Appears the Maker's shortage is real...

[TheOakMonster]

New York state distributor (Southern) has none available in any size. The 1.75L and 375ml have been unavailable for several weeks and the 750ml and 1L are also, now, unavailable.

Usually, a backordered product will take a week or two to become available (as they shift product from one warehouse to another). But we're being told by the distributor there is no expected resupply date on Maker's. That's a pretty unusual occurance for a product to have no ETA from the distributor and typically means a month or more wait on a product.

So, for the forseeable future our store's Maker's shelves are bare.

[MyOldKyDram]

Sounds like a great time to try some Larceny?

[Kyjd75]

This is starting to get serious. Right now in Ky distributors have no 1.75 MM, no 750 AAAs, no W12, and no RHF. If you see any of these on a shelf, buy it now!

[brettckeen]

1ltrs of Makers in Illinois have run out for a couple weeks, this is the 2nd time this year.

[GaryT]

Holy crap - I'm taking my (now dusty) 84 proof 375mL MM to BEX . . . no unreasonable offer over $50 will be rejected

[HP12]

Sounds like the lower proof marketing ploy is working brilliantly.

[SWC]

Sounds like the lower proof marketing ploy is working brilliantly.

Or that they were not lying when they said that demand is exceeding their supply....

[squire]

Plenty of other stuff out there.

[brettckeen]

Plenty of other stuff out there.

Amen, plenty of new things to try.

[mbroo5880i]

No shortage in Indiana. Marker's Mark is every where and cheap. Maybe there are shortages in areas where is sells but there is a glut where it doesn't. They might consider having distributors reshift the inventory. Considering the amount of Woodford and Makers that I see in Indiana, I am not sure they will ever run out here.

This is not to say that if MM has none to ship that a shortage won't occur here sometime in the future.

I couldn't find W12 in KY and was told at BT that they weren't shipping any. However, my local store just restock so there must still be a fair amount in the distribution network. I saw plenty of AAA while in KY just a few weeks ago.

[ebo]

I'm not by any means a MM hater, I just think it's rather mundane stuff. If I can't get it I surely won't be heart broken over it.

[P&MLiquorsEric]

No shortage in Indiana. Marker's Mark is every where and cheap. Maybe there are shortages in areas where is sells but there is a glut where it doesn't. They might consider having distributors reshift the inventory. Considering the amount of Woodford and Makers that I see in Indiana, I am not sure they will ever run out here.

This is not to say that if MM has none to ship that a shortage won't occur here sometime in the future.

I couldn't find W12 in KY and was told at BT that they weren't shipping any. However, my local store just restock so there must still be a fair amount in the distribution network. I saw plenty of AAA while in KY just a few weeks ago.

It is all relative to your location. A shortage of makers is not the same as a shortage of pvw. And the shortage will hit certain areas before it gets everywhere.

Think of fuel shortages during hurricanes. If you are the guy watching on CNN sipping his miller lite after a round of golf in Indiana, the shortage is not felt. But if you were a jersey coast resident last October waiting 6 hours to fill up his sedan, it is real.

1.75s are on allocation in KY. We have ordered three weeks in a row and nothing. They suggested replacing with liters. No thanks was my answer.

It will hit high volume areas first and trickle down from there. That gigantic display at your local liquor superstore might look full but those cases underneath will slowly dwindle until one size is completely gone. I

[HighInTheMtns]

No shortage in Indiana. Marker's Mark is every where and cheap. Maybe there are shortages in areas where is sells but there is a glut where it doesn't. They might consider having distributors reshift the inventory. Considering the amount of Woodford and Makers that I see in Indiana, I am not sure they will ever run out here.

This is not to say that if MM has none to ship that a shortage won't occur here sometime in the future.

I couldn't find W12 in KY and was told at BT that they weren't shipping any. However, my local store just restock so there must still be a fair amount in the distribution network. I saw plenty of AAA while in KY just a few weeks ago.

Gotta realize that full shelves can turn into empty ones before you know it. Retailers aren't in the business of keeping many weeks worth of stock of high volume products. That's a cost in money and space that's not making a return.

Unless you have a look at what the distributor has and can tell you they're getting, you can't really tell.

[Jackinbox]

It will hit high volume areas first and trickle down from there. That gigantic display at your local liquor superstore might look full but those cases underneath will slowly dwindle until one size is completely gone. I

Do you think this will lead to a big price increase?

[P&MLiquorsEric]

Do you think this will lead to a big price increase?

Without a doubt. The beam folks are smart but the 84 proof test drive was not dreamed up by anyone in the marketing.

At least they are rationing the largest size first. If they can eliminate/ration that size and keep the product on the shelf, I am all for it.

We are out of 1.75s and have been for a week. Everyone that i dealt with looking for the 1.75s purchased at least a 750 and many 2 750s as a replacement.

Makers has some of the most loyal customers in the business. They will buy makers until it is no longer an option.

[Jackinbox]

Without a doubt. The beam folks are smart but the 84 proof test drive was not dreamed up by anyone in the marketing.

At least they are rationing the largest size first. If they can eliminate/ration that size and keep the product on the shelf, I am all for it.

We are out of 1.75s and have been for a week. Everyone that i dealt with looking for the 1.75s purchased at least a 750 and many 2 750s as a replacement.

Makers has some of the most loyal customers in the business. They will buy makers until it is no longer an option.

Thanks for that info. I'm guess I'm going to have to pick up a 1.75 tomorrow.

The other problem with this shortage is that MM can't really divert barrels from another line the way BT seems to be doing lately.

[mbroo5880i]

I understand what is being said and that stock on the shelves now doesn't mean that a shortage isn't coming. However, all I am saying is that there is case upon case of this stuff at Costco and their inventory seems to be growing not shrinking, at least on the sales floor. I see more shrink wrapped cases on top of the shelves. They have also more Woodford now than they did several weeks ago. I realize that they move this stuff quickly but given the amount available around here, it would take several months before the shelves are bare. I see the same thing every where. Today, I saw more MM at Crown Liquors than probably all of the other brands combined. They had cases on the end of the aisles. Of all the brands, MM is the one I am least concerned about not being able to find.

Every bar that I go into has three staples...MM, Woodford and WT101.

The supply may dwindle but I am guessing that it will be restored before many even notice. The price will go up. Shortages, or perceived shortages, will cause that. It seems similar to the BT shortage. I see regular information about BT having a shortage while continuing to see an expanding flooding of Buffalo Trace into the market. I see more and more places selling it at cheaper and cheaper prices. Apparently, the distributors aren't seeing the shortage of Buffalo Trace yet. I think the shortage is on aged whiskey. During a recent tour of the BT distillery, the guide indicated that they have enough barreled product to bottle at today's rate for the next 20 years. Of course, unless they distill and store more product, that would result in shortages as global demand increases.

Edited June 15, 2013 by mbroo5880i

[TheOakMonster]

Gotta realize that full shelves can turn into empty ones before you know it. Retailers aren't in the business of keeping many weeks worth of stock of high volume products. That's a cost in money and space that's not making a return.

Exactly! As a general rule, our store plans to sell through a quantity of product within about thirty days, since that's the duration of time NYS allows liquor stores to pay distributor invoices. That assures we can pay our bills and maintain positive cash-flow. Occasionally, we'll budget 20-30 cases of Jack Daniels or other top-selling liquor brand (such as Bacardi rum), because that nets the best wholesale price, and sell through that quantity over two months. But, for a vast majority of products we're carrying thirty-day supplies maximum, with two weeks being more common.

[Restaurant man]

I don't mind makers. A shortage won't change my habits at all. I've never bought a bottle. Except for the restaurant where it's the number one seller. No shortages there.

[393foureyedfox]

lots of better stuff out there anyway, for less.

as someone already said, now's a good time to try Larceny, es0pecially with the rebates that are good for another 2 months. Or just get some OWA.

If the pepsi shelf is empty, I just grab a coke.

[theglobalguy]

I understand what is being said and that stock on the shelves now doesn't mean that a shortage isn't coming. However, all I am saying is that there is case upon case of this stuff at Costco and their inventory seems to be growing not shrinking, at least on the sales floor. I see more shrink wrapped cases on top of the shelves. They have also more Woodford now than they did several weeks ago. I realize that they move this stuff quickly but given the amount available around here, it would take several months before the shelves are bare. I see the same thing every where. Today, I saw more MM at Crown Liquors than probably all of the other brands combined. They had cases on the end of the aisles. Of all the brands, MM is the one I am least concerned about not being able to find.

Every bar that I go into has three staples...MM, Woodford and WT101.

The supply may dwindle but I am guessing that it will be restored before many even notice. The price will go up. Shortages, or perceived shortages, will cause that. It seems similar to the BT shortage. I see regular information about BT having a shortage while continuing to see an expanding flooding of Buffalo Trace into the market. I see more and more places selling it at cheaper and cheaper prices. Apparently, the distributors aren't seeing the shortage of Buffalo Trace yet. I think the shortage is on aged whiskey. During a recent tour of the BT distillery, the guide indicated that they have enough barreled product to bottle at today's rate for the next 20 years. Of course, unless they distill and store more product, that would result in shortages as global demand increases.

You're assuming the supply chain is integrated and balanced. Between the three tier system and the fact that we're sitting here comparing billion dollar mega-stores and mom and pop establishments there may be product somewhere but it cannot be freely moved to where the demand is. As a for instance, i saw plenty in stock in 2 separate LCBO locations in Canada....and at $46/750mL, no wonder!

I'm still curious how much of this was caused (or at least pulled forward) by Beam when they false started the proof change and had that massive spike in demand. Look forward to their next quarterly financial release.

[wadewood]

as someone already said, now's a good time to try Larceny, es0pecially with the rebates that are good for another 2 months.

I think those rebates are KY only (or limited states). They were for $10 off a 750 or $20 off a 1.75l.

While in KY, I purchased and then sent in my rebate. Offer is valid for United States residents only; yet HH just sent a denial on my rebate saying I lived in a state that was not eligible.

FYI - I just sent HH a email asking about this and I'll post their response.

Edited June 15, 2013 by wadewood

[Jackinbox]

I think those rebates are KY only (or limited states). They were for $10 off a 750 or $20 off a 1.75l.

While in KY, I purchased and then sent in my rebate. Offer is valid for United States residents only; yet HH just sent a denial on my rebate saying I lived in a state that was not eligible.

FYI - I just sent HH a email asking about this and I'll post their response.

Yes, the rebate card that comes with the bottle makes no mention of being restricted to KY, but others have received the same denial that you did. Unfortunately, I can't even try because my wife threw out the receipt.

[393foureyedfox]

I think those rebates are KY only (or limited states). They were for $10 off a 750 or $20 off a 1.75l.

While in KY, I purchased and then sent in my rebate. Offer is valid for United States residents only; yet HH just sent a denial on my rebate saying I lived in a state that was not eligible.

FYI - I just sent HH a email asking about this and I'll post their response.

well that sucks. the rebate card says "void where prohibited, taxed, or otherwise restricted by law" but makes no mention of any specific state exemptions (guess that would deter sales in those states). Im used to seeing "void in RI" but no blankets statements like this.

[p_elliott]

I'm not biting I can get all the MM I want. I think this is just a come on by MM to increase sales. This whole shortage thing by the distilleries is a ploy to drive up prices to the scotch level. They are doing it step by step example we don't have EC 18 but we have EC20 for more than 2X the price. Where is the logic in that you don't have 18 yr old bourbon but have plenty of 20 year old bourbon. And 23 year old bourbons at $200.