New still added as part of Maker’s Mark expansion

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) – Crank up the flow of red wax: Maker’s Mark is boosting its bourbon output.

The producers of the Kentucky whiskey are pouring about $67 million into an expansion that includes a new still.

The ramped up production comes a couple of years after Maker’s caused a stir with a short-lived attempt to cut the amount of alcohol in each bottle to stretch its whiskey supplies. The announcement drew a torrent of protests from customers, and the brand scrapped the idea.

Maker’s – known for its square bottles sealed in red wax – fired up the new still this week.

The expansion includes new fermenters and storage warehouses as Maker’s looks to boost yearly production to 2 million cases later this decade.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.