Getting to Maker’s Mark Distillery isn’t a quick trip, though, and that’s just the way we wanted it. From Bowling Green, it was a meandering drive through beautiful farm country once we exited I-65. The distillery was out in the middle of nowhere, but it was definitely worth the drive.

Upon arrival, as we waited for the tour to begin, we wondered why on earth they would have a large book on glass artist Dale Chihualy sitting on the table in the waiting area. After all, wouldn’t a book on bourbon have made more sense? Oh well, we were quite content thumbing through the pages of his beautiful blown glass as we waited.

The tour was very interesting, and we especially enjoyed seeing the huge barrels of mash and watching the gals quickly dip the tops of each bottle in hot red wax. After being placed back on the conveyor, the bottles entered a miniature black tin “building” complete with red shutters to be cooled by fans. It was really very cute.

After our tour and tasting session, we were ushered through a hallway to end the tour in their very nicely displayed gift shop. This wasn’t just any ordinary hallway, though. As soon as we entered, we knew why that Dale Chihualy coffee table book was prominently displayed in their lobby. See below, and you’ll see what I mean. WOW!