[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 16 (Tuesday, February 10, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E154-E155]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING MAKER'S MARK DISTILLERY FOR 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF FIRST BATCH

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON LEWIS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 10, 2004

  Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 
50th anniversary of the first batch of whisky being barreled at the 
Maker's Mark Distillery in Loretto, Kentucky.
  As you may be aware, bourbon whisky is ``America's native spirit.'' 
It was recognized by a 1964 Act of Congress as a ``Distinctive product 
of the United States.'' This designation has brought prestige and 
respect to this fine whisky. However, over the years, the Maker's Mark 
brand has brought even more.
  Maker's Mark was created in 1953 by Bill Samuels, Sr. Dissatisfied 
with the traditional

[[Page E155]]

taste of bourbon, he forsook his family's generations-old bourbon 
recipe and created a new one. By substituting red winter wheat for the 
typical bourbon flavoring grain of rye, he created a bourbon that was 
gentler on the palate, yet remained full-flavored. This not only 
created a whisky with a surprisingly smooth finish, it created a whole 
new class of bourbon: premium bourbon. Today, every other premium 
bourbon on the market owes its existence to that first batch of Maker's 
Mark that went into the barrel in 1954.
  Maker's Mark is still handcrafted every step of the way at the same 
distillery, which is the world's oldest working bourbon distillery in 
continuous operation and has been designated a National Historic 
Landmark. Each bottle is hand-dipped in its distinctive signature red 
sealing wax, symbolizing the brand's handcrafted nature. No wonder it 
has become the top-selling bourbon in the state of Kentucky, the number 
one call brand bourbon in New York City, and one of the few brands of 
bourbon that continues to grow in a declining product category.
  Maker's Mark has brought tremendous economic benefits to the State of 
Kentucky, not only by providing a steady source of employment for 
Kentucky residents, but also through regular contributions to local and 
national charities. Maker's Mark also is a key destination on the 
Bourbon Heritage Trail, which brings thousands of visitors to our State 
annually.
  While the Maker's Mark folks are committed to making fine bourbon, 
they're also passionate about helping to ensure that their product is 
enjoyed responsibly. That's why they and other distillers have joined 
forces to invest millions of dollars in the Century Council, a national 
not-for-profit group dedicated to reducing drunk driving and underage 
drinking.
  For all of these accomplishments, the men and women at Maker's Mark 
deserve our utmost respect and our heartfelt congratulations.

                          ____________________