Loretto, Kentucky (NAPSI) - To many, the origins of one of the world’s most iconic handcrafted bourbons reflect the spirit ofAmerica and the realization of the American dream.
That bourbon, Maker’s Mark®, is now the inspiration for a special work of art created by renowned artist Dale Chihuly. The artwork, entitled “The Spirit of the Maker,” commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Bourbon Revolution and pays tribute to Bill Samuels, Sr., and his wife Margie, the founders of the company. Sixty years ago, Bill and Margie decided to create a bourbon that tasted good and would not “blow your ears off,” the measure by which bourbons were judged at the time; a bourbon that would appeal to bourbon and non-bourbon drinkers alike. Unknowingly, their handcrafted creation, made with soft red winter wheat instead of the traditional rye, served as the shot that started a Bourbon Revolution, transforming bourbon from a “commodity” to a premium handcrafted spirit, and giving rise to the modern era of bourbon. “The Spirit of the Maker” is situated in a rack house filled with aging bourbon barrels. Its overhead canopy features countless pieces of glass; a kaleidoscope of shapes and colors including deep browns and vibrant ambers emblematic of the bourbon, crystal blues representative of the Distillery’s spring-fed lake, and rich reds illustrative of the iconic red wax into which each bottle is hand dipped. The installation is on permanent display at the Maker’s Mark Distillery in Loretto, Ky. To learn more, visit www.makersmark.com/distillery.
Whisky Smash
2 parts Maker’s Mark® Bourbon
4 mint leaves
½ part fresh lemon
1 part simple syrup
Muddle all ingredients except Maker’s Mark® Bourbon in a bar glass. Add Maker’s Mark® Bourbon and shake with ice. Strain into an ice-filled rocks glass. Garnish with a sprig of mint and a lemon wheel.
