Margie Samuels was a true innovator in the bourbon industry. While she didn’t create the whiskey itself—that was the work of her husband, Bill Samuels—Margie was responsible for everything else that made Maker’s Mark ubiquitous
in bars around the world.
A collector of fine pewter, she suggested the bourbon’s name as a reflection of the mark that pewter makers etched onto every piece. The bottle shape and the iconic red wax-dipped top were also her ideas. And her notion that people would
want to travel to tiny Loretto, Kentucky, to see where their favorite bourbon was made was the beginning of bourbon tourism.
To celebrate Margie Samuels, Maker’s Mark has released a special Margie Samuels Founder’s Bottle. And to continue encouraging women innovators, the distillery is gifting $25 from each $64.95 bottle that is sold to
Bellarmine University’s Rubel School of Business to fund scholarships for entrepreneurs
who are women of color. Maker’s Mark CEO Rob Samuels, Margie Samuels’ grandson, is a member of the Rubel School Executive Board.
“And when we talk about women entrepreneurs, we are hoping they would have that same spirit.”
“When we think about the iconic role that Margie Samuels has played, as somebody who understood the importance of branding, who understood the importance of getting the word out—she was a pioneer before her time,” said Dr. Natasha Munshi,
dean of the Rubel School. “And when we talk about women entrepreneurs, we are hoping they would have that same spirit.”
The special-edition bottling features a portrait of Margie Samuels by Owensboro, Kentucky, artist Aaron Kizer, and each bottle is hand-signed by Margie’s son, Bill Samuels Jr., chair emeritus of Maker’s Mark and former Chair of the Bellarmine
University Board of Trustees.
The Margie Samuels Founder’s Bottle is available for purchase at the Maker’s Mark Distillery.