Louisville, KY (May 11, 2015) – Bill Samuels, Jr., Chairman Emeritus at Maker’s Mark, will bring his wealth of bourbon knowledge to the fourth installment of the Kentucky Derby Museum’s unique and intimate Legends Series on June 2.
A legend in the whiskey business, Samuels is a seventh-generation distiller and son of Maker’s Mark founder, Bill Samuels, Sr. The younger Samuels was President and CEO of Maker’s Mark for 35 years, leading the company’s transformation into one of the world’s most recognized brands. Samuels retired in 2011, and now represents Maker’s Mark as Chairman Emeritus, sharing his stories and knowledge from a lifetime spent in the industry.
“It is always an honor to have Bill Samuels, Jr. in the Museum and a pleasure to listen to his wonderful, colorful bourbon stories,” noted Museum President Lynn Ashton.
Hosted by Museum Bourbon Authority and Wall Street Journal Best Selling Author Fred Minnick, the Legends Series is an ongoing celebration of the culture, people and history of bourbon. Minnick will interview Samuels in a journalistic talk show style, and the event will conclude with a Q&A segment where audience members will have the chance to ask their own questions.
"Bill Samuels Jr. is bourbon's most eclectic personality with an unrivaled business savvy that helped save this spirits category,” Minnick said. “Without Samuels leading Maker's Mark, I am not sure bourbon has the great comeback it's enjoying now. He's one of the most important people in bourbon history, but he also helped put the Kentucky Derby Museum on the map. At our Legends Series event, we'll meet the man who made red wax famous and honor the guy who led bourbon into its current boom."
Doors open for the event at 5:30 p.m. and tickets are $50 ($45 for Museum members), which includes appetizers and a tastings of Maker’s Mark, Maker’s Mark 46 and Maker’s Mark Cask Strength. Bottles of Maker’s Mark Cask Strength will be available for purchase. Get your tickets at www.derbymuseum.org (click here) or by calling 502-992-5903.
Samuels represents the fourth installment of the 2014-15 series, following MGM Master Distiller Greg Metze, Wild Turkey Master Distiller Jimmy Russell and Buffalo Trace Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley. The final Legends Series event of the season will take place Aug. 6 with bourbon historian Mike Veach.
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Maker’s Mark Chairman Emeritus Bill Samuels, Jr. Headlines Newest Legends Series Event
