Sep 14, 2018
With its iconic square-shaped bottle dipped in red wax and that consistently familiar flavor profile, Kentucky bourbon brand Maker's Mark is recognized and beloved the world over. Apparently, not without a shaky start. According to Rob Samuels, who currently runs the company, it took a good 30 years for the billion dollar brand to turn a profit. He should know. His grandparents started Maker’s Mark in the 1950s when American whiskey was at an all time low, his father Bill Samuels Jr. helped to usher in this country’s bourbon boom, and for the last 8 years, Rob has been leading the brand into the next generation as President and COO.
I caught up with Rob at the recent BevCon conference here in LA and he gave us the super insiders take to all things Maker’s Mark, the Samuels Family and Kentucky bourbon.
This week's featured cocktail is the signature drink for Kentucky horse race institution, Keeneland.
Keeneland Breeze
1 1/4 oz Maker’s Mark
splash Orange liqueur
splash Ginger ale
splash Fresh squeezed orange juice
Orange wedge
Rocks glass and ice
Fill rocks glass with ice, add the bourbon, orange liqueur and fresh orange juice, top with ginger ale, give it a stir and garnish with an orange wedge.
Links:
Maker's Mark
Keeneland
music: https://www.humanworldwide.com