Honorary Lifetime Members

March 1, 2011

HONORARY LIFETIME MEMBERS

T. William Samuels, Sr.

Marker’s Mark Distillery

Hailing from a long line of distillers, T. William Samuels, Sr., bought Burk’s Spring Distillery in Happy Hallow, Ky., in 1953 and began his dream of creating bitter-free Bourbon. After much experimentation, he replaced the rye in his mashbill with red winter wheat and created Maker’s Mark. Samuels nurtured his Bourbon to achieve standards of the highest quality until his retirement in 1981, when he turned the reins over to his son, T. WIlliam (Bill) Samuels, Jr. The elder Samuels died in 1992, leaving a spirit of love and affection among his family and friends, and admiration for his contributions and accomplishments in Kentucky’s signature distilling industry. The Kentucky Distillers’ Association designated him a Lifetime Honorary Member in April 1982.

Charles King McClure

Stitzel-Weller Distillery

From the time CHarles King McClure started in the distilling business, his talents were recognized throughout the industry. He was the industry’s unanimous choice as its representative in the Office of Price Administration, the government agency charged with maintaining price controls during the inflationary period of World War II. As KDA CHairman in 1966, he led the successful effort to repeal Kentucky’s production tax on spirits, which had plagued the industry since 1933. He served on the KDA Board for more than 25 years before resigning in 1968. The Kentucky Distillers’ Association designated him a Lifetime Honorary Member in April 1968. He died in 1977.

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