Hand-dipped. One at a time. Every time.
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MAKER'S MARK®
Greats of the Gate 2025
We are officially now in Year Two of our 10-year collection commemorating racing’s most spirited horses. Proudly debuting as our second Great of the Gate, this year’s bottle celebrates Lexington. More than just a legendary nineteenth century horse, Lexington’s 2025 feature also coincides with its namesake city’s 250th anniversary. Lexington, Kentucky is home to champion horse farms, world-class racetracks, and a vibrant culture beloved by locals and visitors alike. This special release was brought to life by Kentucky artist Tyler Robertson.
In 1958, Keeneland served Maker’s Mark® from the first cases ever sold. This began a longtime partnership that would go on to raise millions for Kentucky communities, continuing today with the current Greats of the Gate series. We’ve collaborated on a commemorative bottle each year since 1997, helping many Bluegrass causes.
We’re proud to donate proceeds from Greats of the Gate to local nonprofits
Proceeds from each year’s Greats of the Gate bottle will benefit nonprofits that support Kentucky culture, including the horseracing industry, hospitality, and the arts. Over the course of this series, Keeneland and Maker’s Mark are committed to raising $4 million for various Kentucky nonprofit organizations. For the first three years, the “Greats of the Gate” bottle will support Kentucky Classic Arts, Kentucky Harvest, Arts Center of the Bluegrass, and Blue Grass Farms Charities.
Kentucky Classic Arts
They strive to enrich the lives of people in Central Kentucky by providing family-friendly entertainment, arts involvement opportunities for all ages. Kentucky Classic Arts brings people, education and the arts together.
How Our Partnership Comes to Life: By supporting musical theatre performance opportunities for Central Kentucky.
Kentucky Harvest
They seek to end local hunger by connecting with food donors and engaging volunteers to rescue excess food and move it from those who have it to those in need. Kentucky Harvest rescues both perishable and non-perishable food and delivers it to those in need.
How Our Partnership Comes to Life: By expanding their food rescue and donation efforts across the Commonwealth.
Arts Center of the Bluegrass
They connect people to art, culture, and creativity. Arts Center of the Bluegrass has reimagined what an art center can be, bringing tens of thousands through the doors each year for the national glass museum, art exhibits, workshops, community gatherings, and more.
How Our Partnership Comes to Life: By providing free entry to guests for the museum and supporting arts programming.
Blue Grass Farms Charities
They support Central Kentucky horsemen/women and their families with benevolent assistance across multiple areas including health and human services. Blue Grass Farms Charities aims to bring stability and a sense of well-being to those working in the local Thoroughbred industry.
How Our Partnership Comes to Life: Through the building of a new pantry located at The Thoroughbred Center beginning this summer.
Lookback: Greats of the Gate 2024
The “Greats of the Gate” series kicked off last year with an inaugural bottle honoring Lexington-foaled Man o' War, who famously competed from 1919 to 1920, winning 20 of 21 races.
Tasting Notes
Aroma
Sweet oak, vanilla, bright fruit and wheat prevail in the nose
Taste
Sweet with balance of oak, vanilla and fruity essences
Finish
Smooth and creamy with a pleasant soft spice and clean finish
Proof
90
GIVE MAKER’S MARK® GREATS OF THE GATE A STIR
Rich & Bright
Mint Julep
With pronounced sugar and mint notes, the Mint Julep is one of our favorite bourbon cocktails and a natural match for warmer weather, horse races and good company. The mint julep became the official drink of the Kentucky Derby in 1938 but was actually invented in Virginia. This Southern favorite nears perfection when bourbon, particularly Maker's Mark, is used as the spirit of choice.
- Intermediate
- 1-3 minutes
- Savory
Light & Bright
Rosemary Maple Sour
The Rosemary Maple Sour brings a sweet sprig of innovation to a cocktail classic. The delicious bounty of the outdoors meets the one-of-a-kind Maker’s Mark. Bursting with flavor, this sour is rounded out with fresh rosemary and maple syrup.
- Easy
- 3-5 minutes
- Sweet
Light & Bright
Kentucky Buck
The definition of fresh, the Kentucky Buck brings sweet strawberries together with the effervescent zip of ginger beer and, of course, Maker's. This cocktail combines ginger beer, citrus and the spirit of your choice – you know ours. This Buck was kicked up in 2009 by bartender Erick Castro. It has since become one of our favorites and is widely considered a modern classic.
- Easy
- 3-5 minutes
- Citrus
