Whiskey.” WII married Emma Dorcas Tichenor. Soon, they became the parents of 3 daughters and 1 son. WI’s son was Leslie B. Samuels, who became the father of Maker’s Mark’s legendary distiller Bill Samuels, Sr.
11
Bill Samuels, Jr.
Bill Samuels, Jr. was the son of Maker’s founder Bill, Sr., and Margie. When Jr. was inheriting the helm at Maker’s upon his father’s retirement, his parting words to his son were, “Don't screw up the Whisky." It was Bill Jr. who created the first-of-its-kind Ambassador program, allowing Maker's Mark's biggest fans to feel like part of the family. Then, just before his retirement, Bill Jr. made his Maker’s Mark on the family legacy in 2010 with the introduction of Maker's 46.
12
Bill Samuels, Sr.
Bill Samuels, Sr. burned up the 170 year-old family recipe and almost the living room as well in the 1950's. He then experimented with many recipes but did not have the time to distill them, barrel them, age them and then taste them years later. So he asked his wife, Margaret to bake seven different mash bill recipes in seven loaves of bread and had his family try each. What they settled on was corn with a soft red winter wheat to make their new bourbon.
13
Kevin Smith
In 2008, Kevin’s career entered a new chapter, one that would secure his place in bourbon history. That year, he was appointed Master Distiller and Vice President of Production at Maker’s Mark Distillery, under the mentorship of industry icon Bill Samuels Jr. It was a pivotal role at a critical time for the young distiller.