AMERICAN SPIRIT

ROB SAMUELS, THE EIGHTH-GENERATION WHISKY-MAKER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR OF MAKER'S MARK, EXPLAINS WHY THE BRAND'S CELLAR AGED EXPRESSION IS A PEAK INTO THE FUTURE OF BOURBON.

- INDRAN PARAMASIVAM + FARHAN SHAH

NOT ENOUGH INK has been spilled about how incredible it is to have the living progeny of the creators of legitimately paradigm-blasting products detail and expand their ancestor's endeavour-fuelling ethos in the present day.

When T. William "Bill" Samuels Sr founded the brand and established its headquarters in Loretto, Kentucky in 1953, he didn't have global domination in his mind. But the robust American bourbon with its iconic and instantly recognisable dipped red wax seal progressively captured the imaginations of drinkers around the world. Bill's wife Margie created that red seal, and the shape of the bottle.

Today, Rob Samuels, the eighth generation of the family, continues that legacy. A longtime steward of the brand, he is intimately acquainted with every element of the Maker's Mark's award-winning processes. Samuels lifts the veil on his family brand's first ever older expression and reveals what this implies for a salt-of-the-earth American brand standing tall in the global whisky market.

What is unique about Maker's Mark Cellar Aged, beyond it being the brand's oldest expression?

With Maker's Mark cellar-aged in our-one-of-a-kind limestone whisky cellar, we could unlock flavours that are new to the world, while also staying true to our founder's taste-vision. My grandfather wanted to create a rich, creamy, and balanced bourbon. But, for several years, we resisted the idea of an overaged bourbon because it harbours a more abrasive and bitter profile.