Maker’s Mark has filled some important positions that have been open for a while. The Loretto, Kentucky distillery named Dr. Blake Layfield as Master Distiller and Beth Buckner will be Lead Blender.
Maker’s Mark said Layfield will “oversee the consistency and taste vision of Maker’s Mark bourbon, as well as new product innovation. In addition, Layfield will advance the many environmental and agricultural initiatives on Star Hill Farm, home to the Maker’s Mark distillery.”
Buckner has been with Maker’s Mark since 2013. Maker’s Mark said, “Beth’s exceptional palate, creativity, and leadership qualities led to her significant role in the development of the acclaimed Wood Finishing Series.”
Dr. Blake Layfield, Maker’s Mark Master Distiller
Lakefield came to Suntory Global Spirits (owner of Maker’s Mark) from Diago in 2019. His resume includes:
- A series of R&D and quality leadership roles in Kentucky, serving most recently as senior director of innovation, blending and quality for Maker’s Mark.
- A doctorate in Food Science from North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC and a General Certificate in Distilling from the Institute of Brewing and Distilling.
- Co-Chair on the Research Committee of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association.
- Serves on the board of the James B. Beam Institute at the University of Kentucky. (Source: Maker’s Mark)
“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.”
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.
