Makers Mark Bourbon Production
Makers Mark is one of America’s best-selling Bourbons, with a signature red wax coating. The company’s distillery in Kentucky produces nearly 150,000 bottles per day, using charred oak barrels that are crucial to the bourbon’s flavor and aroma.
Barrel Production
Kentucky Cooperage has been making bourbon barrels from white oak since 1960. The barrels are made from narrow strips of wood called staves, which are steamed to make them pliable. The staves are then fitted together using a hammer and temporary hoop, and the barrels are toasted and charred to bring out natural flavors and aromas.
Bourbon Production
The distillery gets up to six truckloads of corn per day, which is the most important ingredient in Makers Mark whiskey. The corn is mixed with other grains and water to make a mash, which is then fermented and distilled to produce a clear liquid. The liquid is then diluted with water and pumped into the charred barrels, where it ages for at least six years.
Challenges Facing White Oak Trees
White oak trees are essential for barrel making, but they can take nearly a century to mature. Other species like red maples can grow nearly five times as fast, and can quickly cover the forest canopy, blocking the sunlight that white oaks need to grow. Climate change and invasive species are also driving white oak loss in the US.
Makers Mark’s Response
Makers Mark has a breeding program and has planted 10,000 new seedlings on its property. The company is also studying 500 variations of white oaks from across the Eastern US to see which can best tolerate past diseases and a changing climate. The company’s goal is to help improve the species so that future seedlings will grow straighter and faster.
| Term | Definition | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Charred Oak Barrels | Barrels made from white oak that have been toasted and charred to bring out natural flavors and aromas. | Makers Mark uses charred oak barrels to give their bourbon a unique flavor and aroma. |
| Mash | A mixture of grains and water used to make whiskey. | The distillery mixes corn with other grains and water to make a mash, which is then fermented and distilled. |
| Distillery | A place where whiskey is made. | Makers Mark’s distillery in Kentucky produces nearly 150,000 bottles per day. |
| White Oak Trees | A type of tree used to make bourbon barrels. | White oak trees are essential for barrel making, but they can take nearly a century to mature. |
| Cooperage | The art of making barrels. | Kentucky Cooperage has been making bourbon barrels from white oak since 1960. |
| Staves | Narrow strips of wood used to make barrels. | The staves are steamed to make them pliable, then fitted together using a hammer and temporary hoop. |
| Charring | The process of burning the inside of a barrel to bring out natural flavors and aromas. | The barrels are toasted and charred to bring out natural flavors and aromas. |
| Bourbon | A type of whiskey made from corn and other grains. | Makers Mark is one of America’s best-selling Bourbons. |
| Fermentation | The process of converting sugars into alcohol. | The mash is fermented and distilled to produce a clear liquid. |
| Maturation | The process of aging whiskey in barrels. | The liquid is pumped into the charred barrels, where it ages for at least six years. |
Makers Mark Bourbon Production Vocabulary Quiz
Choose the correct answer for each question.
Question 1: What is the primary ingredient in Makers Mark whiskey?
Question 2: What is the purpose of charring the oak barrels?
Question 3: What is the name of the company that makes bourbon barrels from white oak?
Question 4: What is the main challenge facing white oak trees?
Question 5: What is Makers Mark’s goal for its white oak breeding program?
Answer Key
1. b) Corn
2. b) To bring out natural flavors and aromas
3. b) Kentucky Cooperage
4. b) Climate change and invasive species
5. b) To improve the species so that future seedlings will grow straighter and faster
The Use of the Present Perfect Continuous Tense
| The present perfect continuous tense is used to describe an action that started in the past and continues up to the present moment. It is often used to talk about actions that have a connection to the present. In the text, we can see examples of the present perfect continuous tense being used to describe ongoing processes and actions. |
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Quiz Time!
Choose the correct answer for each question.
1. How long has Kentucky Cooperage been making bourbon barrels?
A) Since 1960
B) For nearly a century
C) For at least six years
D) Since the company was founded
2. What is happening to the white oak trees in the US?
A) They are growing faster than red maples
B) They are being protected by Makers Mark
C) They are being threatened by climate change and invasive species
D) They are being replaced by other species
3. What is Makers Mark doing to help improve the white oak species?
A) Planting 10,000 new seedlings on its property
B) Studying 500 variations of white oaks from across the Eastern US
C) Breeding program to help the trees grow faster
D) All of the above
4. How many truckloads of corn does the distillery get per day?
A) Up to six
B) Nearly 150,000
C) At least six years’ worth
D) Enough to make a mash
5. How long does the liquid produced by the distillery age for?
A) At least six years
B) Nearly a century
C) For at least six months
D) Until it is ready to be bottled
Answer Key
1. A) Since 1960
2. C) They are being threatened by climate change and invasive species
3. D) All of the above
4. A) Up to six
5. A) At least six years
