As far as CEOs go, Maker’s Mark president Bill Samuels Jr. is about as unintimidating as they come. Clad in his signature khaki sweater, he immediately pulls up a chair during our meeting at the Edgewater Hotel and, in his deep Kentucky drawl, asks me how I am. We talk briefly about the unusually windy Seattle weather before I start in on the questions (and secretly wish he were drinking with me and my friends this holiday season). It’s been a big year for the Kentucky-based company. Not only did the brand announce Maker’s Mark 46, their first new product release in 52 years, they also won a huge 5-year lawsuit against Jose Cuervo proving Maker’s was the first company to use the red wax seal with tendrils. On top of that, Bill is planning his retirement and plans for his son Rob to take over the day-to-day operations of the distillery.”It was a three year process to get 46 exactly right,” Samuels Jr. said, “Two and a half of those were hell but it’s been phenomenal.” For those that don’t know, 46 is aged longer than traditional Maker’s in charred oak barrels, deepening the complexity of the bourbon and infusing notes of butterscotch, vanilla, cinnamon and maple syrup. Luckily, I’m sent home with a bottle, a hazard of this job but one I’m not complaining about. I ask about the lawsuit with Cuervo and Samuels launches into a quick history lesson about the Maker’s trademark. “Mom first did the wax in 1957 and when we trademarked it in 1985, we couldn’t find anyone else that had done it first. We didn’t pay any money in research back then but Cuervo’s been spending a lot of it for the past 5 years trying to prove us wrong.” After 5 years and no evidence to the contrary, Maker’s won the lawsuit and the bragging rights. “The lawsuit wrapping up felt like we were completing a cycle. 2010 was a good year,” Samuels reminisces, “it feels like the perfect time to step down.” When Rob takes over in April, he’ll have some good advice guiding his way. Samuels says he’s committed to staying in the shadows but remembers the recommendation he received 36 ½ years ago. “Dad said, ‘Stay away from the distillery. Go find the customers. Your mom and I made the product, it’s time for you to make the brand.’ I think I’ve done that in the U.S. and now it’s my son’s turn to develop Maker’s Mark in the world.” So now that there are only a few more months before he’s a free man, what will he be drinking to celebrate this holiday season? “Well, it used to be grandma’s eggnog,” he said, “but I went to the doctor the other day and I weighed in one pound into the obese category. I thought, ‘What? I’ve always been a skinny guy!’ So…no more eggnog. I guess I’ll stick with an old-fashioned or 46 on ice. There’s really nothing that can beat it.”