Maker’s Mark Appoints New Distillery Leadership to Elevate Innovation and Sustainability.
Maker’s Mark, one of Kentucky’s most iconic bourbon brands, has named Dr. Blake Layfield as its new Master Distiller, and Beth Buckner as Lead Blender. Layfield, who will oversee the brand’s flavor consistency and new product innovations, is also tasked with advancing Maker’s Mark’s sustainability efforts on Star Hill Farm. This includes enhancing the distillery’s environmental initiatives and leading the charge for a greener, more sustainable future in bourbon production. Layfield’s appointment follows his successful tenure at Suntory Global Spirits, where he held leadership roles in innovation and quality for Maker’s Mark. He also brings expertise with a doctorate in Food Science and a General Certificate in Distilling.
Visionary leadership has been a critical and consistent factor in the success of Maker’s Mark, from the moment Bill Sr. and Margie Samuels decided to create something completely different in the bourbon category 70 years ago. Blake embodies the brand’s commitment to culture, quality and a higher purpose, and I am thrilled he and the Maker’s Mark leadership team are guardians of the brand’s legacy and vanguards driving the brand forward.
– Rob Samuels
Layfield will continue to be supported by Beth Buckner, whose palate and creativity is credited to the brand’s success, particularly for her work in the Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series. Buckner joined Maker’s Mark in 2013 and will continue to lead the brand’s blending initiatives and contribute to its growing portfolio of products.
In addition to Layfield and Buckner, all operations at Maker’s Mark will continue under the leadership of Kim Harmon, the General Manager at the distillery. Harmon, who helped guide Maker’s Mark to its prestigious B Corp certification in 2022, has been instrumental in the distillery’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and operational excellence. With her background in safety and sustainability and her leadership experience with Heaven Hill and Suntory Global Spirits, Harmon exemplifies Maker’s Mark’s focus on quality, craftsmanship, and a relentless pursuit of perfection.
About Maker’s Mark:
In 1953, in Loretto, Ky. Bill Samuels, Sr., fulfilled his dream to create a handmade and delicious bourbon. He decided to make his whisky in small batches, using soft red winter wheat to enhance the softness and sweetness. He then rotated each barrel by hand for consistency and, finally, aged each barrel to taste. While he developed the bourbon, his wife Margie Samuels ideated the bourbon’s name and label, standout bottle shape, iconic and signature look that still involves hand-dipping each bottle in red wax to this day. Together as co-founders, Bill and Margie transformed bourbon from a “commodity” into a premium handmade spirit, and today Maker’s Mark® Kentucky Straight Bourbon continues to be crafted in the same, purposeful way.
In recent years, Maker’s Mark has introduced thoughtful, super-premium innovations to its portfolio, including Maker’s Mark 46, Maker’s Mark Cask Strength, and Maker’s Mark Cellar-Aged, all Double Gold winners of the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, as well as Maker’s Mark Private Selection: the brand’s custom barrel program. Maker’s Mark is the largest bourbon distillery in the world to achieve B Corp Certification and the first distillery to achieve Regenified certification, a reflection of the brand’s dedication towards building a more inclusive and sustainable economy. For more information, visit makersmark.com.
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