Maker’s Mark Distillery

With a constant strive for detail, Maker's Mark Distillery holds even the minute accents of their buildings in high regard. The distillery's architecture reflects the strong colors of their product. Red represents the recognizable red wax; dark brown, the rich colored bourbon; and the occasional cream color of the label. Each shudder has been crafted to form a silhouette of the bourbon's strong bottle.

Workers periodically "slam dunk" bottles of bourbon to the delight of collectors and visitors who get to see the special bottles brought to life.

The mash appears to simmer as the yeast brings gases to the top of the 9,600 gallon barrels in the fermenting room. Eventually the mixture will turn completely over naturally. Out of the 9,600 gallons only 1,100 gallons are used for consumption.

Jude Hagan, 39, from Springfield, Ky., and Stacy Mattingly, 34, also from Marion County, have been working at Maker's Mark for one to one and a half years. Taking a smoke break from unloading empty barrels and reloading full 530 pound barrels from opposite sides of a warehouse, these two constantly joke and laugh to make the time fly by.

Inside a cylinder glass case, each bottle travels in an almost complete circle while being filled by bourbon. From there the bottles will be capped, labeled and waxed.

Constantly warmed inside a metal container, the famous red parafin wax stays at a temperture of more than 300 degrees. With a quick dip, cradle, spin and set, every bottle is uniquely hand dipped. Protective aprons, latex gloves and elbow sleeves keep the workers safe. Leah Wright, a tour guide and gift shop employee informs visitors that come in and hand dip their own bottles, that if the finished wax has seven tendrils, then it is considered an excellent dip.

With a final last check, imperfect bottles are pulled from the line before being boxed and shipped. Maker's Mark completed over 600,000 cases last year, and are continually growing. A year and date has never been printed on a Maker's Mark label so the taste is consistant and timeless. A panel of six judges smell and taste the batch on a daily basis, to determine if it needs further processing or if it is ready to be housed or shipped.

Sliding slowly across the cool, damp asphalt driveway leading to the Maker's Mark warehouses in Loretto, a gumdrop-size snail nears the end of its epic journey.