A valuable roadmap for anyone interested in distilled spirits, entrepreneurship or the story behind the iconic Maker’s Mark brand, Joel Whitaker tells how a living room argument launched Maker’s Mark, how the company’s banker – who was also a member of the company’s board – turned it down for a loan, saying there’s no future in whiskey, how one incident turned the niche brand – really, little more than a hobby – into the most sought-after bourbon in the country, and how the Samuels family sustained interest in the brand for six years until production could keep up with demand.Readers will also learn about the art and science of distilling, how a Washington State wine aficionado came to oversee operations at the Maker’s Mark distillery, the No. 1 thing employers look for in new hires, and what a tree can teach about leadership. The Maker’s Mark Story also summarizes the history of distilling in Kentucky and describes the buildings visitors will see if they journey to Loretto, Ky., home of the iconic brand.