Appears the Maker's shortage is real...

[squire]

Quite so Paul, Pappy didn't start out as a 23 year old expression either.

[mbroo5880i]

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.

This probably expresses more concisely what I wanted to express.

My guess is that the big retailers (Costco, Sam's, Wal-mart, etc.) are having no trouble receiving product and probably won't. What are you guys in states like KY seeing in those stores? Are these guys subject to the allocations as well? If so, what are they substituting in its place?

I have noticed prices are changing even at the big retailers. In Indy, Sam's sold WR for $24.99 for the longest time and then bam, overnight, it jumped to $28.99. They are starting to stock more WT101, BT and Crown. Costco continues to sell WR for$23.99 and MM.

[WAINWRIGHT]

I don't really see the shortage as any sort of ploy in the least,they replacement of the 90 to 84 proof and a statement to follow when the proof was resumed,all well marketed and well done I say.I'm not a MM fan in the least and their warehouses were quite barren when I was there a few months back,so if this is marketing to drive prices up it is all well done,but I don't buy it.I think MM is some of the best marketed in the biz,it will follow the market as it increases and all will follow.They don't need to continuously introduce new gimmicky products and drive their prices through the roof.MM has set their name in the market and have enough people that are new to whisky scene hooked there is no need for them to play any such shenanigans.MM and JD are so advertised and well marketed those are the only names they know and I'm sure they plan to keep it that way in the future.

[P&MLiquorsEric]

This probably expresses more concisely what I wanted to express.

My guess is that the big retailers (Costco, Sam's, Wal-mart, etc.) are having no trouble receiving product and probably won't. What are you guys in states like KY seeing in those stores? Are these guys subject to the allocations as well? If so, what are they substituting in its place?

I have noticed prices are changing even at the big retailers. In Indy, Sam's sold WR for $24.99 for the longest time and then bam, overnight, it jumped to $28.99. They are starting to stock more WT101, BT and Crown. Costco continues to sell WR for$23.99 and MM.

On allotment means that there is still a limited amount of supply but they are rationing it. Before I could order 5 pallots of makers in 1.75Liters if i wanted to. Makers is never discounted in Kentucky on the wholesale level, so it makes no sense to buy more than 14 days worth. Sams and CostCo buy by the pallet with everything in the store. A pallet might be 2 or 3 months worth for them. They wont see a shortage until they go to reorder in a month or two.

[P&MLiquorsEric]

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.

I with 20-30 cases were the top level deals in ky. With many products lines, it is 100-150 cases. A few times a year, most brands will offer their entire portfolios at deeper discounts than normal top levels but those might be 500 case packages. Luckily most distributors allow co-ops and we can combine buying power.

Do your distributors limit the amount of credit you can get?

[mbroo5880i]

On allotment means that there is still a limited amount of supply but they are rationing it. Before I could order 5 pallots of makers in 1.75Liters if i wanted to. Makers is never discounted in Kentucky on the wholesale level, so it makes no sense to buy more than 14 days worth. Sams and CostCo buy by the pallet with everything in the store. A pallet might be 2 or 3 months worth for them. They wont see a shortage until they go to reorder in a month or two.

[393foureyedfox]

i see it permanently raising prices. if supplies are low, prices will rise. if 5 years down the road, supply catches up, do you think theyd really lower prices if people show that theyre willing to pay $5 (or more) more now than they were paying? Makers was already overpriced for what it was anyway. so, I dont care. other distillers will take up the slack, and hopefully (for them) show those customers that thers other god stuff out there.

[P&MLiquorsEric]

Allotments are determined by distributor and based loosely on sales. Other factors play in but they keep the scorecard a secret.

If they stop production of 1.75L, that equates to a price increase but a good chance at loosing "coveted" facings. Im guessing they will not stop production but instead slowly release them to keep facings.

It's about time for a price increase on beam and makers. Most of the other beam brand products have seen one. It's about time the whiskey does too.

The reason you are seeing higher woodford pricing is because Everything from BF took an increase AND they lowered the high tier level discounts. We used to get 3 free cases of 750s for buying 30 cases of woodford. Now we have to buy 33 cases.

[scubadoo97]

Shelves are flush in Tampa Bay 1.75 and 750s

[Jackinbox]

I have noticed prices are changing even at the big retailers. In Indy, Sam's sold WR for $24.99 for the longest time and then bam, overnight, it jumped to $28.99. They are starting to stock more WT101, BT and Crown. Costco continues to sell WR for$23.99 and MM.

[mbroo5880i]

Allotments are determined by distributor and based loosely on sales. Other factors play in but they keep the scorecard a secret.

If they stop production of 1.75L, that equates to a price increase but a good chance at loosing "coveted" facings. Im guessing they will not stop production but instead slowly release them to keep facings.

It's about time for a price increase on beam and makers. Most of the other beam brand products have seen one. It's about time the whiskey does too.

The reason you are seeing higher woodford pricing is because Everything from BF took an increase AND they lowered the high tier level discounts. We used to get 3 free cases of 750s for buying 30 cases of woodford. Now we have to buy 33 cases.

This is interesting. So you are seeing a 10% increase on your costs for Woodford? Sorry to ask a silly question but what is "facings?"

[mbroo5880i]

I just came from Costco and Sam's on the NW side of Indy. Costco had a near-full pallet of Maker's 1.75Ls on the endcap for $42.49. They also had a full pallet up near the ceiling. Sam's was the same price and had a near-full pallet on the floor. I got distracted and forgot to look up above to see if they had a spare. Costco has raised the price on Woodford to $24.49.

Thanks! So, the real question is "did you buy anything?"

[P&MLiquorsEric]

Not quite 10% on woodford but close. Final price increase to retail price will be around 10%.

And facings are related to a certain item on shelves. Chances are most places have at least two facings of each size (750, 1L, and 1.75) for makers. A total of 6 facings. (Or 8 if you consider the fact that 1.75s take up twice the space of 750s).

If you take away four facings of makers mark, most stores will replace those facings with another product rather than further space out the smaller sizes. Less facings means less chance for the consumer to notice the product.

[mbroo5880i]

Not quite 10% on woodford but close. Final price increase to retail price will be around 10%.

And facings are related to a certain item on shelves. Chances are most places have at least two facings of each size (750, 1L, and 1.75) for makers. A total of 6 facings. (Or 8 if you consider the fact that 1.75s take up twice the space of 750s).

If you take away four facings of makers mark, most stores will replace those facings with another product rather than further space out the smaller sizes. Less facings means less chance for the consumer to notice the product.

Gotcha! Thanks! This makes sense now.

[TheOakMonster]

I wish 20-30 cases were the top level deals in ky. With many products lines, it is 100-150 cases. A few times a year, most brands will offer their entire portfolios at deeper discounts than normal top levels but those might be 500 case packages. Luckily most distributors allow co-ops and we can combine buying power.

In NYS, normal top level deals are often between 30-50 cases, although 75 case levels exist from time to time on certain products. However, there's probably only a handful of locations in the state that can manage 75 case level volume (our state laws prevent multi-store chains, big-box retailers, and grocery stores from selling wine/liquor). Our store is mid-sized in NYS, but probably considered small in some other states. The only products we really buy 50 cases at a time are Barton's Vodka (aka the cheapest vodka available in the state $12/1.75L), Svedka Vodka (the cheapest glass bottle vodka at $19.99/1.75L), and Smirnoff Vodka.

[P&MLiquorsEric]

In NYS, normal top level deals are often between 30-50 cases, although 75 case levels exist from time to time on certain products. However, there's probably only a handful of locations in the state that can manage 75 case level volume (our state laws prevent multi-store chains, big-box retailers, and grocery stores from selling wine/liquor). Our store is mid-sized in NYS, but probably considered small in some other states. The only products we really buy 50 cases at a time are Barton's Vodka (aka the cheapest vodka available in the state $12/1.75L), Svedka Vodka (the cheapest glass bottle vodka at $19.99/1.75L), and Smirnoff Vodka.

Gotcha. Ky prevents grocery from carrying it inside grocery stores (for now at least). They must set up a separate entrance and store for liquor/wine. Beer is fair game for anyone. Drug stores can carry booze however so they are technically the biggest chains.

Most cheap vodkas here are not huge buy ins.

[dmarkle]

Interesting. According to this, Beam got a 44% sales jump because of all of the hubbub about watering down Maker's.

[393foureyedfox]

just my point. makers will lose customers short term, and to a lesser extent long term as well (as customers who want makers but cant get it try another brand or two, and decide that it is comparable or even better at less price than makers), due to their shortages

[fishnbowljoe]

No MM at my local Sam's Club today, but there was plenty on the shelves at my local grocery store.

[Jackinbox]

Thanks! So, the real question is "did you buy anything?"

Yes, I decided to go ahead and pick up a 1.75 of MM moreso out of fear of a big price increase than not being able to find it in the future. I also picked up the Kirkland Signature Bourbon. I've been reading about it and have been wanting to try it.

[393foureyedfox]

I also picked up the Kirkland Signature Bourbon. I've been reading about it and have been wanting to try it.

let us know how that turns out.

as a side note, i noticed today that the pharmacy/liquor store shelf was cleaned of all MM products of all sizes. guess someone out there likes it.

[HighInTheMtns]

let us know how that turns out.

as a side note, i noticed today that the pharmacy/liquor store shelf was cleaned of all MM products of all sizes. guess someone out there likes it.

There's a BOTM thread about the Kirkland with lots of info. It's good. Beam 7 year/103 proof.

[393foureyedfox]

seemed to be a mixed review from what i read.

[VT Mike]

New Hampshire posts their inventory for each store online, updated daily. It's interesting to see what they have for Maker's in the various sizes. Of course, there's no way to know what kind of inventory they have in the state warehouse.

375

750

1 L

1.75 L

[RocknRoll]

All the stores in Syracuse and it's burbs that I've been in the last few days seem to have plenty.