|
Maker's Mark is a small-batch bourbon whisky that is distilled in Loretto, Kentucky, by Beam Suntory. It is sold in distinctively squarish bottles, which are sealed with red wax〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Maker's Mark Wax )〕, and bottled at 90 U.S. proof (45% alcohol by volume). The distillery offers tours, and is part of the American Whiskey Trail and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. ==History== Production of Maker's Mark started in 1954, after its originator, T. William "Bill" Samuels Sr., purchased the distillery known as "Burks' Distillery" in Loretto, Kentucky for $35,000〔(Samuels To Step Down As Maker's Mark President ), Bruce Schreiner, Associated Press, 12 Jan. 2011.〕 on October 1, 1953.〔()〕 The first bottle of Maker's Mark was bottled in 1958 and featured the brand's distinctive dipped red wax seal. Maker's Mark holds a U.S. trademark (serial number 73526578) on the wax seal of their bottles. In the 1960s and 1970s, Maker's Mark was widely marketed with the tag line, "It tastes expensive ... and is."〔(IT TASTES EXPENSIVE...AND IS ) trademark description page.〕 The distillery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 31, 1974, and designated a National Historic Landmark on December 16, 1980, listed as "Burks' Distillery". It was the first distillery in America to be so recognized where the landmark buildings were in active use for distilling. Maker's Mark was sold to Hiram Walker & Sons in 1981. Subsequently Hiram Walker was acquired by the distillery giant Allied Domecq in 1987, which in turn sold Maker's Mark to Deerfield, Illinois-based Fortune Brands in 2005,〔 when Allied-Domecq was bought by Pernod Ricard. In 2011 Fortune Brands split; its drinks business became Beam Inc. After the brand's creation by Bill Samuels Sr., its production was overseen by his son Bill Samuels Jr. until 2011 when he announced his retirement as president and CEO of Maker's Mark at the age of 70. His son Rob Samuels succeeded him in April 2011.〔 On February 9, 2013, the company sent a mass e-mail announcing a plan to reduce the alcohol strength of the whisky—citing supply issues as the reason for the change.〔http://www.wfpl.org/post/markers-mark-coo-rob-samuels-extremely-short-supply-led-reduction-alcohol-volume〕 The result of this change would have been to reduce the product from 90 U.S. proof (45% alcohol by volume) to 84 U.S. proof (42% alcohol by volume). While Maker's Mark claimed that their own tasting panel of distillery employees cited no taste difference in the lower proof, consumers and journalists disagreed with strong feedback through social media. On February 17, the company said that it had reconsidered its decision after receiving a strong negative reaction from customers, and that it will continue to bottle at the original strength.〔("Maker's Mark to restore alcohol content of whiskey." )〕 Some overseas markets like Australia will continue to sell the whisky at 40%.〔http://www.theshout.com.au/2013/02/13/article/No-change-to-Makers-Mark-ABV-in-Australia-Beam/BTCLUKUCJA.html〕 Although speculation has clouded the Maker's Mark proof reduction controversy and a number of fans and industry professionals believe it was a publicity stunt, Rob Samuels maintains that it was not. In January 2014 it was announced that "the maker of classic American whiskeys Jim Beam and Maker's Mark has agreed to be acquired by a Japanese company Suntory in a $13.62 billion deal that would create the third largest global premium spirits business." News of the proposed sale included bourbon executives vowing, "the product taste won't change — and neither will the company's historic purity standards." In September 2014, Maker's Mark released a Maker's Mark Cask Strength Bourbon in limited quantities initially available only at their distillery gift shop and select stores. This uncut and unfiltered cask strength bourbon at 113.2 proof marked their sixth expression available in the U.S. in addition to original Maker's Mark at 90 proof, Maker's 46, Maker's Mark White, Maker's Mark at 84 proof, and pre-bottled seasonal Maker's Mark Mint Julep.〔 In November, 2015 Suntory announced a major expansion of its distillery. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Maker's Mark」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|