Chances are if you enjoy hard alcohol, you’ve gone through a bourbon phase. And you wouldn’t be alone. The brown liquor grew so much in popularity over the past couple of decades that in 2019, distilleries in Kentucky (where 95% of the liquor is produced) manufactured over 1.7 million barrels of bourbon — almost four times greater than the amount distilled in 1999, per VinePair.
Bourbon, which is whiskey that is distilled with at least 51% corn and aged in new charred oak barrels, is known for a sweet taste that differentiates it from other forms similar spirits like rye whiskey or Scotch. One of most acclaimed bourbon brands is Maker’s Mark. In fact, it was the fourth best-selling American whiskey brand worldwide in 2020, behind mainstays Jim Beam, Jack Daniel’s, and Evan Williams (via The Spirits Business).
Easy to drink, priced well, and widely available, Maker’s is a great jumping off point to dive into the world of bourbon. Whether you enjoy it neat, on the rocks, or shaken into a classic cocktail like a Manhattan or Old Fashioned, here is what you need to know about Maker’s Mark.