Day Seven

Maker’s Mark

This morning we dropped Mom off at the airport. Dad and I thought we would visit the glass blowing factory, but it was closed. We then thought we could explore the Ohio River Park banks for fossils, but the park was miniscule. We heard from a neighbor that the Marker’s Mark distillery tour was very interesting, so we gave it a shot.

It was a fun experience! We drove an hour through the countryside to get to the distillery on the Bourbon Trail. (For those of you who don’t know, Kentucky is famous for its bourbon) The drive was very pretty through the rolling hills of farmland.

The distillery itself was beautiful. This is the center of the grounds.

Inside, are two copper tanks that the grain mush (not the technical term) and vapors are separated through.

The yeast is added to the mixture for three days. Each one of these Cyprus tanks holds the liquid. We got to taste the liquid from each day. Maker’s Mark is unique for many reasons, but one is the Cyprus tanks. The wood is now endangered and can no longer be used. These tanks are the originals.

The bourbon sits in these barrels for about 6 years give or take. In a black, aluminum and tin barn.

We then went into the printing press where they print their own labels on a 1937 press. Following the printing press we got to sample four of their products.

 It was an interesting experience, but bourbon isn’t my taste. Bourbon balls on the other hand, completely are!

We had lunch outside the distillery, and it was fun to see all the farmers’ trucks leave with the grain mush to feed their cattle. Our tour guide said there are a lot of drunk cattle in Kentucky. I believe it.

All together we had an interesting and fun day. Tomorrow we are off to Nashville and a new time zone.

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