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What a great experience at Maker's Mark Distillery in Loretto, Kentucky! This was a beautiful place to visit, and the entire property is absolutely gorgeous. The drive out there is scenic, and once you arrive, the grounds are beautiful and really give you that classic Kentucky bourbon experience. We did the bourbon tasting and tour, which was $31 per person, and I thought it was well worth it. The tour lasted about an hour and a half, including the tasting, and our tour guide was fantastic. She did a great job explaining the history of Maker's Mark and walking us through how the bourbon is actually made. One of the things I enjoyed most was getting to see the different stages of the process. They take you through the actual production areas and explain how everything is processed, including the large fermentation tanks where you can see everything bubbling as part of the fermentation process. It was really interesting to see the process in person instead of just hearing about it. We also learned about how they handle the bourbon barrels in the warehouses. The barrels are moved around by hand, including switching barrels between different levels of the warehouse so they experience the appropriate conditions and heat. It was pretty fascinating to learn how much hands-on work still goes into making the bourbon. If you want to learn about bourbon, how it's made, and the history behind Maker's Mark, I definitely think this tour is worth doing. You get to see so much more than you would by simply visiting the gift shop or tasting room. One thing I will mention: go during a cooler time of year if you can! Some of the production rooms were extremely hot, and we were sweating like crazy. I think visiting in November would be a much more comfortable experience. But honestly, getting to see all of the rooms and different parts of the operation made it worth it. We also ate at the restaurant while we were there. I had the hamburger for $22, and the fries were $9. We also had the bread with apple jam, which was really, really good! The apple jam was definitely a standout. Sherry loved the cowboy butter, which had a lot of spices and a little bit of a kick to it. Loretto itself is a very small town, so there isn't a ton to do in town, but there are several distilleries in the surrounding area. Maker's Mark is also very easy to get to from Louisville. We basically headed down Bardstown Road, took 49 South, and then followed the signs for Maker's Mark Road. The drive out there is part of the experience because the scenery is beautiful. Overall, this was a really enjoyable bourbon experience. Beautiful property, interesting tour, great guide, good food, and plenty of history. If you've never been to Maker's Mark, I definitely recommend making the trip. Kentucky bourbon doesn't get much more scenic than this!
Maker's Mark was the first distillery we visited once we arrived in Bardstown, and it was the perfect way to kick off our Bourbon Trail experience. The distillery grounds are absolutely beautiful, with gorgeous landscaping and art displayed throughout the property. I was especially excited to see pieces by one of my favorite artists, Chihuly, which was such a fun surprise. Even though Maker's Mark is such a well-known bourbon that you can find at almost any bar, I loved learning that they still do so many things by hand. They still print their own labels, and of course every bottle is hand-dipped in their signature red wax. One of the coolest parts of the tour is at the very end. If you purchase a bottle, you get the chance to dip it in the wax yourself. It's way harder than it looks to make it resemble the bottles you see on the liquor store shelves! The gift shop is large with plenty to browse, and the entire operation felt incredibly well run. Overall, it was a great tour and one I'd definitely recommend if you're visiting the Bourbon Trail.
We love coming here. This was our third visit to the distillery and it may have been our best tour ever. Jeremiah was so personable and was just such a great guide. He wasn't all about technical details and capacities and proper temperature.. he was about relating the story. He brought the experience to life and made you feel at home. The grounds are beautiful as always. The tasting was great and the Private Selection barrel we tasted was one we had to bring home. My wife even dipped it herself. It's well worth the trip away from the rest of Bourbon Country to make the drive out here. I really don't think you will be disappointed.
We sure did enjoy our time here! Makers Mark exceeded my expectations! The grounds are super beautiful the staff was amazing, and super good whisky! Our tour guide Cheyenne by far made our experience steller! We really learned a lot from her and we felt a deeper connection with the distillery during and after leaving the tour. The gift shop staff was really friendly Josh was really nice and helped me dip my own bottle. A shout out to him as well. I thought the prices were more than fair.. We are at Star Hill Provisions. The food, cocktails and service were amazing as well! I had the fried chicken sandwich with fries and my wife had the wedge salad. Also what I got out out of the tour is that they take good care of their employees and land which is important to me. This is a company that has good values which I'll remember in the future. Definitely recommend coming here! PS: as you get closer to the distillery follow the signs Makers Mark posted to the roadways, not so much the GPS, the GPS will lead you down some tight roads. In fact check the Makers Mark Web page to see if they post better directions than GPS.
Tour is fun, entertaining and informative. I am not a liquor drinker and still enjoyed the tour. Would do it again.
There are various aspects of this tour that are beyond bourbon: The beautiful grounds, the art, and being able to dip your own bottle in their iconic red wax. The entire tour focuses on how Mrs. Margie has started bourbon tourism with offering tours and creating a brand. The incorporation of the art pieces, all the way from storage to tasting makes the grounds all the more interesting. This distillery is not in the Frankfort area where you can hit more than one on your way. But it is worth a day trip of its own. Just make sure to plan for the restaurant to close on the earlier side, last seating at 5 pm.
Our Golden Ticket Tour at Maker's Mark was nothing short of exceptional, and a huge part of that experience was our incredible tour guide, Laura. Without a doubt, she is the best tour guide we have ever had. From the moment the tour began, Laura's personality lit up the entire experience. She struck the perfect balance between being informative and entertaining, sharing the rich history and craftsmanship behind Maker's Mark while keeping everyone fully engaged. Her sense of humor and perfectly timed jokes made the day not only educational but genuinely fun and memorable. You can tell Laura truly loves what she does, and that passion comes through in every part of the tour. She made us feel welcomed, valued, and like we were part of something special. The Golden Ticket Tour is already a unique experience, but Laura elevated it to a whole different level. If you're planning a visit to Maker's Mark, we can't recommend this tour enough--and if you're lucky enough to have Laura as your guide, you're in for an unforgettable day!
First time ever touring a distillery after living in the area over a decade. I was blown away by the guided tour, our guide was Jackie and she was phenomenal! Truly so in depth, informative, fun and made us all feel so immersed in the area. The property was so beautiful and well tended. The aroma of the fermenting room can be strong for some but they do warn people and ask often if people are doing okay. I will also note there are some stairs but other ways to get around are available such as ramps. I will say I'm no bourbon drinker but the tasting was fun and I learned so much about the process and what it meant to the family. The Original Makers was my favorite though everyone else favored the 46 blend. At the end I had a fun time dipping my own bottle to commemorate the memory.
My friends and I visited Maker's Mark during our recent trip to Kentucky. The distillery is tucked away in the countryside, about an hour's drive from Louisville, but the trip is well worth it. We toured the grounds with a large group, and everything was immaculate. The tour itself was very informative and a great way to learn more about the bourbon-making process. After the tour, we participated in a tasting, which was a fun and educational experience. We then decided to eat at the Star Hill Provisions Café on the grounds. There was no wait, and we were seated right away. We ordered pizza, meat soup, lamb meatballs, and a chicken sandwich--all of which were fresh and delicious. Overall, we really enjoyed our visit to Maker's Mark and would absolutely come back again.
Amazing experience today! We had a great in depth tour behinds the scenes. I signed up to be an Ambassador 7 years ago and my barrel finally matured. Hearing the story of Makers Mark was really interesting and we sampled some bourbon in various stages along the way. We finished up getting to hand dip our bourbon bottles with our names on custom labels. Overall a great experience and I'll be a loyal brand ambassador for life
The Maker's Mark Distillery was the highlight of our trip around the bourbon trail. Everything about this facility is warm and welcoming. The staff is very friendly and makes you feel part of the family. I whole heartedly recommend that this be a stop if you're in the area.
We had a great tour! Cheyenne is an excellent friendly and knowledgeable guide. I felt I learned a lot about the company. The grounds are beautiful and you get to see a lot on the classic tour. You get to taste for samples at the end of the tour and my husband loved dipping his own bottle in the red wax. I'd like that they have a small art collection in the visitor center and the glass exhibit was beautiful. I'd love to Chihulily glass.
Tour guide Jeremy was awesome. We had a great time viewing the different stages of the process. I would recommend visiting to anyone who has an appreciation for a well oiled system and the love of bourbon. Beautiful grounds
5 months ago
Gorgeous grounds, knowledgeable tour guides, great whiskey tastings, and a fantastic restaurant. Makers Mark Distillery is one you wont want to miss!! read more
We stopped in here around Covid times. You had to have a reservation for the tour, so we didn't do that. Instead, we chose to go drink a flight. They brought out full bottles for purchase and set them behind each flight glass. We had a good time sitting out on the covered porch tasting. Then we went in and purchased a bottle representing our trip and those times for us together: Somewhere in 2020. I'd go back here again. It was pretty awesome. read more
My wife and I stopped by the distillery on a whim and scored tickets to the Classic Maker's Mark Tour. We were drawn in because of the Dan Chihuly exhibit and were treated, not only to so some amazing art, delicious spirits, but also an intriguing education on the history of Maker's Mark. We learned so much and had a blast exploring the property, dipping our own bottles in wax and enjoying a beautiful day with excellent bourbon. Ask about the ambassador program. read more
3 months ago
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7 months ago
We didn't eat there, but the staff was wonderful and very helpful to us, even though we didn't arrive until 30 minutes before closing. The place is beautiful! As a fan of all Chiluly glass art fan I was amazed to find this in the middle of no where! It was great! read more
What an amazing tour. The grounds are immaculate and beautiful glass art is all around. The tour is full of bourbon tasting and ends in the gift shop where you dip your own bottles. Chris is an awesome tour guide, request him! Cheers. read more
Beautiful facility with friendly and knowledgeable staff. We didn't get there early enough for a tour, but we still had fun dipping our bottle in wax at the gift shop. I wish they had better hours for the tour and restaurant. Both close early in the day. My husband enjoyed his flight at the tasting bar. read more
8 months ago
We just visited yesterday for our long awaited Ambassador golden ticket tour! Laura was our tour guide and she was nothing short of amazing! Prior to the tour after checking in we tried a cocktail in the bar behind the check in and I'm going to tell you the choices were all delicious sounding, but it was very cold and I had the Hot Dr. Pepper. It is seasonal, but it was absolutely delicious and warming and would be a great introduction to those who aren't sure they like bourbon. The buildings and grounds are beautiful and seeing the process and hearing about what goes into Maker's Mark was so interesting and explains so much. This was our second tour- the last being almost 7 years ago. This one was better than the first and included some fabulous tastings along the way. We of course ended up in the gift shop where we purchased bottles from our Ambassador barrel and dipped them ourselves- my husband purchased several other limited edition bottles he also dipped. I highly recommend joining the ambassador program- it is definitely worth the wait! Ask for Laura as your tour guide. She is a wealth of knowledge and humor and has family ties to Maker's Mark. I would also like to say everyone was pleasant and helpful- including the bus drivers who drove us from the gift shop and dropped us off right by our vehicle. There was snow and ice still on the ground and even though it was thawing and the pathways and parking lot were cleared, the trek from the gift shop with a box full of bottles was not something we wanted to try. Kudos to Maker's Mark and the staff. Cheers! read more
3 months ago
5 months ago
Tour was great! Well worth the trip to see and explore the area. Tour guide Laura was very enthusiastic and informative. I would recommend going to this one for sure! read more
Did the Golden Ambassador Experience and had a ball. Learned a ton about bourbon and the Marker's Mark brand. Got to dip my own bottles in the signature red wax. We visited in early January and the grounds were beautiful....I would love to visit in the summer. Maker's is an interesting company with an interesting story. Have a ton of respect for how they manage the brand. Would definitely come back and try to combine with some Kentucky golf. read more
Wow that road into the farm is rural, if you get car sick, take some Dramamine! We arrived 5 minutes late and the customer service team was so helpful and accommodating they were able to shift our reservation to the next time slot! Which actually was perfect because it allowed us time to visit the restroom and the cocktail bar before the tour. We met the resident cat - DO NOT TOUCH- but admire his handsome sleepy self while sipping the cider! This was our first visit and we loved the entire experience! From the beautiful views, modern art, rich history, knowledgeable guide Griffin (or Glenn?) and of course the yummy tasting! It was an excellent experience. read more
I finally completed my Ambassador tour after a 7 year wait for my barrel to be perfected! It was one of the most enjoyable tours I have ever taken. Our tour guide Laura was so personable, knowledgeable, and entertaining. She was absolutely hilarious and everyone on the tour had a great time. We were able to try so many pours on our tour, including a pour from our own barrel. Going to the gift shop and dipping my own bottle is something I will never forget. This is one of the most unique tours on the Bourbon Trail. Can't wait to come back and try the bar in the main house and the restaurant. read more
6 months ago
My experience at Marker's Mark was exceptional! Every aspect of the visitor experience is well thought out and top notch! Restaurant is a must stop as the food is delicious. Had a great day and will definitely be in for a second trip! read more
8 months ago
Our tour was informative and entertaining. Matt, our tour guide,was fantastic. This history was very interesting. Overall it was a great experience. read more
7 months ago
Fabulous tour. Two friends, my husband, and I are in town visiting Louisville and doing bourbon tours - we did Peerless yesterday, which I enjoyed, and this was a lot bigger, but also great. When you arrive, there's a beautiful lobby with lots of artwork. They also have a cat, aptly named Whiskey Jean, who was sleeping in a little nook. Our tour was at 11am and it ends at the gift shop, where I was able to hand dip a bottle of Maker's that we bought... Pretty cool! The company has a beautiful campus, too, and the tour guide told us that the founder's wife specifically designed the campus knowing they'd probably want to give tours some day. If you do the tour, keep an eye out for the Chihuly glass ceiling near the end, too. They also have a cocktail lounge which is near the lobby, so we tried a few cocktails there. They also have a restaurant. This was my first time here, the 2nd time for my husband and the 4th and 5th times for our friends, if that gives any indication how nice the tour/campus is! I would definitely return for another tour in the future. read more
4 months ago
2 years ago
The grounds and artwork/glass are stunning. The tour was informative and we had a fun guide. The guide sounded like a Southern Preacher in the way he joked around. The reason for three stars are two major bummers: Bummer #1: The uniqueness to Maker's Mark branding, as "Miss Margie" knew, is the dipping of the bottle necks in wax. We made advance reservations and this was not a unique tour. It was a tour that happens regularly yet, they could not time the assembly line so that we could see the dipping of the bottle necks. Seriously? We waited in the assembly line room for awhile for the workers to return, but they did not came back. Aren't they on a regular lunch schedule? If not, I don't think it would that be that difficult to coordinate the tours to see the dipping of the bottle necks. Bummer #2: They did not tell us that the restaurant was closed for a private event (they had our email address because we had to make advance reservations and sent a reminder for the tour). If you've toured the distilleries, you know there's very little food available around in the towns. We were hungry after the tour because it was lunchtime and it's not a good idea to keep drinking if you're not eating. They could've offered cheese and crackers for sale. Four Roses has a refrigerator where you can buy a few items. Gee, forethought. Because of this, we didn't feel that we wanted to sample cocktails (that sounded yummy) because we were way too hungry and on an empty stomach that's not a good idea. Their marketing and branding, seen all around, are right on. Not sure if this could also be called a museum with all the beautiful artwork and glass. The grounds are meticulous and very well landscaped. Extremely scenic. read more
2 years ago
Maker's Mark is off the beaten path within the Bourbon Trail having narrow, winding roads get you to the distillery. But wow was I impressed by this tasting and tour! My family and I signed up for an early morning tasting and tour. The grounds itself were extremely well kept and featured many art pieces and sculpture pulling in an elevated atmosphere. Staff all around were extremely friendly and welcoming. The tour lasted an hour plus a 15 minute tasting. We ventured through every part of the distilling process: ingredients, process, equipment, label making, bottling, history, progression. Our tour guide was fabulous! We ended with a (4) spirit tasting of both common and exclusive spirits. We ended in the gift shop where one can safely dip their own bottle purchased. The tour and tasting was $26 per person but included fair wages for staff. Overall, I was highly impressed with our experience at Maker's Mark. It left me with a new found appreciation for the brand and some highly personal bottles to take home with me. Tip: Bottling and label production does not happen on Saturdays or Sundays if you are looking to book a weekend tour. read more
One of the best bourbon tours I've been on. Very informative and beautiful grounds. It can be a bit challenging to get there as some of the roads are winding and tight. Definitely worth the trip. Great little bar behind the reception area to try a cocktail before your tour. Unfortunately didn't get a chance to try the restaurant. The tour was well paced and a lot of great information was shared. Got to finish it off by dipping a few bottles and enjoying a great sample of Maker's. read more
Three-hour drive for Makers Mark, um yes please! We were staying south of Nashville for a mini vacation and Maker's Mark sounded like a wonderful day outing. One great aspect of the drive is really getting to see the back country of Kentucky, which is absolutely stunning! On arrival, you are greeted with the utmost hospitality from the staff. We made it just on time for the tour, which to be honest is one of the best tours I've been on in quite some time. Our host was so knowledgeable, funny, and just so sweet. In and out of barrel rooms, bottling lines, caves, and of course the tasting room was a treat. We sampled several whisky's (No E as a nod to the Scottish) and I was absolutely sold on all of them. We ended up purchasing a bottle in the tasting room shop so we could do the official "wax dip", which was well worth it quite honestly! All and all, I'd totally revisit in a heartbeat as it was such a great tour at a phenomenal price point! read more
5 months ago
We got to do our Ambassador tour today. Had Laura as our guide and it was great. Purchased several bottles of our batch and dipped them. Had lunch at the restaurant. All together very nice experience. read more
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1 year ago
Oh my word. So much fun and so interesting! Absolutely loved this tour! The tasting was delicious. The Chihuly exhibit superb. read more
11 months ago
Beautiful grounds!, so very well done. Sculpture displays, and a very entertaining and knowledge tour with Bailey! Ask for her!! She definitely gets 5 stars too!!! Eating at the restaurant now, almost all food is from the farm on location ! Having shush kabobs and fried apples.. read more
Had a wonderful, personable tour with Logan, learning much about Maker's Mark's history. We were on the ambassadors tour then got some drinks and food afterwards at the cocktail lounge. Chihuly art pieces everywhere- so beautiful! Tomato basil soup with grilled cheese croutons was incredible. The restaurant is currently being renovated but we will definitely be back to try it! read more
2 years ago
Best tour, hands down!! You must go to Maker's Mark Distillery. I visited August 2024 on a fine hot summer day! Let's go back! You have got to become a Maker's Mark Ambassador. I got to graduate this past weekend, dip my own bottle, and tour this amazing distillery for free. Ambassadors get two free tour tickets. Plus, nice swag and emails keeping you looped in on all things Maker's Mark. Our tour guide was the best I have had so far. I've been on about 15 tours, and she's #1 so far. I love it when people tell history in the most entertaining ways. It's stays with you. We were late and got switched. Everything happens for a reason! I was smiling and laughing and learning the whole team. I got a name tag with an Ambassador pin on it to wear. It was a memorable experience. In the end, we got to try 5 awesome Maker's products. 46 is my favorite! My Ambassador bottle is the regular Maker's. I got to dip my bottle. My sister bought me an Ambassador rock glass. Very mindful! Very demure! Lol! You must go to this distillery if in the area!! read more
10 months ago
One of our favorite properties to tour the history is so cool! We learn new things every time we come. Bailey our guide was amazing. read more
More info about Maker's Mark Distillery
3350 Burk Spring Rd
Loretto, KY 40037
Directions
(270) 865-2099
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https://www.makersmark.com
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Ask the Community - Maker's Mark Distillery
Do you have different closing hours during the summer months ie. July?
Where is a good place to stay the night? I'm looking for easy transportation to and from. Are there any hotels that offer a shuttle?
The nearest town is Bardstown which has a lot of hotels. We actually stayed at the Holiday Inn Express and is new and very nice. You will likely need a car to get to Bardstown unless you can find a tour bus service. I would Google to see if a tour…
Can you bring well behaved dogs?
Dogs are not permitted on the tours. You may be able to walk them around the parking lot, but once you enter the tour grounds they are not allowed.
I have a three year old. Will he be totally bored out of his mind?
Not necessarily. The grounds are beautiful, babbling brook and all. The inside of certain buildings are very cool with rock walls and stacks of barrels. It's unique so it may captivate a little ones interest for awhile.
Best place after your to have lunch?
They have an amazing restaurant on site Starhill Provisions. You HAVE to stop there for lunch its so GOOD! https://www.facebook.com/StarHillProvisions/
Review Highlights - Maker's Mark Distillery
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