cowdery Posted October 22, 2002 Share Posted October 22, 2002 It's exciting to see the American whiskey industry finally respond to the American enthusiast community with products directly targeted to that community. I'm speaking specifically of the Old Forester "Birthday Bourbon" from Brown Forman and the George T. Stagg bourbon expected imminently from Buffalo Trace. These are true "enthusiast" products because they are primarily about the whiskey, not about packaging or other gimmicks. They are limited-availability and pricey relative to the category overall, but affordable for most people. Let's hope these products are successful (I'm sure we'll all do what we can to ensure that) and the industry follows through with more, similar efforts. In contrast, Maker's Mark continues to explore the iconic potential of colored wax. Is it possible they simply don't have any whiskey good enough for an enthusiast bottling? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest **DONOTDELETE** Posted October 22, 2002 Share Posted October 22, 2002 Oh Yeah Chuckybaby I sure do agree! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MurphyDawg Posted October 22, 2002 Share Posted October 22, 2002 </font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /> Oh Yeah Chuckybaby I sure do agree! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollywood Posted October 22, 2002 Share Posted October 22, 2002 M'Dawg, I saw that you mentioned the Old Forester B'day bourbon in your post. Have you tried it? I have just purchased a bottle that I am anxious to "test". I thought it appropriate-I like Old Forester, and I have a b'day this week! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paradox Posted October 22, 2002 Share Posted October 22, 2002 We were fortunate enough to try the Old Forester B-day bourbon at this years bourbon festival while at a tasting at Labrot & Graham. It was a great bourbon with a very nice finish. I have been looking all over for a bottle here in NYC, but still haven't struck anything. Consider yourself lucky! Enjoy and happy birthday-Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollywood Posted October 22, 2002 Share Posted October 22, 2002 Mark, I must admit I am envious! I love most of the Old F stuff. My birthday is Thursday, and was looking forward to "breaking in" the new bottle. I guess we are lucky-it is in most all stores now! I was curious on what some of gang had to say... Thanks, H'wood Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesbassdad Posted October 22, 2002 Share Posted October 22, 2002 Rumor has it that the Old Forester Birthday Bourbon causes memory loss, wrinkles, and occasional impotence.Do not drink it! Don't even open the bottle! If this urgent warning reaches you in time, send it to me via UPS for safe disposal.Yours truly,Dave "They didn't distribute it in California" Morefield Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollywood Posted October 22, 2002 Share Posted October 22, 2002 Ha....A man of humor I see! Either that or you have all of these symptoms, and are beyond help! Thanks for the warning, but I'm going to risk it. How about I give you a toast as I enjoy my tasty treat! Thanks, H'wood Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gillman Posted October 22, 2002 Share Posted October 22, 2002 I too have alsways wondered why Maker's Mark has not issued extra-aged products, as opposed to the odd higher proof Maker's Mark of conventional age.Surely a 10 or 15 year old MM, especially single cask, would be superb from the extra concentration andbarrel uniqueness. Doesn't MM have its "sugar barrels"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesbassdad Posted October 22, 2002 Share Posted October 22, 2002 Humor? Yes. Originality? No. FYI, I have two out of the three symptoms, and the third one hasn't arisen as yet. And yes, I'm beyond help, as Linn and Tom may well testify. Here's to ya! Yours truly, Dave Morefield Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackkeno Posted October 22, 2002 Share Posted October 22, 2002 At WhiskyFest last week, I had a chance to try Maker's Mark at both 7yo and 19yo (along with new make and the standard). The 7yo was different but very good (remember I like MM). The 19yo had a good nose, but the palate lacked balance and was a bit woody.They used this tasting to show why they only have the standard bottling. (Once the 101 proof bottling is gone from duty free it will not be replaced). They said they make the bourbon to a particular profile that is optimal for their style. If they released other (older) ages they would be perceived as "better" when in fact they were just different.My personal opinion is that they would not want perception associated with a more expensive bottling to reduce the appeal of the mass produced standard bottling. They also talked about how they rotate ageing barrels from the top to the bottom. This implies there would not be a "sweat spot" to chose from. My opinion again... the just picked a 7 & 19yo to taste. These were not carefully selected, matured under a watchful eye, etc. So of course they were not exceptional. If they did carefully select and monitor barrels for extra aging, I think they could arrive a limited edition bottlings that would be exceptional. But this would be inconsistent with their overall marketing plan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesbassdad Posted October 22, 2002 Share Posted October 22, 2002 </font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /> Doesn't MM have its "sugar barrels"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MurphyDawg Posted October 23, 2002 Share Posted October 23, 2002 Yep I was lucky to be one of the group that was able to taste some of that fine elixir under the guidance of Chris Morris at this years Straight Bourbon tour of Labrot & Graham. I got a healthy poor and jotted some stuff down. See the results, My Birthday Bourbon Tasting Notes , by following the link. I look forward to searching out some more for my personal stash in the near future. You are a lucky guy for getting a hold of some, as there were not many released.Rock On,TomC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollywood Posted October 23, 2002 Share Posted October 23, 2002 M'Dawg, I guess I didn't realize how lucky I am! I have two bottles, but to be honest it is in about every store here in the Birmingham area. Doesn't sound like it will last very long! H'wood Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Posted October 23, 2002 Share Posted October 23, 2002 Chuck,Hopefully this is a trend that will continue, to the extreme enjoyment of all enthusiasts. Having tried the Stagg bottling, which I enjoyed immensely, I'm eagerly awaiting it's release. I'm planning to buy as much of it as I can. I have not yet tried the Birthday Bourbon, but from what I've read, it sure sounded like a winner. I'm still hoping to find it somewhere. As it sounds like most of the Birthday Bourbon is already sold, I would imagine that the George Stagg will sell quickly as well. In that event, hopefully this trend will continue for all of our enjoyment! Possibly others in the industry will recognize that this demand exists, and will add other products that we would like to try.Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowdery Posted October 23, 2002 Author Share Posted October 23, 2002 I should clarify that when the bourbon industry talks about something "selling out," they mean that all of the product has been sold into distribution. It's still up to us to do our part and buy it off the retailers' shelves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forbes Posted October 23, 2002 Share Posted October 23, 2002 I have always been a big fan of Maker’s Mark. It was probably the first premium bourbon that I was introduced to when I first really started to appreciate bourbon. I have many other favorites and am always looking for something new. If you do not include the signed or collector bottles or other unopened bottles, I will usually have five or six different brands open at any one time. This provides an enjoyable variety of different tastes. I will rotate the brands always looking for new bourbons to try. We have a bar downstairs where I display my collector bottles and store the bourbon and other bar stuff. However, upstairs in our living room in a glass decanter you will always find Maker’s Mark. At the end of a work day that is what I will often reach for. I guess you can say it’s like my house bourbon. In short I can find the variety in other brands yet with Maker’s Mark I have a product that I consider consistently good.There is another advantage in enjoying Maker’s Mark. I guess this is do Mr. Samuel’s marketing and distribution efforts. In almost any bar or tavern they will carry Maker’s Mark. Most small establishments will carry only four or five brands of bourbon or Tennessee whiskey. Around here it is usually a well whisky like Ten-High, then Jim Beam White, Jack Daniels Black, and Maker’s Mark. Sometimes I can find Wild Turkey 101 but not as often. The point is that most of the taverns carried Maker’s Mark as their premium. Therefore, I can usually find a bourbon I really enjoy almost everywhere.Todd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff Posted October 24, 2002 Share Posted October 24, 2002 SSSHHHHHH, they might hear you. You don't want to be BRANDED a MM fan around here. I am starting an underground movement to take over this rye loving website by MM lovers everywhere. Can I count on your support?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MurphyDawg Posted October 24, 2002 Share Posted October 24, 2002 I agree with all you have said and like to reiterate that I really do enjoy MM, I was just curious to why that was the only expression of it they had, especially when some of the better wheated bourbons seem to improve with a little more age. Wouldnt it be interesting to se what a 10/15 year old Maker's Mark would taste like if they took care of it properly. My only major complaint about MM's standard bottling is that it costs too much, if I could get it @ the $15 price point some can, I would be a happy guy.TomC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kgiammarco Posted October 26, 2002 Share Posted October 26, 2002 Hmm... when i asked the makers mark tour guide why they don't sell a different proof or age bourbon here, she said that they have always had just one brand... Right after that i asked her why they sold such things to the Japanese and duty free markets, she said 'the Japanese pretty much can get whatever they want'... It sounds to me like it is marketing that is responsible for it all...-Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MurphyDawg Posted October 26, 2002 Share Posted October 26, 2002 I dont doubt it. i think they could make a superlative wheated bourbon, akin to Julian's stuff, if they wanted to. i guess they just dont want to show us folks the best they can offer, cause they are afraid of losing a few cents. I would be way more open to paying extra for special bourbon, I have no interest in special bottles.TomC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kgiammarco Posted October 26, 2002 Share Posted October 26, 2002 I keep thinking that some of the best bourbons i have tasted have been from bottles that supposedly were made from 'superb' barrels of wheated bourbon (Omar's V.V.O.Fitzgerald, Van Winkle's 20year) . Chuck told me in the gazebo that a way to make a great bourbon is to make a lot of it and pick the honey barrels... Is there anyone who has a large amount of aging wheated bourbon that has the ability to offer us something comparable to the V.V.O.F? I keep having this idea (dream) in my head that makers mark has been taking all the best barrels (i would imagine they have tons to choose from) and hiding them away somewhere special in order to grow a bourbon that can hold it's own with what we tasted in the gazebo... -Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbyc Posted October 26, 2002 Share Posted October 26, 2002 You have to wonder , are they that far adrift to not know that they could sell a 17 yearold single barrel , or a 12 yo special maker's in a limited edition. I don't give a damn about blue or white wax when Ky wins a basketball game. But it's Ky and a lot of people do. You have to hand it to them they have figured out how to sell a 12 dollar Bourbon for 20 bucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollywood Posted October 26, 2002 Share Posted October 26, 2002 BC, I'm not a huge MM fan, but if you want to drink it here it'll cost you $30-35! Consider $20 a deal!?? Unfortunately here in Alabama, most premium liquors start at the $30 mark. Jefferson Reserve-$52.00 JD Single Barrel-$47.00 etc. You get the picture. Enjoy what you like. See ya, H'wood Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbyc Posted October 26, 2002 Share Posted October 26, 2002 Ouch! I think I can get a 1.75 for 38 or so. We are talking about a 750 ml , right? 30to 35 I couldn't stand that. I buy it when it is on sale at rite aid for 15.99 or 16.99 and that's the only time I buy it. Except I have got 3 vip for my sons birthday It's the same whiskey and you pay 8 or 9 dollars more for the bottle. I could get Woodford that way also but I started with Maker's . If it were Beam or Barton I would buy theirs because it is the bottle and label I'm after. not so much the Whiskey. The thing about Makers, that I dislike, Isn't that they make a bad product , They just make an overpriced one. But I guess the market will bear it. I checked out a liquor store the other day and they had WT 101 for 26.50 for a 750ml , I'm not going to do that either. That was a fluke because WT is readily available much cheaper. And is on sale often. Here's a time when you can be thankfull for Heaven Hill Elijah Craig in a nice bottle , no wax, 12 years old , 94 proof ...... Read Solid Value Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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