Loretto: Maker’s Mark Distillery Guided Tour & Tasting review

My verdict: the hand-dipped red wax bottle is the memory people take home. Seventy-five minutes in Loretto, well south of Frankfort, walking the production line and hearing the Samuels family story, mostly outdoors. Reviewers praise the grounds as much as the bourbon. Factor the drive: this is a detour, not a Frankfort add-on.

4.8★★★★★12 reviewsfrom $30

Duration75 minutes

LocationLoretto (south of Frankfort)

HighlightRed wax hand-dip

FormatProduction walk, outdoors

IncludesDistillery tour and tasting

What the tour covers

Maker’s Mark is a working distillery south of Frankfort, well off the beaten path. The tour walks the production buildings (grain, fermentation, distillation, charred-oak ageing), then the hand-dip: you help seal a bottle with the iconic red wax. Guide covers the Samuels family story and how Maker’s became the first US distillery to hand-dip. Tasting at the end. Starts at the Visitors Center.

What works

The red wax hand-dip is a genuine keepsake and a photo moment
Beautiful grounds and historic buildings, genuinely breathtaking
Guides praised by name: Cheyenne (aka Cornbread) and Kim for knowledge and fun
The story of the Samuels family is well-told
Seventy-five minutes is a solid deep-dive
Guests consistently praise the whole experience as “entertaining and educational”

Worth knowing

Mostly outdoors with no seating anywhere on the route; dress for weather
Loretto is a drive; plan for travel time from Louisville or Frankfort
The dipping process, while fun, is the real show — the tour otherwise follows
Under-21s can join but cannot taste
Weather-dependent; a rainy day changes the experience

Price$30 per person

Rating4.8 / 5

Reviews12

Duration75 minutes

OutdoorsMostly, no seating

HighlightRed wax dip

Insider tip

Wear clothes you don’t mind staining and closed-toe shoes with good grip. The grounds are uneven and the walk covers gravel. Bring water; there’s a cafe but the outdoor path is quiet. Book morning if the weather looks uncertain; afternoon rain can shorten the experience. The dip itself takes 5–10 minutes per person, so go early to avoid queuing.

Planning your visit?Timed slots are limited, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before. Reserve today, decide later.

Check ticket availability

Who it’s for

Anyone who wants a genuine production tour and doesn’t mind a drive. Photographers (the grounds are stunning). Souvenir seekers (the hand-dipped bottle). Visitors who want history and architecture and not just a tasting. Not for people with mobility issues or anyone who can’t handle outdoor walking. See other paid distilleries.

What guests say

Vanessa: “We really enjoyed dipping our bottle to make the red top. That was so much fun.” Dane: “One of the best we’ve been to, and we’ve been to a lot... the grounds around the historic buildings absolutely breathtaking”. Preston: “The scenery, the history, the restaurant, and the bourbon are amazing.” Tracy: “Beautiful landscaping” and enjoyed the history.

Check dates & book the maker's mark tour

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure on most tours — book now, decide later.

21+Kentucky’s legal drinking age is 21, and every distillery here checks a valid government photo ID before pouring. Under-21s are welcome on most tours but are not served; some warehouse and hard-hat tours set a higher minimum age of their own. If a tour includes tastings, plan a driver or book one that includes transport — and please drink responsibly.

Other tours nearby

Straight from the barrel

Frequently asked questions

How long is the drive to Loretto?

Loretto is south of Frankfort, roughly 45 minutes from Louisville, 30 minutes from Frankfort. Plan for travel time; the tour itself is 75 minutes.

Can I buy the bottle I dip?

Yes. It’s yours to keep. You hand-dip it, they seal it with red wax. A great keepsake.

Is it outdoor the whole time?

Mostly outdoor with no seating on the route. The visitor center has indoor space, but the production walk is outside. Dress for weather and bring water.