Makers White

[sailor22]

Speaking from a marketing perspective haven't they painted themselves into a bit of a corner with the overaged thing? Seems like they are trying to find something to market as a premium that doesn't contradict their years of "overaged" marketing. It leaves them with no easy way to market a premium.

Barrels don't all mature at the same rate. For sure there are 10yr barrels that are overaged but there are also plenty of younger barrels that just aren't ready yet, or will be better with a few more years.

It's surprising that Julin can sell all that "overaged" juice he has.:grin:

[cowdery]

The other thing you have to remember about Maker's Mark is that for something like 30 years they have been on allocation, meaning they have more orders than they can fill. Nice problem to have but it doesn't give you much incentive to invest in something new. In theory, at least, enthusiast bottlings are more profitable, but there are significant marketing costs to factor in.

[NeoTexan]

First, I'm not so sure this Maker's is a real product. I haven't heard a word about it from them or their PR folks. Could be they've packaged it with an approved label and all so it's easier for them to distribute to brand ambassadors and such, but they're not actually going to sell it at retail.

This bottle was purchased at the Gift Shop. The sales person said it was due for distribution in about a year.

[cowdery]

One odd aspect of the law that allows Kentucky distilleries to sell alcohol in their gift shops is that they have to make those products available to other retailers in the state. They can't have a gift shop exclusive. I guess to put a finer point on my thought, I would be surprised if they do much to promote this, on the order of what they did with 46. But, then, I'm always prepared to be surprised by them too.

I've tasted white dog at Maker's and most of the distilleries, but have never had any to take with so couldn't do side by side comparisons. But based on the experience I have had, Maker's seems to have the nicest-tasting white dog.

I'm sure Dale will agree.

[NeoTexan]

One odd aspect of the law that allows Kentucky distilleries to sell alcohol in their gift shops is that they have to make those products available to other retailers in the state. They can't have a gift shop exclusive. I guess to put a finer point on my thought, I would be surprised if they do much to promote this, on the order of what they did with 46. But, then, I'm always prepared to be surprised by them too.

Bottles of 46 were also made available to Ambassadors months before retailers were supplied.

I have not had many white dogs but I must say Makers is one of the better ones I have had.

[ILLfarmboy]

Would love to taste it. Hope they sell it. But why not sell it at barrel entry proof. I'm a little bumbed out about the 90 proof

[craigthom]

Gary, many bartenders are developing cocktails that use white dog in them. That's not a big market, but that's how I've seen them used. I have seen both HH and Barton branded London Dry Gin and Vodkas.

Randy

[craigthom]

The other thing you have to remember about Maker's Mark is that for something like 30 years they have been on allocation, meaning they have more orders than they can fill. Nice problem to have but it doesn't give you much incentive to invest in something new. In theory, at least, enthusiast bottlings are more profitable, but there are significant marketing costs to factor in.

[cowdery]

I'm not sure of the exact status of the expansion but I don't think it's completed. When I was there a year ago it had barely begun, i.e., they had added to the dam so they could increase the size of the lake for their water supply, but that's about it. Actually, their projections of sales growth, with the expansion, says they'll never catch up and this is, they believe, the last time they can expand without finding another water supply, which might mean building a second distillery at another location. It's a nice problem to have.

[NeoTexan]

scan.pdf

Here's a scan of the neck tag recipes.

[tmckenzie]

Glad to see they mentioned a bloody mary. Good white dog makes a great bloody mary. The corn and tomato go great together. Goes well in a margerita also. I like mine straight, with a water chaser. I certainly hope MM puts this on the market.

[cowdery]

That's the smartest thing anybody has done with a white whiskey, in terms of those recipes. Take it out of the realm of drinking it like whiskey. It's a white spirit, use it like one, in cocktails. They are just so smart.