Technical Notes Maker’s Mark is produced at Loretto in Kentucky, where distilling has been taking place on the Star Hill Farm site since to 1805. The present brand was developed by Bill Samuels Snr, who bought Star Hill in 1953, and the Scottish spelling of ‘whisky’ has been employed since the outset in recognition of Samuels’ Scottish ancestry. Since 2005 maker’s Mark has been owned by Fortune Brands, who are also responsible for Jim Beam. Samuels chose to create a Bourbon using a proportion of red winter wheat instead of the more common rye, in order to reduce the ‘burn’ left by many Bourbons of the time. The result is a comparatively soft and gentle spirit, which becomes very mellow as it matures. A subtle, complex, clean nose, with vanilla and spice, a delicate floral note of roses, plus lime and cocoa beans.