It’s not enough that this seventh generation whiskey maker runs one the most recognizably branded Kentucky bourbons in the world — he’s also a roving ambassador for the Loretto, Ky.-based distiller.

Kyle Mangini has a bottle of Maker's Mark signed by Bill Samuels Jr.

Samuels was guest of honor at Jazz’d Tapas Bar Tuesday night (Nov. 18, 2008) during which about 50 bourbon fans had a meet-and-greet with the Maker’s Mark boss — and also sampled what has become a benchmark example of Kentucky’s most popular export.

And again, proving that Kentucky IS a small place, Samuels and I quickly ticked off a number of mutual acquaintances like former Boston Celtic Frank Ramsey, former politician Bill Cox and former Gov. Julian Carroll — as well as PGA golf professional Kenny Perry.

Sheesh, 5 million people, five last names.

Empire Distributors Inc. rep Stan Ray, another Kentuckian, saw to it that everyone had face time with Samuels, whose product is repped in Georgia by Empire.

I saw other notable Savannah food and wine folks — like Chef Matthew Roher of Cha Bella, Ed Annette of Habersham Beverage, Dee Herb of Quality Wine (a former employee of Samuels’), Brian Kight of Bacchus Wine Bar, Empire Distributor’s boss Bud Lawyer and Casey O’Rear of Atlanta Wholesale Wine.