William Isaac “W.I.” Samuels

The Legacy of Maker’s Mark

While TW Samuels stood as a towering figure in the world of American bourbon, his son, William Isaac “WI” Samuels, remained mostly in his father’s shadow for much of his life, and, unfortunately, does so even today. The Samuels’ legacy is intertwined, of course, with Maker’s Mark, a distillery renowned for its dedication to quality, craftsmanship, and a unique approach to whiskey making. The story of William Isaac Samuels and Maker’s Mark is not merely a tale of spirits and distillation, but a testament to family legacy, innovation, and determination despite a lack of acclaim.

The roots of the Samuels distillers in Kentucky run deep, stretching back to the late 18th century. The family’s first foray into whiskey-making can be traced to Robert Samuels, an Irish immigrant who settled in Kentucky in 1780. Like many pioneers in the region, Robert began distilling as a means of utilizing leftover corn. In 1755, Robert had a son, Robert, Jr., who kept the distilling tradition alive. The practical solution of using excess corn to distill evolved into a family tradition, passed down through generations, and in 1780, Robert Jr. had a son named William who continued the practice. He was William Isaac Samuels’ grandfather. 

When William Isaac “WI” Samuels was born on 17 December 1845, in Nelson County, Kentucky, his father, Taylor William Samuels, was 24, while his mother, Lavina Osburn, was 23. A few years later, when WI was about five, the US census was taken in Nelson County. In that census, TW and Lavina and their sons William Isaac and Thomas were recorded living in District 1 of Nelson County, Kentucky. In addition to the Samuels, Lavina's 17-year-old sister, Laura Osburn, and a worker named B. Hagan, lived with them. Hagan was a laborer who was assisting TW in whiskey production at the first commercial distillery built in Deatsville, Kentucky. TW had started the distillery just five years earlier, and it was there that he produced "TW Samuels Straight Bourbon Whiskey.”

WI Samuels worked with his father, and together they commercialized the family's distilling business, selling whiskey to neighbors, as well as to soldiers stationed in the area for protection against Indian attacks. Business was brisk, and before long, TW Samuels was the largest landowner in  Nelson County, and for a period, even served as High Sheriff.

When WI was 25, on December 1, 1870, he married Emma Dorcas Tichenor in Bardstown. 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.The TW Samuels & Son distillery operated for over 50 years, and TW was later recognized for being in the whiskey business longer than anyone in Nelson County, a record that stood until the giant commercial distilleries were built in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1909, a fire destroyed the distillery, but it was later rebuilt. WI Samuels' great-grandson, Bill Samuels, Sr., later went on to found Maker's Mark in 1953; it was then that a new kind of bourbon with a unique mash bill that included red winter wheat instead of the traditional rye grain was created, turning Maker’s Mark thereafter into a household name.

William Isaac “WI” Samuels died on July 22, 1898, at the premature age of 52, allegedly by suicide, just five months after his father, TW. He is buried in Bardstown City Cemetery in Bardstown, Kentucky.

WI Samuels had played a part in a long line of distillers in the Samuels family, with a significant role in helping to establish the family's early distilling business in the mid-19th century. His efforts, as much as anyone’s, eventually led to the creation of the iconic Maker's Mark bourbon brand, founded by his great-grandson, Bill Samuels, Sr.

The story of WI Samuels and Maker’s Mark is one of vision, perseverance, and artistry. From humble beginnings in the Kentucky hills to international acclaim, the journey reflects the spirit of American entrepreneurship and the enduring appeal of a well-crafted bourbon. As new generations take up the torch, the legacy of William Isaac Samuels continues to help shape the landscape of bourbon, ensuring that Maker’s Mark remains, above all, a mark of excellence.

Contributed by Tracy McLemore, Fairview, Tennessee