A visit to Maker’s Mark Distillery in Loretto, Kentucky doesn’t just happen. It’s not a distillery you just pass by while driving down the highway and drop in. It’s a distillery that takes a while to get to. It’s off the beaten path (be sure to use the directions below, you’ll thank us later). It’s a distillery visit that you go to on purpose. Add all that up and that’s just one of the reasons why its one of the best distillery tours in the U.S.
Maker’s Mark Distillery is one of the oldest distilleries in the country. The original distillery on this site was the Burks’ Mill and Distillery. It was built by Charles Burks between 1805 and 1815. The gristmill and distillery operated until Burks passed away in 1831. In 1889, distilling was begun again by George R. Burks, a great-grandson. He erected the present plant where the stillhouse now stands.
What we know today at Maker’s Mark Distillery began on this site in 1953 by Co-Founders Bill Samuels, Sr. and his wife Margie Samuels. Production began a year later in 1954 and four years later they bottled their first Kentucky bourbon whisky in 1958. Unlike many distilleries that have updated to modern processes not much has changed here since its founding. Many of the methods in use today are still done the old-fashioned way, often by hand, the same way they’ve been done for 70 years. And that is what makes a visit to this distillery so charming.
Introducing the Maker’s Mark Star Hill Farm Experience Tours
Star Hill Farm Experiences is a new series of visitor tours at the home of Maker’s Mark. The tours are designed to provide guests with a deeper look at the 1,100 acres of expansive natural land on which Maker’s Mark Bourbon is crafted, as well as the sustainability, agriculture and research initiatives underway that allow the brand to cultivate bourbon that betters the world, while crafting the most flavorful products possible.
The Star Hill Farm Experiences are a natural extension of the vision on which Maker’s Mark was founded. Matriarch Margie Samuels was a pioneering force behind bourbon tourism in the 1950s, opening the property to family, friends, curious locals, and travelers before formal distillery tours existed. Her belief that people should be given the opportunity to see where and how their favorite products are crafted is amplified with the new experiences, as guests are given the opportunity to not only see the production process, but also participate in Maker’s Mark’s pursuit of flavor through nature.
“Since the founding of Maker’s Mark in 1953, achieving the distinctive flavor and quality of our whisky has remained a direct reflection of the environment that surrounds us,” said Rob Samuels, 8th generation whisky maker and grandson of the Maker’s Mark founders.
“We’re proud to offer these new, immersive experiences that not only let visitors explore the natural beauty that Star Hill Farm has to offer, but also better understand and appreciate nature’s influence on the whisky in their glass.”
Stay Informed: Sign up here for the Distillery Trail free email newsletter and be the first to get all the latest news, trends, job listings and events in your inbox.
Initial tour offerings now available for booking include:
- The Oak Experience: Oak is a critical part of the bourbon making process. One of the legal requirements of making bourbon is that it must be aged in new charred oak barrels (containers). The Oak Experience is a first-hand introduction to the American oak tree from soil to sip, including a visit to the white oak research forest, a journey and toast to the Mother Oak tree (one of the oldest oaks in Kentucky) and the opportunity for guests to plant their own white oak. Maker’s Mark and The University of Kentucky collaborated on a comprehensive, industry-first effort to map the genome of “MM1,” a white oak tree on Star Hill Farm estimated to be up to 500 years old. Studying the genetic data of this mother tree will provide information about the species’ longevity, disease resistance and vitality.
- The Seasonal Star Hill Farm Tour: This tour takes guests on a sensory exploration of Star Hill Farm tailored to the season, including crop harvests, livestock visitation and discovery of ingredients grown on-property for the cocktail and culinary programs.
- The Maker’s Mark Art and Design Tour: Artwork has always been a part of the distillery. When walking through Warehouse B (on the way to the gift and bottle shop) make sure to look up and see the Chihuly glassworks. In reality, you can’t miss it. What you may miss though are the hidden cherubs. If you take a close look you’ll find five hiding among the beautiful sea urchins. Throughout the tour you’ll discover world-class art and design features, all of which is designed in harmony with and in celebration of its natural surroundings on Star Hill Farm.
“In the past, our guests have only been able to explore a small piece of our home at Star Hill Farm,” said Amanda Humphrey, Star Hill Farm Advocacy and Experience Manager. “With these experiences, we’re excited to invite those interested in learning more about Maker’s Mark to see, touch and interact with the wood, wheat and water that are essential to our bourbon. Come forage for ingredients we use in bar and restaurant programs, meet the livestock that enrich our soil and call Star Hill Farm home, and see the environmental research projects we have undertaken first-hand.”
Additional experiences will be introduced regularly and will vary based on the Kentucky seasons. Future offerings will include truffle foraging, an apiary and beekeeping experience, an immersive look at estate-grown grains, sorghum harvesting, and more. New tour offerings are available in addition to the classic Maker’s Mark distillery tours, offering first-time visitors the chance to design their perfect day at Maker’s Mark and give existing fans a reason to return.
In 1953 Bill Samuels, Sr., fulfilled his dream to create a handmade and delicious bourbon. He decided to make his whisky in small batches, using soft red winter wheat to enhance the softness and sweetness. He then rotated each barrel by hand for consistency and, finally, aged each barrel to taste.
While he developed the bourbon, Margie Samuels ideated the bourbon’s name and label, standout bottle shape, iconic and signature look that still involves hand-dipping each bottle in red wax to this day.
Together Bill and Margie transformed bourbon from a “commodity” into a premium handmade spirit, and today Maker’s Mark® Kentucky Straight Bourbon continues to be crafted in the same, purposeful way.
Today, Maker’s Mark is the largest bourbon distillery in the world to achieve B Corp Certification and the first distillery to achieve Regenified certification, a reflection of the brand’s dedication towards building a more inclusive and sustainable economy.
Pro Tip When Visiting Kentucky Distilleries – “Book Now, Bourbon Later”
Plan, Plan, Plan. As visits to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour become more popular, trying to get in to visit a distillery gets a little harder. Many tours book up weeks and months in advance especially in the summer months. It is always a good idea to book ahead online or call ahead to make reservations.
The same thing is true for dining and overnight accommodations, book early.
The Kentucky Distillers’ Association encouraging people to “Book Now, Bourbon Later” due to the rise in demand for authentic, curated and rare experiences.
- Plan your route first.
- Don’t wait until the last minute to book.
- Know that most distilleries cannot accommodate walk-ins.
- Don’t forget to make restaurant reservations, too.
- Remember to respect the Trail. Be kind, be responsible and be respectful.
- Bonus Tip: If it is festival time like during the Kentucky Bourbon Festival make plans well in advance.
Learn more about Maker’s Mark Distillery.
View all Bardstown/Nelson County Distilleries.
View all Kentucky Distilleries.
View all U.S. Distilleries.
View all Certified B Corp Distilleries.
View all Kentucky Bourbon Trail Distilleries.
View all Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour Distilleries
View all Kentucky Bourbon Trail’ & ‘Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour’ Distilleries on one page.
Maker's Mark Distillery at Star Hill Farms 1,100 Acre Campus
1) Regenerative Farming Practices
In 2022, the 1,100 acres of Star Hill Farm earned Tier 2 certification from Regenified, an independent regenerative soil verification leader. The brand champions regenerative farming practices to improve soil biology, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and maximize the flavor of everything the farm yields.
2) Local Ingredient Sourcing
86% of the ingredients featured at our on-site restaurant and in our cocktail program are grown on-site or, like the ingredients in our whisky, sourced from within a 30- to 60-mile radius.
3) Farm Tour Visitors’ Experience
A new “farm tour” visitors’ experience gives distillery visitors a chance to learn not only about how we make our whisky, but how we are protecting and nurturing our natural environment.
4) Zero Waste-to-Landfill Distillery
Maker’s Mark became a zero waste‑to‑landfill distillery in December 2022 through diligent recycling, reuse and composting efforts supported by the entire employee team.
5) The Right Weight4. Zero Waste-to-Landfill Distillery
Maker’s Mark became a zero waste‑to‑landfill distillery in December 2022 through diligent recycling, reuse and composting efforts supported by the entire employee team.
Maker’s 46® refreshed its packaging, reducing its weight by 32% and enabling a 975-tonne CO2e decrease.
6) On-Site Lakes
Maker’s Mark founders Bill and Margie Samuels purposefully chose Star Hill Farm for their whisky distillery because of its access to spring-fed water sources. Protection and conservation of these on-site lakes continues to be a central part of our environmental stewardship.
7) The Genome Tree
Maker’s Mark and The University of Kentucky collaborated on a comprehensive, industry-first effort to map the genome of “MM1,” a white oak tree on Star Hill Farm estimated to be up to 500 years old. Studying the genetic data of this mother tree will provide information about the species’ longevity, disease resistance and vitality.
8) Natural Water Sanctuary
Maker’s Mark owns 100% of the watershed surrounding our water source, with 75 acres – and expanding – designated as Natural Water Sanctuary.
9) Native Plants and Pollinator Garden
We plant native grasses in the Natural Water Sanctuary to increase biodiversity and the water quality with greater contact between water and limestone. The plants also help reintroduce native pollinators, including bees, butterflies and groundnesting birds.
10) Cover Crops & Livestock
Using systems like cover crops and rotational grazing, we’re helping improve soil structure and health as part of the holistic regenerative farming model. As ruminant animals are reintroduced to the land, they improve the diversity of soil biology and leave organic fertilizer for plants.
11) White Oak Research Forest
With the University of Kentucky, Maker’s Mark created the world’s largest white oak research forest. With more than 400 unique families of white oak trees, the oak forest acts as a living laboratory for scientists to study, understand and improve the species.
Directions to Maker's Mark Distillery
As we mentioned in the introduction. Maker’s Mark Distillery is off the beaten path. Maker’s Mark Distillery address is 3350 Burks Spring Rd., Loretto, KY 40037.
Pro Tip: Cell phone service gets a little spotty once you get close, so it may be helpful to print or save directions before you hit the road.
From: Louisville, Kentucky
Driving time: Approximately 1 hour, 30 minutes.
- Take I-65 South from Louisville to exit #112, Clermont/Bernheim Forest exit. At ramp turn left onto Hwy. 245 South to Bardstown.
- Take Hwy. 245 to intersection of Hwy. 62, turning right, and continue on Hwy. 62 east for approx. 2 miles. Hwy. 62 runs into Hwy. 150 where you will turn left and continue approx. 2 miles and drive past My Old Kentucky Home State Park.
- At intersection of Hwy. 150 and 49, turn right onto Hwy. 49 South and follow the brown historical landmark signs to Holy Cross, which will direct you to go left onto Hwy. 49.
- Follow Hwy. 49 where you will turn left onto Hwy. 52 East into Loretto.
- Continue on through Loretto.
- Turn left onto Burks Spring Road and historic Maker’s Mark Distillery is straight ahead.
From: Lexington, Kentucky
Driving Time: Approximately 1 hour, 15 minutes.
- Take U.S. 60 West 6 miles to Martha Layne Collins Blue Grass Parkway.
- Merge onto the Parkway toward Elizabethtown and drive 30 miles to the Springfield/Lebanon exit (Exit 42).
- Take the exit and turn left toward Springfield/Lebanon on KY 555 S.
- Turn right onto Hwy. 150 (at McDonald’s).
- Turn left onto Hwy. 152.
- Turn left onto KY 49.
- Turn left onto KY 52.
- Turn left onto Burks Spring Road, and historic Maker’s Mark Distillery is straight ahead.
From: Nashville, Tennessee
Driving Time: Approximately 3 hours, 30 minutes.
- Take I-65 North to Elizabethtown, Ky., to Bluegrass Parkway East.
- Continue to Bardstown Exit #25.
- Turn left at the exit onto Hwy. 150.
- Turn left onto Hwy. 49 South (at McDonald’s).
- Follow Hwy. 49 where you will turn left onto Hwy. 52 East into Loretto.
- Continue on through Loretto.
- Turn left onto Burks Spring Road and historic Maker’s Mark Distillery is straight ahead.
Note: Loretto is in the Eastern Time Zone – one hour ahead of Nashville which is in the Central Time Zone.
Stay Informed: Sign up here for the Distillery Trail free email newsletter and be the first to get all the latest news, trends, job listings and events in your inbox.
Please help to support Distillery Trail. Sign up for our Newsletter, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
