Maker's Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey was founded by Bill Samuels Sr. in 1953 when he burned the 170 year old recipe his family had for their whiskey. Setting off to make his own bourbon, he experimented with different grains when he finally made a sweet and smooth bourbon. His wife Margie Samuels, created the bottle design and also came up with the idea of red wax over the top of every bottle. Giving the signature drink, a signature look.