MM Proof Change

[Cigar Dan]

The 1.75L bottles are still plentiful around here.

[squire]

In short we are being asked to subsidize their further World wide expansion. Anyone who wants my place in line is welcome to it.

[Kalessin]

http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2013/02/12/maker-mark-reducing-alcohol-volume-to-stretch-supplies-its-bourbon-amid-strong/?intcmp=features

The current story:

Maker's Mark reducing alcohol volume to stretch supplies of its bourbon amid strong demand

Published February 12, 2013

Associated Press

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2013/02/12/maker-mark-reducing-alcohol-volume-to-stretch-supplies-its-bourbon-amid-strong/?intcmp=features#ixzz2KhdgGXNe

And with a quote from the esteemed Mr. Cowdery, too!

[OscarV]

barturtle had his Tweet exposed on this broadcast

http://money.msn.com/now/post.aspx?post=789e55fa-5a4e-4824-acbe-0f72aa800d2e#scptid

[MauiSon]

In short we are being asked to subsidize their further World wide expansion. Anyone who wants my place in line is welcome to it.

Or, the standard expression is 'subsidizing' the 'high-end' expression. Maybe the dilution is just the 'price to be paid' for maintaining 46 production. It's a give-and-take, but I must admit, I am disappointed with their decision.

Edited February 12, 2013 by MauiSon

[JPBoston]

In short we are being asked to subsidize their further World wide expansion. Anyone who wants my place in line is welcome to it.

I've got your spot saved in the OWA line, my friend.

[squire]

Always nice to feel welcome.

[Hondo]

Well... It's all about profits and I would have expected nothing less from Beam Inc. It's a shame though that they are damaging the brand at least for some. In the long run MM will keep selling like hot cakes and most buyers won't care.

I personally have always opted for Weller Special Reserve over MM. I really enjoy the WSR and it's a third less dollars...

[JPBoston]

Well... It's all about profits and I would have expected nothing less from Beam Inc. It's a shame though that they are damaging the brand at least for some. In the long run MM will keep selling like hot cakes and most buyers won't care.

I personally have always opted for Weller Special Reserve over MM. I really enjoy the WSR and it's a third less dollars...

Since you're a big fan of WSR, do you mind describing it? I've always skipped it because OWA is so cheap here, they're only $3-4 apart.

Is it really just OWA with a bit more water? (I mean, does it taste pretty much exactly as if you added a bit of water to a pour of OWA?)

[squire]

Yes, it's just a lower proof version, or so it tastes to me, but at 90 proof I wouldn't call it in any way weak.

[Restaurant man]

I'm really amused by the "you can't even tell" chants from Makers and their supporters. It's really digging deep for a positive spin. You know how to cook a frog right? Put him in a pot with room temp water and let it heat up slow enough for him to get used to it, until...

then you smother the little bastard in barbeque sauce and WAIT! What was I talking about? Nevermind I'm starving. Gotta go

[squire]

Reminds me of the fella's uncle who drowned in a vat of whisky. Took quite a while they say, he climbed out three times for a bathroom break.

[fishnbowljoe]

Heck, I think MM 46 is okay, but maybe Makers should just call it a day with MM 46. My solution would be to get rid of MM 46, and bring back a 101 proof MM. (Regards to Gary Gillman' post.) Win-win! :grin: Yes, I realize that upping the proof on a bourbon would seemingly be counterproductive when there's a shortage of said bourbon. Still, if more of us astute and self proclaimed bourbon lovers bought and preferred a 101 proof MM, that could possibly lessen the demand somewhat for regular MM. Maybe????? C'mon folks. Go with me here. :smiley_acbt: Anyway, I know at best it's all probably just a wash regardless. I also know it'a a lot of wistful, wishful thinking. I just can't help it. MM was pretty much my gateway bourbon, and although I don't drink it regularly any more, I will always have a bottle or two around just because. Sad to see it change. Oh well................(sigh)

FWIW, this pour of Larceny I'm having tonight is pretty damn tasty.:shocked: :slappin::slappin::slappin::slappin::slappin:

Cheers! :grin:

Edited February 12, 2013 by fishnbowljoe

[ThomasH]

Chalk up another credit for chuck cowdery. He was quoted in an article on Fox News.com about MM lowering there proof. Good Job Chuck!

Thomas

[Enoch]

This may really pay off. I have never seen so much reporting on Bourbon in my life....NBC News, etc.... My local store says they are selling at quite a pace over the last few days. I even thought about buying a case even though I don't really drink it much. They may be creating the shortage. I have wondered how well the 46 has been selling. Not so good around here.

[PaulO]

Is there really such a thing as a premium bourbon in the 80 proof range? I can't think of one. Chuck mentioned Jacob's Well, also 84 proof. What happened to that? Mostly, I think of the bottom shelf stuff being 80 proof. Some of it can be ok, but not premium.

[shoshani]

Wild Turkey now has a large picture on their Facebook page, with a bottle of Rare Breed and an empty glass. It says "Adding water? We'll leave that up to you."

[msk2718]

Is there really such a thing as a premium bourbon in the 80 proof range? I can't think of one. Chuck mentioned Jacob's Well, also 84 proof. What happened to that? Mostly, I think of the bottom shelf stuff being 80 proof. Some of it can be ok, but not premium.

Basil Hayden's is 80 proof, not that I'm endorsing it.

[kaiserhog]

I think this is a horrible move by Makers Mark.

[squire]

Fortunately Bourbon hasn't followed the World wide standard of 80 proof, yet.

[portwood]

Fortunately Bourbon hasn't followed the World wide standard of 80 proof, yet.

[JPBoston]

Even Jay Leno had a joke about MM tonight (funny timing, since I haven't watched late night talk shows in years... it was just on in the background before I popped in a movie).

The punchline went something like this:

You used to have to go out to a bar to get a watered down drink... now you can apparently do that in the comfort of your own home.

I wouldn't have guessed the MM news would hit such a topical show... pretty interesting.

[scubadoo97]

I haven't watched Leno in years but that was spot on

[ILLfarmboy]

Anytime anyone tells me they like Captain Morgan, I tell them about Sailor Jerry and anytime anyone tells me they like Makers I tell them about OWA.

I'll be honest, I don't understand buying brands instead of types, and this latest move by Beam Just makes me want to tell everybody I know about this shit move.

[ChainWhip]

Laphroaig is the only thing I drink from Beam - if they leave this Islay product line well enough alone, what they do with MM doesn't really bug me.

That said, I'd be interested in a MM premium product (BiB/101/extra-aged).