Leave plenty of extra time to find this one. Makers Mark is truly out in the middle of no where. The small map and directions on the website give you a false sense of security and leave you scratching your head. No matter, I was not to be denied and managed to arrive in time for the 10:30 tour.

Makers Mark is the Disneyland of bourbon distilleries. The tour was the most crowded on my trip with at least 25 people. The grounds are very attractive and impeccably maintained with all the buildings painted to match. The attractive tour guide belted out a well rehearsed description of all we saw, peppered with anecdotes for almost everything.

We saw the column still, doubler, and fermenters, where we were encouraged to taste the mash. This is a picture of the older of two printing presses that are used to hand print the bottle labels. The tour then visited a rickhouse where we stood in a fenced off area just inside the door. The guide explained the barreling and aging process while I examined a collection of cooper’s tools on the wall.

The bottling house was particularly interesting. Four workers hand dipped the bottles in the trade mark red plastic goo as they passed on the conveyor belt. The line was moving at a good clip, and the 'dippers' had to have the process down cold. The workers rotate between stations at frequent intervals for a change of pace and to help prevent repetitive motion strain.

There is no tasting, but you may buy a special bottle of Makers Mark in the gift shop and hand dip your own wax seal. This is great fun and a wonderful souvenir, but means you can never drink the contents without destroying your handiwork. I couldn't live with that deal, so I got a head start on finding my way back to Bardstown for lunch. Makers Mark is a very nice stop, but I recommend it more for the casual tourist. The serious bourbon enthusiast may find it a little over produced.

Makers Mark Distillery