Why isn't Jack Daniels having issues?

[BourbonGuy]

I have been reading all the posts about bourbon shortages. I read the letter sent out by Buffalo Trace. Then I wondered, Jack Daniels is one of the largest in the world. And to most people, Jack Daniels is bourbon. So why isn't Jack Daniels having supply shortages?

[squire]

Because they make a lot of it and that's no joke. Brown-Forman is in the enviable position of having the World's largest selling by volume whisky and they make sure the pipeline stays full.

[sku]

I have been reading all the posts about bourbon shortages. I read the letter sent out by Buffalo Trace. Then I wondered, Jack Daniels is one of the largest in the world. And to most people, Jack Daniels is bourbon. So why isn't Jack Daniels having supply shortages?

They're spending $100 million to expand the distillery and increase production by 15-20%, so presumably, they are trying to deal with the issue before shortages hit. But they also don't use age statements and release mostly at 40% so they have a bit more flexibility than BT does with many of its brands.

[393foureyedfox]

They're spending $100 million to expand the distillery and increase production by 15-20%, so presumably, they are trying to deal with the issue before shortages hit. But they also don't use age statements and release mostly at 40% so they have a bit more flexibility than BT does with many of its brands.

couldnt say it any better than that

[nd2005]

They're spending $100 million to expand the distillery and increase production by 15-20%, so presumably, they are trying to deal with the issue before shortages hit. But they also don't use age statements and release mostly at 40% so they have a bit more flexibility than BT does with many of its brands.

Additionally since they produce so few products (aside from the occasional special releases it's just jack, gentleman jack, and jack single barrel), they aren't in the position BT is in where you end up robbing Peter to pay Paul. Shift more barrels into Buffalo Trace --> less down the road for Eagle Rare, etc, etc.

[TunnelTiger]

thye been expanding for years and their warehouses are huge. They even have two stave operations, one in Tn and the other in Al

[sku]

Additionally since they produce so few products (aside from the occasional special releases it's just jack, gentleman jack, and jack single barrel), they aren't in the position BT is in where you end up robbing Peter to pay Paul. Shift more barrels into Buffalo Trace --> less down the road for Eagle Rare, etc, etc.

That was true for years, but not any more. Now, they are in exactly that position, which is part of the reason for the expansion. it's all about Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey which has seen explosive growth.

[nd2005]

That was true for years, but not any more. Now, they are in exactly that position, which is part of the reason for the expansion. it's all about Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey which has seen explosive growth.

I forgot about the Honey. Crazy how much that stuff sells...

[BourbonGuy]

So the folks at F-B were more proactive and are in a better position now while others are playing catch-up?

[squire]

Essentially, yes.

[perryw]

I watched the NatGeo documentary on Jack Daniels this past weekend. I think it said they have 77 warehouses, each holding upwards of 22,000 barrels. That is A LOT of juice. I don't know how it compares to Beam, but, dang.... It was a very interesting show.

[P&MLiquorsEric]

I don't have the number but I don't think JD is seeing the same growth rate as the Ky bourbon brands.

JD was already in almost every bar and liquor store in the world.

They are growing but opening new markets and selling more in existing markets are two different types of growth.

[buckey48]

It bothers me that JD has reduced the proof. Their comment was that people want a lower proof. WTF, I think it was to increase volume by adding water. Now a higher proof can be had but at what price?

imho let the people who want lower proof add h2o themselves, give me the old 90 proof

[393foureyedfox]

imho let the people who want lower proof add h2o themselves, give me the old 90 proof

I would actually buy one if they did that. Im not buying an 80pf JD, and Im not paying $50 for a 98 proof JD holiday select.

[kyrocklover]

I opened a JDSB yesterday and have to say I enjoy it quite a bit. 94 proof and $37 at TPS. Glad I bought 2 that day.

[Special Reserve]

How much has their sales volume changed?

Jack had high volume sales before bourbon got hot.

[squire]

Jack is a cultural phenomenon. The brand doesn't translate well to other consumer goods (bottled water) but as whisky it's ahead of the pack.

[Fangzilla]

I watched the NatGeo documentary on Jack Daniels this past weekend. I think it said they have 77 warehouses, each holding upwards of 22,000 barrels. That is A LOT of juice. I don't know how it compares to Beam, but, dang.... It was a very interesting show.

[tmckenzie]

I am told the new distillery is going to make whiskey just for foreign markets. Every drop. And there will be a lot of it. Amazing, all that whiskey, and that cave spring ain't increasing in volume one bit. Don't you love marketing?

[smokinjoe]

Don't you love marketing?

[Fangzilla]

I am told the new distillery is going to make whiskey just for foreign markets. Every drop. And there will be a lot of it. Amazing, all that whiskey, and that cave spring ain't increasing in volume one bit. Don't you love marketing?

I'm curious where you heard that (I'll understand if undercover sources must be protected), because it rings true. The foreign market is definitely where giants like JD are concentrating these days. It took a while, but the marketing department at JD has digested the concept that the utterly gigantic China/Hong Kong market likes their scotch/bourbon/JD mixed with green tea (yes, green tea), and have adjusted their attitude accordingly.

Don't you love marketing?

Well...actually...yes...Yes, I do.

Marketing. It's what's for dinner™.

[Ravensfire]

Marketing. It's what's for dinner™.

"It's what you will have for dinner™."

Fixed that for ya!

-- Ravensfire

[vlado_mato]

On ‎30‎.‎12‎.‎2013 at 10:09 PM, nd2005 said:

I forgot about the Honey. Crazy how much that stuff sells...

It's crazy, because it tastes awful.

[vlado_mato]

On ‎01‎.‎1‎.‎2014 at 3:37 AM, buckey48 said:

It bothers me that JD has reduced the proof. Their comment was that people want a lower proof. WTF, I think it was to increase volume by adding water. Now a higher proof can be had but at what price?

imho let the people who want lower proof add h2o themselves, give me the old 90 proof

I found a JD bottled in 1986 at 90 proof in my grandfather's apartment last summer. It was light years ahead in taste from that watered stuff they sell these days. I also drank a bottle of their Single Barrel Select (bottled at 90 proof for European market), and I wasn't impressed. Not much taste, just bitter feeling in my mouth (I guess from that charcoal mellowing). Any Kentucky Straight Bourbon I've tried beats every one of JD products. I haven't tried Gentleman Jack, but knowing that it's twice charcoal mellowed (once after it is aged), aged for approximately 4 years in the lowest floors of the warehouses, I say "no, thanx"!

 

[Harry in WashDC]

4 hours ago, vlado_mato said:

I found a JD bottled in 1986 at 90 proof in my grandfather's apartment last summer. It was light years ahead in taste from that watered stuff they sell these days. I also drank a bottle of their Single Barrel Select (bottled at 90 proof for European market), and I wasn't impressed. Not much taste, just bitter feeling in my mouth (I guess from that charcoal mellowing). Any Kentucky Straight Bourbon I've tried beats every one of JD products. I haven't tried Gentleman Jack, but knowing that it's twice charcoal mellowed (once after it is aged), aged for approximately 4 years in the lowest floors of the warehouses, I say "no, thanx"!

 

For what it's worth, my favorite bourbon/whiskey from circa 1970 to 1987 or so was JD Black.  It was 90 proof then.  Circa 1987, proof was dropped to 86 and in 2002 to 80, domestically.  By then, I had started trying other bourbons, wine, and beer as JD no longer "satisfied".  I have tried each of their releases since my disenchantment set in, but NONE rekindled my desire.

 

THEN, at WhiskyFest WashDC two years ago, the JD booth offered me JD Barrel Strength.  I loved it.  Unfortunately for Brown-Forman, their monkeying with JD Black starting in 1987 allowed me to discover that there are more American whiskies out there than JD Black OR, now, JD BS.  I am happy I found the JD Barrel Strength, but it is just one of many now.  Yeah, I'm fickle.  But, I am enjoying my fickleness.  You might try JD Barrel Strength neat and with varying amounts of water.  But, for the same or a lesser price, I'd suggest also trying (if you can find them) Four Roses Private Selections (at barrel strength).  Frankly, I also like ordinary Jim Beam Bonded (100 proof, four year with a gold label).