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    Home » Bourbon

    Maker’s Mark Ambassador Tour (Loretto, KY)

    Published: Feb 21, 2023 · Leave a Comment

    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Are you a Maker’s Mark Ambassador or hoping to be? Here’s what to expect, as well as what a tour is like at this bourbon distillery!

    Souvenir bottle label from Maker's Mark Ambassador Tour.
    Souvenir Bottle Label

    Seven years ago, we signed up for the Maker’s Mark Ambassador program.

    They put your name on a barrel, and then after years go by, they let you know when your barrel is ready to bottle! And you get first dibs on buying the bourbon from your barrel.

    More recently, the ambassador program switched to an invite-only system. To get a chance at an invite, sign up for their email list.

    After seven years, we got a golden ticket (yes, a literal golden ticket) in the mail. Our barrel was ready!

    We visited for a Golden Ticket/Ambassador tour. The tour itself was similar to the standard tour, but with a slightly smaller group.

    Sign at top of brick steps saying "Maker's Mark Distillery."

    There are many destinations on Kentucky’s famous Bourbon Trail! Here’s a guide to the original distilleries. Newer places like Bardstown Bourbon Company and Lux Row offer great tours too.

    What to Expect on a Maker’s Mark Tour

    Maker’s Mark is located on gorgeous grounds in the Kentucky countryside.

    Maker's Mark buildings.
    Sheep grazing in field.
    Grounds at Maker’s Mark

    You’ll find artists’ works all around, such as the mosaics in the visitor center restroom area.

    Tile panel with quilt-like design showing multiple bourbon bottles seen on Makers Mark Ambassador tour.
    Mosaic Art
    Tile panel with quilt-like design showing multiple bourbon bottles seen on Makers Mark Ambassador Tour.
    Mosaic Art

    Glass artist Dale Chihuly has several stunning installations in the visitor center, in the ceiling above the barrels, and elsewhere on the grounds.

    Colorful stained glass ceiling.
    The Spirit of the Maker, glass art installation by Dale Chihuly
    Visitor area at Makers Mark with rocking chairs, decorative chandelier, and glass ceiling.
    Amber and New Oak Chandelier, glass art installation by Dale Chihuly

    For the tour, we started at the visitor center, and then walked to the distillery to see some of the stills and their cooker/fermenting vats.

    Wooden fermenting vats filled with mash seen on Makers Mark Ambassador Tour.
    Fermenting Vats
    Copper stills for bourbon making seen on Makers Mark Ambassador Tour.
    Stills

    We went through the printing press area, and got a souvenir bottle label.

    Label printing machine seen on Makers Mark Ambassador Tour.
    Label Printing Machine

    Next, we spent some time in a rickhouse. It smells so good in there! The smell is a combination of wood and evaporating bourbon (the “angels’ share”).

    We visited a temperature-controlled limestone cellar built just for Maker’s Mark “46” line, which adds seared French oak staves to the barrels and needs extra time to age.

    Limestone whiskey cellar at Maker's Mark.
    Limestone Whiskey Cellar

    This cave-like cellar ensures cool storage year-round.

    Barrels lining floor of limestone cellar seen on Makers Mark Ambassador Tour.
    Inside the Limestone Cellar

    Interested in delving into more facts about bourbon? I recommend the book Bourbon Curious. And see my post on how to drink bourbon for a beginner’s guide to tasting!

    Finally, we went to the bottling plant.

    Empty bottles on conveyor belt seen on  Makers Mark Ambassador Tour.
    Bottling Plant

    At the end of the tour is what we all had been waiting for: the tasting! Our samples included traditional Maker’s Mark, the 46, traditional at cask strength, the 46 at cask strength, and one of their specialty bourbons.

    Five bourbon glasses with sample pours on Makers Mark Ambassador Tour.
    Bourbon Tasting

    Back at the gift shop, you can purchase a bottle of Maker’s Mark and dip the bottle in their signature red wax. We did this and it was pretty fun!

    Woman dipping Maker's Mark bottle into red wax.
    Dipping Bottles in Wax

    If you want something to eat before you leave, the Star Hill Provisions café is a nice stop for snacks or a meal.

    Star Hill restaurant with outdoor bar seating.
    Star Hill Provisions Café

    They’re not always open, and sometimes they run on a limited menu, so check out the website if you’re planning on food — and maybe have snacks in the car as a backup.

    Menu card for Star Hill Provisions.
    Star Hill Menu
    Barbecue, smoked gouda grits, pickled veggie slaw, and cornbread.
    Barbeque, Smoked Gouda Grits, Pickled Veggie Slaw + Cornbread

    Star Hill also has a few signature cocktails (like a bourbon slushy and the Bardstown brulot, which features a cold brew concentrate, orange liqueur, and condensed milk).

    Bardstown brulot cocktail in glass.
    Bardstown Brulot

    Also, if there’s a specialty Maker’s Mark bourbon that you want to try, you can do that here.

    Whether you’re a Maker’s Mark Ambassador or just excited about touring, this beautiful facility is worth the trip!

    Maker's Mark distillery next to brick walkway.
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    About Sarah Trenalone

    Sarah is the primary creator at Champagne Tastes. She's a photographer, food writer and traveler, and is certified in Backcountry Kitchen and Backcountry Navigation from the Colorado Outward Bound School and Identifying Wild Plants from Backpacker.

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    Hi, I'm Sarah! I'm a traveler who loves to eat.   Follow along to join me on my next adventure-- in food or on the road.

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