MAKER’S MARK ANNOUNCES CRAFT-INSPIRED BARTENDER WORKSHOPS

‘The Makers’ 2018 will educate bartenders on the handcrafted credentials of Maker’s Mark

The series of intimate, hands-on workshops are set to launch in the UK this August

LONDON – 26^th JULY, 2018 – Maker’s Mark, the premium handcrafted American whisky, has announced its UK bartender engagement programme for 2018, The Makers – launching nationwide this August.

Kicking off on the 6^th of August in London, The Makers 2018 will roll out across London, Edinburgh, Manchester and Bristol.

Following the success of last year’s workshops, The Makers will once again offer UK bartenders an immersive and educational experience into the world of premium bourbon through a series of intimate, hands-on workshops aimed at providing practical crafts and skills which they can take back to use in their bars. This comes in light of an exponential boom in popularity of American whisky among UK drinkers as the Premium American whiskey category continues to grow in both volume +30% and value +22% respectively [1] – the second fastest growing spirits category behind gin.

Each uniquely designed to showcase the handcrafted credentials of Maker’s Mark, the experience will explore the fundamental elements that go into the creation of the liquid by delving into experiences based around wheat, wax, paper and wood. Bartenders interested in building on their knowledge of the bourbon category can sign up, here: www.jointhemakers.com

Starting in London, The Makers wheat workshop features artisan doughnut making at Bread Ahead lead by renowned baker, Manuel Monade, using the same Red Winter Wheat that gives Maker’s Mark its smooth characteristics and sweet flavour.

The wax workshops will encourage bartenders to personalise wax candles, representing how every single bottle of Maker’s Mark is still hand-dipped in Maker’s signature red wax – an iconic design feature in which every drip is distinctively different.

Partnering with London Print Club, bartenders will create bespoke cocktail mats as part of the paper session, signifying how every Maker’s Mark label continues to be printed and hand-pressed at the distillery.

And finally, each bartender will be given training in how to expertly engrave bar tools as part of the wood workshop. Carving inspired by Maker’s Mark innovative wood stave finishing process to achieve premium taste and consistency.

Amanda Humphrey, Maker’s Mark Brand Diplomat said: “We have a rich history and heritage of doing things differently, so we wanted to move away from traditional bartender training and offer immersive hands on opportunities to understand and experience craftsmanship. These bespoke experiences aim to offer bartenders an insight into the unique process that goes into making each and every bottle of Maker’s Mark.”

Inspired by the distilling process Maker’s Mark has used since its first bottling in 1958, the series of workshops will explore the fundamentals of American whiskey and the four elements that make Maker’s Mark the leading bourbon in its category, welcoming bartenders to #jointhemakers and live by the ‘heart-made, head-made, hand-made’ mantra.

The Maker’s Workshops are running from 6th August in London, Edinburgh, Manchester and Bristol.

For more information on dates for the workshops and how to sign up please visit: www.jointhemakers.com

• August – London – Wheat
• August – Manchester – Wax
• September – Manchester – Wheat
• September – Edinburgh – Wax
• September – London – Paper
• October – London – Wax 

Notes:

[1] Source: Off Trade – Nielsen 19.05.18, On Trade – CGA 21.04.18

About Maker’s Mark® Bourbon:

In 1954, in Loretto, Kentucky, Bill Samuels, Sr., fulfilled his dream of creating a handmade and delicious bourbon. He decided to make his whisky in small-batches, using soft red winter wheat, with a proprietary barrel char to enhance the softness and sweetness. Bill Samuels, Sr., transformed bourbon from a “commodity” into a premium handmade spirit, and today Maker’s Mark® continues to make its bourbon exactly the same way. In recent years, Maker’s Mark has introduced thoughtful, super-premium innovations to its portfolio including Maker’s 46®.

In 1980, the Maker’s Mark distillery became the first distillery in America to be designated a National Historic Landmark and has also been decreed as the “world’s oldest operating bourbon whisky distillery” by Guinness World Records. It remains one of the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s most popular tourist destinations, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. For more information, please visit www.makersmark.com.

 About Edrington-Beam Suntory Distribution UK:

Edrington-Beam Suntory Distribution UK is one of the UK’s biggest spirits sales, marketing and distribution companies. It is a joint-venture company jointly owned by Edrington and Beam Suntory.

Edrington-Beam Suntory UK represents leading whiskies brands in categories including:

• Blended Scotch (The Famous Grouse, Naked Grouse and Teacher’s)
• Malt whisky (Highland Park, Laphroaig, The Macallan and Ardmore)
• Japanese whiskies (Yamazaki, Hibiki and Hakushu)
• Bourbon (Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark and Knob Creek)
• Imported whiskies (Canadian Club and Kilbeggan Irish whiskey)

It also handles UK sales and distribution for Courvoisier cognac, Snow Leopard vodka, Roku gin, Brugal 1888 rum and a portfolio of liqueurs and specialities (including Sourz, Bols liqueurs, Galliano and After Shock).