News From the Kentucky Bourbon Trail

Bill Samuels, Jr. in parlor of the Samuels House

Best Way to Spend National Bourbon Day (or any other day): Drinks and Storytelling with Bill Samuels, Jr. at The Samuels House

June 14^th is a much-celebrated day in the spirits world. It is officially National Bourbon Day. It also happens to be the birthday of Bill Samuels, Jr., Chairman Emeritus of Maker’s Mark. You may have heard Bill referred to as a maverick, a giant in the distillery business, a marketing genius, a visionary, and the best friend the Kentucky bourbon industry has ever had.

Virginia Beach 1934, Beam and Samuels families

Competitors? Or Friends? Among Distillers, it’s Often All the Same...

An old photo on the wall of the parlor at The Samuels House may seem a bit unusual; here are a couple of guys in early-1930’s swimwear standing on a beach with another gentleman in a coat and tie. A little odd, perhaps, but the story behind it paints a picture of a unique characteristic among Kentucky distillers: your biggest competitor might just be your best friend.

Dixie Demuth portrait and her Bourbon Hall of Fame award

Female Bar Patrons Have a Samuels to Thank – Dixie Demuth!

The last direct Samuels descendant to be born in The Samuels House certainly lived up to the family’s colorful history that preceded (and followed) her – and eventually landed her in the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame alongside some other Samuels legends.

Greetings from the Historic Samuels House!

I am truly excited to invite you to visit this beautifully preserved home that has played such a significant role in my family's history. Believed to have been built around 1820 by John Samuels (the son of my namesake, Robert Samuels, who made whisky for George Washington's troops in the Revolutionary War), the house was the most prominent residence in what was known as Samuels, Kentucky. Over succeeding generations, the house has had a front-row view of history, including the surrend...

Planning Your Kentucky Bourbon Trail Adventure in 6 Easy Steps

The sun is shining, bourbon is calling, and we get it - you want to go out and explore the numerous whiskey distilleries peppered across our beautiful state of Kentucky. After booking your visit here at The Samuels House, you'll want to hit the ground running in planning all the fun. In light of pre- & post-COVID changes & restrictions, here's what you should know for planning purposes to maximize your Kentucky bourbon adventure!

STEP 1: BOOK TOURS IN ADVA...

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