Appears the Maker's shortage is real...

[MyOldKyDram]

Already used both of ours or I would take you up on that!

[theglobalguy]

Don't know what sales are for 46, but I can't imagine they're close to standard MM. Seems like the obvious move would be to limit the amount of whiskey going to 46 in order to keep MM supplies up. Then again, they may also be concerned about losing facings with a lack of 46 in the pipeline. Anyone have any insight?

Imagine it's more like "not sure what profit margins are on M46?". For the difference in retail price between the two products they are surely making more on M46, and would be fools to kill that gravy train.

[Jackinbox]

For what it's worth, my local Costco has lowered the price on their MM 1.75s by $1 from $42.49 to $41.49. Could just be a holiday thing though.

[tanstaafl2]

Plenty of other stuff out there.

Although speaking with an owner today and he said little or no standard BT is currently available. Now that may be just limited to Georgia distribution and I expect increased holiday demand is playing a role but it seems to be starting to be a significant issue.

then again the shelves are hardly bare at the moment! So something is available, just may not be what you want right at the moment.

[ryanc]

Although speaking with an owner today and he said little or no standard BT is currently available. Now that may be just limited to Georgia distribution and I expect increased holiday demand is playing a role but it seems to be starting to be a significant issue.

then again the shelves are hardly bare at the moment! So something is available, just may not be what you want right at the moment.

We are swimming in BT in Columbus,...Bourbon is not a huge seller in Columbus...

Edited December 24, 2013 by ryanc

[TunnelTiger]

Standard BT is also plentiful in NWGA

[tanstaafl2]

Yes, the store still had some and I still see it on other store shelves. He said he couldn't order any more at present. That might resolve in a few days or maybe it really will run dry for awhile.

[P&MLiquorsEric]

Although speaking with an owner today and he said little or no standard BT is currently available. Now that may be just limited to Georgia distribution and I expect increased holiday demand is playing a role but it seems to be starting to be a significant issue.

then again the shelves are hardly bare at the moment! So something is available, just may not be what you want right at the moment.

True in KY too. The list of what is not available from BT right now is longer than the list of what is available. Gone: Eagle Rare, Elmer T Lee, AAA 10 year, Blantons, saz 6year, weller 12, EH taylor plus the rarities.

And Makers shortages are back here in the commonwealth. Very little left with distributor and next shipment is more than 60 days out. Smart retailers will keep it on shelf because they bought enough when it was available.

[Pudsky]

Here in MN, there seems to be plenty of MM. Actually there is one store, that has 1.75s on sale for 41.99. Not too bad. They have had that special for at least a month or so. Maybe I should go get one or two more. That will last me a while.

[jeffrey r]

I hear grumblings in my area about shortages. Needing to buy a whole barrel of Eagle Rare and BT to get any. Things along those lines. It's not like you don't see bourbons on the shelves or anything like that. But there are clearly supply issues, and plenty of demand. With varying brands, at different points in time, I am seeing less on the shelves.

[PaulO]

The grocery stores, drug stores, and liquor stores around me have all kinds of MM on the shelves. They have 1.75L and 750ml bottles, and some gift boxes. Some places even have decent sales. With OWA the way it's been going, I may have to give MM a second look.

[weller_tex]

The grocery stores, drug stores, and liquor stores around me have all kinds of MM on the shelves. They have 1.75L and 750ml bottles, and some gift boxes. Some places even have decent sales. With OWA the way it's been going, I may have to give MM a second look.

[squire]

MM is good stuff and just because it's common is no reason to strike it off the shopping list.

[P&MLiquorsEric]

The grocery stores, drug stores, and liquor stores around me have all kinds of MM on the shelves. They have 1.75L and 750ml bottles, and some gift boxes. Some places even have decent sales. With OWA the way it's been going, I may have to give MM a second look.

When shortages first come to light around here, they are generally a few weeks/months off. The news comes down from someone with knowledge of the supply chain. It takes some time for the shortages to make their way down to every state and retailer. Distributors in some states may not be affected by the shortage.

And makers shortages are not the same as btac/pappy/4rlimited shortages. A shortage of makers may just be in one or two sizes for a few weeks.

[Pirate762]

We just got home from a short trip to Key Largo. No MM shortage there. At $65.00/1.75 I was not going to help reduce the supply either.

[theglobalguy]

When shortages first come to light around here, they are generally a few weeks/months off. The news comes down from someone with knowledge of the supply chain. It takes some time for the shortages to make their way down to every state and retailer. Distributors in some states may not be affected by the shortage.

And makers shortages are not the same as btac/pappy/4rlimited shortages. A shortage of makers may just be in one or two sizes for a few weeks.

Enthusiast aside, you would have to assume customers are loyal to the brand to some extent. That loyalty likely ends when you make 2 or 3 stops to your local shop and can't find. You pick something of similar price and potentially find something you like more. Don't see why you'd come back even when the product does.

[squire]

I doubt the average customer would leave empty handed.

[theglobalguy]

I doubt the average customer would leave empty handed.

Exactly. And should you happen upon something that tastes different or better...why go back to the old brand.

[MauiSon]

I think maybe you two don't understand what loyalty means. I have a friend who's a loyal Budweiser drinker, he won't touch anything else - ever! No Bud in the store? Drive to the next store. Repeat, as necessary. To him, nothing is better or worth trying. It's not the quality of the product that matters, it's the integrity/identity of the drinker. That's the power of advertising.

Edited December 27, 2013 by MauiSon

[squire]

Oh I'm sure there are a number of things I may not understand or the study of which exceeds my level of patience. I do believe the chap who goes in to pick up his monthly handle of mixer will not be deterred because they're out of Old Crow. He will leave with something else and advertizing doesn't enter into the decision.

[portwood]

He will leave with something else and advertizing doesn't enter into the decision.

Advertising enters the decision if the chap sees more than one acceptable replacement (probably same price). Given alternatives, he will likely choose the more recognizable brand (i.e. the one who`s advertising sticks in his head).

[squire]

Quite so but bottom shelfers don't receive much of the advertizing budget. I think it more likely the choice would hinge on what brand his father or other male antecedent drank. That or the choice in question was on sale.

[393foureyedfox]

Quite so but bottom shelfers don't receive much of the advertizing budget. I think it more likely the choice would hinge on what brand his father or other male antecedent drank. That or the choice in question was on sale.

[mosugoji64]

sale prices only affect me if it is something I know I like, or something I wanted to try anyway. I dont think I've ever picked up anything on sale that was unknown, just because it was on sale

But, I am an odd duck

[P&MLiquorsEric]

I think maybe you two don't understand what loyalty means. I have a friend who's a loyal Budweiser drinker, he won't touch anything else - ever! No Bud in the store? Drive to the next store. Repeat, as necessary. To him, nothing is better or worth trying. It's not the quality of the product that matters, it's the integrity/identity of the drinker. That's the power of advertising.

Beer cigarettes soda and vehicles have the most loyal customer base of any industry that I can think of.