A few weeks ago, my sweet niece called and asked me to meet her and her brother and their spouses for a weekend in Louisville Kentucky. Their mother was turning 70 years old and there was going to be a surprise party for her. My brother and her divorced many years ago, but their mom was a huge part of my life when I was a young mother and I love spending time with my niece and nephew, so off I went!
I had not been to Kentucky before so looked forward to seeing new things and meeting new people. Jackie, the birthday girl, introduced me to her friends as “former sister in law and forever friend”, also her sister and I have known each other for years and have done aunt duty (showers, receptions etc.) together for years, so I had a roomie for the weekend. A whole weekend of fun was planned and it was great to just take part and not worry about where we were going or any details.
Most of us arrived late Thursday, so the adventure began Friday. They had gotten tickets for us to take a tour of the Marker’s Mark Distillery. I am not really a drinker, but I do make a great Beach Sangria and will enjoy a glass of wine every now and then. I was not sure how I would like a distillery since tasting is a big part of that. I had done some other booze-based tours in my travels and always learned so much.
We drove about an hour and half in the country side, which was just waking up to spring, but the rolling hills are so pretty and a great place for a drive. The grounds were like a story book, complete with a new born goat out in the pasture. We had a great tour guide and she was knowable but most of all passionate about the brand and what they did. The history of this company is full of love and dedication to both the bourbon and the land and natural resources that are used and surround the grounds. My favorite story was about Margie Samuels, the wife of the founder. She was the one who came up with the name. She had a collection of pewter and loved that each piece had a mark on the bottom, which is called the Makers Mark, and thus the name. She designed the label and the whole process of the red wax that seals each bottle. It is still done by hand on every bottle.
The time and energy that goes into each bottle is mind blowing, the choice of wood, how they age it and how they get the taste for the different versions they sell. It is all set up that you get a first hand look at how it is all done and then the story behind it. I was so impressed with their commitment to preserving the natural resources of the area that they use, and how there is no waste from anything; they use it all in some form or fashion.
Each generation has left they own “mark” on telling the story. Her son and grandson both install a great deal of glass art work all over the place. One area has many of Margie’s collectable glass pieces worked into the stained glass. Right off I asked who had done the glass work and was told it was mostly local artists. I have loved the work of Dale Chihuly for years, so I was thrilled when they took us into a room where the whole ceiling was a done in his glass work. It is breathtaking and called “Spirt of the Maker”. As the tour came to an end, we went into the tasting room. I sat down with 4 glasses of bourbon in front of me along with a glass of water. I am one to be part of the experience, so I was going to taste each and every one! Boy did it all burn going down! I don’t think I will ever make a bourbon drinker, but it was a great afternoon with great people. I did buy some bourbon honey for the next time I need a hot totty! So, go for it, even if something is not on your liking does not mean you will not learn and enjoy!
