Sweet oak, vanilla, bright fruit and wheat prevail in the nose. Sweet with balance of oak, vanilla and fruity essences. Smooth and creamy with a pleasant soft spice and clean finish.

There's an old joke at the distillery that goes, "If we could make it any faster, we wouldn't." Because at Maker's Mark, it's one bottle at a time. Every time. That's as true today as it was when our founders filled our first bottle. And since then, it's been a widely held belief around here that character isn't made by machine.

Soft red winter wheat is the Maker's Mark flavouring grain and star of its mash bill. In a day when distiller's rye – which can have an unwanted bite – was the go-to grain for whisky makers, Bill Samuels Sr., set out for a flavour that would let his new bourbon stand out in the crowd. After some trial and error, he discovered exactly what he was thirsting for.

The limestone shelf where the distillery is located is key to crafting the unique taste of Maker's Mark – the only distillery with its own water source and watershed. Kentucky limestone filters out iron from water, which is unpleasant in bourbon. The pure calcium- and magnesium-rich water surrounding the distillery makes better drinking water and a better sour mash in which yeast can flourish. The cooler temperature imparts more flavour while keeping the wood from expanding and releasing bitter tannins.