1980s Maker's Mark Old Style Sour Mash Bourbon Barrel Head Crafted as a Lazy Susan. The barrelhead has been glued together, anchored with a cross piece for stability, and affixed to a metal plate with a circular spinning component, making it a unique piece of functional memorabilia. The top is stamped with several sets of numbers and words, roughly reading "Maker's Mark Distillery, Old Style Sour Mash Bourbon Whiskey B.C. 52 DSP KY 44." The back side displays significant char, likely level 3, which they maintained for over fifty years to preserve consistent flavor while other distilleries tended to push for a deeper level 4. Maker's Mark "Old Style Sour Mash" refers to a vintage labeling (pre-1990s) of their signature wheated bourbon, which emphasizes the traditional, consistent fermentation process using a portion of the previous mash. 

Provenance: Acquired at Kentucky estate sale in 2016. 

Condition: Functional. On hot days, the sweet smell of the mash still emanates from the oak staves. 

Size: 21 3/4 x 21 3/4 x 2 in. 

Maker’s Mark Bourbon Distillery was established on the site of the defunct Burks’ Distillery in 1953 in Loretto, Kentucky, by Bill Samuels, Sr., who sought to create a smoother, non-bitter bourbon by replacing traditional rye with red winter wheat. Margie Samuels, his wife, played a critical role in the brand’s identity, designing the iconic bottle, name, and world-renowned hand-dipped red wax seal. The first bottles for public sale were produced in 1958, and the sweeter, gentler taste created an immediate avid following among drinkers that differentiated it from most other bourbons, comparable to the products of the legendary Van Winkle family at the Stitzle-Weller Distillery. Despite being designated a National Historic Landmark in 1980, due to the whiskey industry collapse of the late 1970s the Samuels family sold the distillery to Hiram Walker & Sons the following year, although family members continued to work at the facility for several more generations. It was eventually acquired by Japanese-based megacorporation Beam Suntory, now known as Suntory Global Spirits.

Functional. On hot days, the sweet smell of the mash still emanates from the oak staves. 

All items are sold AS IS. Lot and condition details are for descriptive purposes only. Sarasota Estate Auction is not responsible for errors and/or omissions of condition. The absence of a condition report does not imply that the lot is perfect or free from wear, flaws, or characteristics of age. Please bid according to your own expertise, or request any additional information and/or photographs you deem necessary.