By Alan Lytle
Loretto, KY – Makers Mark president and CEO Bill Samuels is beginning his last week running the distillery. He'll be handing the company over to his son, Rob Samuels.
"This is going to be the easiest transition in the history of our industry. Normally fathers and sons are very different and it causes issues. Rob is my youngest son and we are like, twins."
Bill Samuels has headed up the distillery for 36 years. The company says he will stay on as a "brand ambassador". Samuels will spend part of his final day as president autographing special Keeneland 75th anniversary commemorative bottles of Makers Mark Friday morning at the race track. The handover will be made official immediately following the running of the Makers Mark Mile Friday afternoon at Keeneland.