Appears the Maker's shortage is real...

[smokinjoe]

Sounds like a great time to try some Larceny?

MOKD's wise statement bears repeating.

FWIW, I like Maker's. I drink it frequently at home, and away. I always have it on my bar. I always will. The Larceny is similar in style to it, and IMHO, a deeper and better whiskey. If you are having a tough time getting MM, you'll be rewarded in trying Larceny in its place.

[PaulO]

I've not noticed a MM shortage around Indiana. The grocery stores, drug stores, liquor stores all seem to have it. My impression of the shortage is; some retailers in some states can't always get as much as they want, when they want. For a consumer, I don't think there will be too much trouble finding some. It's not like the distillery has shut down. They're making more.

[P&MLiquorsEric]

I've not noticed a MM shortage around Indiana. The grocery stores, drug stores, liquor stores all seem to have it. My impression of the shortage is; some retailers in some states can't always get as much as they want, when they want. For a consumer, I don't think there will be too much trouble finding some. It's not like the distillery has shut down. They're making more.

You need to look at it from a wider perspective. This forum gives early and mostly accurate knowledge on new products and trends in the bourbon biz. Makers will never disappear from shelves. One size is being rationed at this point. Not eliminated, rationed.

Many bigger stores will have giant makers displays or "case stacks" full of all sizes. Every day a worker at that store takes bottles out of the boxes below to fill displays and shelves. It looks full to you but the supply in those boxes is going down.

Makers is not shutting down production... But when you cannot fill all the orders and are the sole producer of a product, the business world refers to that as a shortage. There are varying degrees of a shortage.

[Jackinbox]

FWIW, I just spoke to my friend who works at a liquor store in Indy. He said they were told last week that the 1.75s are on allocation. He said they still have plenty for now but they may start receiving less than they order from here on out.

[zillah]

Plenty of Maker's here in Philadelphia. None that I will buy though, shortage or not!

Weller Special Reserve is easy available here.

[mosugoji64]

MOKD's wise statement bears repeating.

FWIW, I like Maker's. I drink it frequently at home, and away. I always have it on my bar. I always will. The Larceny is similar in style to it, and IMHO, a deeper and better whiskey. If you are having a tough time getting MM, you'll be rewarded in trying Larceny in its place.

Right on, Joe. I wasn't initially a fan of HH's wheated profile, but have come to love it. There's a chocolatey character that's completely different from the BT fruity wheat and just as good. I'm thinking the problem was me and that it took me a while to warm up to something that defied my expectations.

For anyone lamenting an impending shortage of MM, there are other options that are just as good or better. Remain open to experimenting, and you will be richly rewarded!

Edited June 18, 2013 by mosugoji64

[Jackinbox]

Right on, Joe. I wasn't initially a fan of HH's wheated profile, but have come to love it. There's a chocolaty character that's completely different from the BT fruity wheat and just as good. I'm thinking the problem was me and that it took me a while to warm up to something that defied my expectations.

I like it too. I don't think it holds a candle to OWA or Weller 12, but it's still a good pour.

[ChainWhip]

I like MM on my buttered pecan ice cream

[sob0728]

I know a lot of people are hammering Maker's Mark here, but how many other bourbons can you get for $20 where you know the honey barrels are going into that bottle? Certainly not Weller 12. In fact, Weller 12 is probably third in line after the WLW and Lot B barrels are selected. People are lamenting the demise of the mid-shelf bourbons not being as good as they used to be because of the super premiums taking some of the best barrels, but no one is giving Maker's any credit for not doing that. I'd love to see a Maker's 10/100 as much as everyone else, but for now, you are getting all the good stuff mixed in with their standard product. I still think Maker's at $20 is one of the best value bourbons out there.

[WAINWRIGHT]

I know a lot of people are hammering Maker's Mark here, but how many other bourbons can you get for $20 where you know the honey barrels are going into that bottle? Certainly not Weller 12. In fact, Weller 12 is probably third in line after the WLW and Lot B barrels are selected.

But the point many of us here are saying is even their best,just isn't that good.I and many others here would pick WSR over MM and definitely take OWA given they are sitting side by side on a shelf,and for less.I say the proof is in the bottle,YMMV.

[HighInTheMtns]

What honey barrels? Maker's does extra work (rotating barrels) to ensure that there are as few outlier (honey/otherwise) barrels as possible. And then they dump them all at a fairly young age, whether or not a particular barrel is one that would continue to improve.

Of course some barrels end up better than others, but there probably aren't a ton of real standout MM barrels, thanks to differences from the way everyone else does things.

[sob0728]

What honey barrels? Maker's does extra work (rotating barrels) to ensure that there are as few outlier (honey/otherwise) barrels as possible. And then they dump them all at a fairly young age, whether or not a particular barrel is one that would continue to improve.

Of course some barrels end up better than others, but there probably aren't a ton of real standout MM barrels, thanks to differences from the way everyone else does things.

It's no younger than WSR or OWA, which are both in the same age and price range. Warehouse location is not the only thing that makes for a honey barrel.

[wmpevans]

Many bigger stores will have giant makers displays or "case stacks" full of all sizes. Every day a worker at that store takes bottles out of the boxes below to fill displays and shelves. It looks full to you but the supply in those boxes is going down.

I learned this the hard way at the Bardstown Kroger this year. Looked like 3 cases of 2012 FRSmB LEd; bought 2 bottles; came back later to buy more, and they were gone. Ends up there were only 6 or 7 bottles and the cases below were empty.

Now, I wonder who got those last 4 or 5 bottles:skep::skep:

[MyOldKyDram]

Yeti and I left at least a few there.

[Restaurant man]

Yeti and I left at least a few there.

Me and smokin joe emptied the old girl out!!!!

[Halifax]

Me and smokin joe emptied the old girl out!!!!

[Tony]

Me and smokin joe emptied the old girl out!!!!

[tanstaafl2]

I wandered off with one as well!

[weller_tex]

Right on, Joe. I wasn't initially a fan of HH's wheated profile, but have come to love it. There's a chocolatey character that's completely different from the BT fruity wheat and just as good. I'm thinking the problem was me and that it took me a while to warm up to something that defied my expectations.

For anyone lamenting an impending shortage of MM, there are other options that are just as good or better. Remain open to experimenting, and you will be richly rewarded!

It's the chocolaty character at the end and finish of MM that makes me like it so much. I have not gotten that in the Larceny I have had (2 bottles) will have to give it another ago. As WSR and OWA have seemingly gotten younger all I get is brown sugar sweetness and wood. Weller 12 is a different story, still has that butterscotch, nutmeg, coconut thing...

[PaulO]

One thing I've noticed; nobody has mentioned Makers 46. Do they bottle enough of it to really affect the regular MM supply. I see MM46 in almost every store. I don't know if it's a hit (are they selling a lot). I even wondered if the shortage would make it go away.

[squire]

I should think the 46 already aging on the staves will remain that brand because the wood influence could not be undone. One wonders why they fiddled with a second line in the first place.

[mosugoji64]

One thing I've noticed; nobody has mentioned Makers 46. Do they bottle enough of it to really affect the regular MM supply. I see MM46 in almost every store. I don't know if it's a hit (are they selling a lot). I even wondered if the shortage would make it go away.

[soad]

The irrational conspiracy theorist in me believes: Makers is intentionally creating a shortage to "prove" that there is a limited supply. Then they can drop the proof to 84 in a few months without the outrage and media attention. Problem solved, profits up!

Okay, back to reality. If you can't find Makers, buy a Weller.

[smknjoe]

Okay, back to reality. If you can't find Makers, buy a Weller.

Don't forget Larceny. Only $20 around here.

[mbroo5880i]

Don't forget Larceny. Only $20 around here.

It is not available in Indiana. However, I bought a bottle in KY. I have an extra rebate form that is good until 8/15/13. It is good for $10 on a 750 ml or $20 on a 1.75 L. I would be happy to mail it to someone if they would like to use it. You have to provide the UPC and receipt. I believe it is only valid in certain states, probably those where you can buy it. PM if you would like it. First come, first serve.