Kevin Smith

“Crafting Legacy at Maker’s Mark”

From a modest upbringing to the helm of one of Kentucky’s most iconic bourbon brands, Kevin D. Smith’s journey is a compelling blend of spirit craftsmanship, leadership, and community involvement. Born on August 17, 1965, Kevin’s path into the world of bourbon was built on science, persistence, and a relentless commitment to quality.

After earning a Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University, Kevin entered the spirits industry in 1989. Over the next three-plus decades, he has built a reputation as a meticulous and forward-thinking expert in whiskey-making. His early years were marked by hands-on roles at some of America’s most prestigious distilleries, where he honed his skills in both production and quality control.

Kevin’s expertise began to shine particularly brightly during his time at Jack Daniel’s Distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee, from 1998 to 2003. There, he served in a range of technical roles, including Microbiologist, Distillery Quality Manager, and Technical Resource. In these positions, Kevin oversaw fermentation and distillation optimization and led critical yeast and lactic culture programs. His influence reached beyond Tennessee, as he provided global technical support across Brown‑Forman’s network of facilities.

In 2003, Kevin shifted gears, entering the fuel ethanol sector, a move that further deepened his scientific understanding of fermentation. He became Plant Manager and Lab Manager at Commonwealth Agri‑Energy in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and later served as a Technical Manager for Lallemand Ethanol Technology in Iowa. In these roles, he supported innovation in ethanol production and fermentation efficiency, reinforcing the versatility of his technical expertise.

But it was in 2008 that Kevin’s career entered a new chapter: one that would secure his place in bourbon history. That year, he was appointed Master Distiller and Vice President of Production at Maker’s Mark Distillery, under the mentorship of industry icon Bill Samuels Jr. It was a pivotal role at a critical time. Though Maker’s Mark had earned a loyal following with its signature sweetness and smoothness, it hadn’t introduced a new bourbon expression since its founding in the 1950s.

Kevin helped change that. Drawing on both science and tradition, he led the effort to create what would become Maker’s 46, a project that took years of experimentation and careful blending. Kevin supervised 122 experimental finishes before selecting the final profile: a whiskey enhanced with specially seared French oak staves that added deeper spice and complexity to the classic Maker’s flavor. Launched in 2010, Maker’s 46 was a critical and commercial success. Critics called it a “quasi-spiced” yet authentic evolution of the original, and it reinvigorated the brand for a new generation of bourbon drinkers. In interviews, Kevin described the intent behind Maker’s 46 as preserving the core sweetness of Maker’s Mark while introducing more depth and intensity, a balance that required both technical precision and creative instinct. His work not only expanded the Maker’s Mark portfolio but also helped spark a wave of innovation across the broader bourbon industry.

Kevin’s time at Maker’s Mark wasn’t confined to the lab or the barrel warehouse. He became an ambassador for American bourbon, representing the brand and the industry on the global stage. He led international tastings, taught seminars, and even served as a guest judge on Iron Chef America, where bourbon took center stage as the secret ingredient.

Later, Kevin stepped into an even broader role as Vice President of Kentucky Bourbon Affairs for Beam Suntory. In that position, he became a vital advocate for the industry, working to modernize spirits legislation, promote responsible production, and develop the future bourbon workforce. His efforts were instrumental in the creation of the James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits at the University of Kentucky in 2019—a major step toward formalizing bourbon education and preserving the craft for generations to come.