Maker's Mark - Today & Yesterday

[ProofPositive]

A couple of questions about MM that seems like ought to have a simple answers. Just the same, trying to glean much historical info re MM is sometimes like looking for gold confederate half-dollars....especially if one tries to get it from the company itself.

Anyhow, when did MM change to the current "Handmade" front label from the previous one? When that happened, did anyone detect a noticeable change in the quality, taste, etc.? If so, I suppose it is more desireable to find the old label. Reason I ask is that I found a couple of them over the weekend but not opened either yet.

I've looked back in the archives but found nothing so far. What I have found interesting is that MM seems to enjoy a love/hate relationship here. Folks seem to love it or hate it.....not too many fence-sitters on MM. As for myself, I like it but think the hype is a bit overblown compared to the final product. Still, I do enjoy it from time to time with no complaints.

[BourbonJoe]

Wayne,

I don't know if I can offer much, but I do know that MM had a "gold capsule" 101 proof version back in the 70's (and maybe early 80's) which was super and far better than today's offering IMO. I don't know about any label switch on the red capsule. I don't suppose the stuff you found was the old gold capsule?

Joe

[ProofPositive]

Wayne,

I don't know if I can offer much, but I do know that MM had a "gold capsule" 101 proof version back in the 70's (and maybe early 80's) which was super and far better than today's offering IMO. I don't know about any label switch on the red capsule. I don't suppose the stuff you found was the old gold capsule?

Joe

Nope, it is the red capsule with the previous label. Just kind of curious about it. Seen it mentioned on here a couple of times but don't know where or the thread. I'm sure someone will enlighten me further. Thanks for your help.

[pepcycle]

I think the label changed in '98. No change in product.

I could be off by 6 months or so, but that's when I remember seeing the difference in the bottles.

I'll check when I get home.

[ProofPositive]

I think the label changed in '98. No change in product.

I could be off by 6 months or so, but that's when I remember seeing the difference in the bottles.

I'll check when I get home.

That's what I'm thinking....late 90s. One bottle I got is marked 1994 and the other 1997. Thanks for your help.

[pepcycle]

It ends up that its post April 1999.

[cowdery]

Rarely will a label change be linked or related to a production change or vice versa. Label changes are typically marketing decisions. The exception would be if a production change necessitates a label change for some legal reason, like an aging change (not an issue for MM).

Once upon a time, MM printed the labels there at the distillery on an antique printing press. I wonder if they still do.

[ProofPositive]

Rarely will a label change be linked or related to a production change or vice versa. Label changes are typically marketing decisions. The exception would be if a production change necessitates a label change for some legal reason, like an aging change (not an issue for MM).

Once upon a time, MM printed the labels there at the distillery on an antique printing press. I wonder if they still do.

Thanks for the help and thanks to everyone else as well. For the most part, I have always been quite fond of MM. I don't recall ever getting a bad bottle. It is simplistic to be sure, but, as someone else said here - I sometimes need just that after a long day or week.

[Hedmans Brorsa]

It is simplistic to be sure,

No acquiring for taste, but I have to say that I find neither the nose nor the finish of MM red to be of a simplistic nature.

[NeoTexan]

Once upon a time, MM printed the labels there at the distillery on an antique printing press. I wonder if they still do.

They still use the old machine.