Created by Bill Samuels, Sr. to be a bourbon that he would enjoy drinking himself, Maker?s Mark is smooth and approachable with an easy finish ? a true contrast to hot, harsh whiskies that ?blow your ears off,? and a downright revolutionary idea at the time. Maker?s Mark is made slowly in small batches, in our National Historic Landmark distillery in Loretto, Kentucky. While it makes any cocktail better, a lot of folks still prefer it on its own, or over ice with a splash of water.