Maker's Mark...WTH!!!

[rifle308]

I took a tour of it in December and it was by far one of the coolest sites I've been too.

 

[TopDog]

I don't drink much anymore but still prefer Jack Daniels green label.

 

[Brandon]

Have to give them credit for telling people what their plans are and why. Better to find out from the company then reading it on the bottle who knows how long after it happened.

 

[Brandon]

Ok a couple things here.

1. Makers Mark is reducing the ABV because there are SERIOUS shortages nationwide right now. The Whiskey/Bourbon market was up nearly 30% last year, and it doesn't really show signs of slowing this year. If they drop the ABV by 3% that's another million bottles (est) that they can make and send out to distributors.

Dear Maker’s Mark® Ambassador,

Lately we’ve been hearing from many of you that you’ve been having difficulty finding Maker’s Mark in your local stores. Fact is, demand for our bourbon is exceeding our ability to make it, which means we’re running very low on supply. We never imagined that the entire bourbon category would explode as it has over the past few years, nor that demand for Maker’s Mark would grow even faster.

We wanted you to be the first to know that, after looking at all possible solutions, we’ve worked carefully to reduce the alcohol by volume (ABV) by just 3%. This will enable us to maintain the same taste profile and increase our limited supply so there is enough Maker’s Mark to go around, while we continue to expand the distillery and increase our production capacity.

We have both tasted it extensively, and it’s completely consistent with the taste profile our founder/dad/grandfather, Bill Samuels, Sr., created nearly 60 years ago. We’ve also done extensive testing with Maker’s Mark drinkers, and they couldn’t tell a difference.

Nothing about how we handcraft Maker’s Mark has changed, from the use of locally sourced soft red winter wheat as the flavor grain, to aging the whisky to taste in air-dried American white oak barrels, to rotating our barrels during maturation, to hand-dipping every bottle in our signature red wax.

In other words, we’ve made sure we didn’t screw up your whisky.

By the way, if you have any comments or questions, as always, we invite you to drop us a line at rob@makersmark.com or bill@makersmark.com. Thanks for your support. And if you’ve got a little time on your hands, come down and see us at the distillery.

Sincerely,

Rob Samuels
Chief Operating Officer
Ambassador-in-Chief

Bill Samuels, Jr.
Chairman Emeritus
Ambassador-at-Large

 

[phylodog]

I tried Harrison's last week and didn't care for it at all. I think it has potential but it needs to age several more years before it would become worthwhile in my opinion.

Russell's Reserve and Evan Williams Single Barrel are my two top picks currently but my tastes shift a bit over time so my top picks have a tendency to drift periodically.

 

[aclark]

I don't drink much anymore but still prefer Jack Daniels green label.

Tennessee Whiskey, not Bourbon....

Also, I believe it's being discontinued (at least in Indiana). Might want to stock up.

 

[nascarfantoo]

Personally I prefer Elijah Craig 18-Year-Old Single Barrel or Knob Creek. Always straight up or on a little ice.

 

[aclark]

I tried Harrison's last week and didn't care for it at all. I think it has potential but it needs to age several more years before it would become worthwhile in my opinion.

Russell's Reserve and Evan Williams Single Barrel are my two top picks currently but my tastes shift a bit over time so my top picks have a tendency to drift periodically.

Its a little sweeter than some of the "big brands" so some people don't care as much for it. Not as much oak/smoke to it either. They do have a Governor's Reserve that's high-rye and bottled at barrel proof...not too bad. Also, just came out with a Presidential Reserve. Haven't tried that one yet, but REALLY want to, think its 16 year or something like that.

 

[aclark]

Personally I prefer Elijah Craig 18-Year-Old Single Barrel or Knob Creek. Always straight up or on a little ice.

Elijah Craig did the same thing last year actually. Dropped the ABV to keep up with demand. Still very hard to get though.

 

[phylodog]

Its a little sweeter than some of the "big brands" so some people don't care as much for it. Not as much oak/smoke to it either. They do have a Governor's Reserve that's high-rye and bottled at barrel proof...not too bad. Also, just came out with a Presidential Reserve. Haven't tried that one yet, but REALLY want to, think its 16 year or something like that.

I spoke with a gentleman at the tasting who agreed with me on the Harrison's but he did say the Presidential Reserve was great. I saw it on the shelf but at $119 I decided to pass. It ain't that good! I might pay that for a bottle of Pappy's but that's about it.

I have a bottle of the 18yr Elijag Craig and it is fantastic but I keep that back for special occasions. I just finished a bottle of Parker's a couple of weeks ago. It was excellent and if I'd known how much it cost I'd have kept it on the top shelf with the E.C.. A friend gave it to me as a gift so I had no clue.

 

[phylodog]

Alright boys, this thread's goin places. Post up yer cabinets!

Nothing to brag about and it needs to be restocked but it's mine and I like it.

 

[aclark]

I couldn't fit all my bottles in one picture. Guess its a perk of the job...wine and spirits sales rep....

 

[Brandon]

Alright boys, this thread's goin places. Post up yer cabinets!

There are roughly half a dozen more bourbon/whiskey bottles, unopened, not pictured. I figured this may be enough pictures for the time being.
*Some of the bottles are open in the pictures above, most are not.

 

[Knight Rider]

Old No 7 straight up without the pinky extended. I'm clearly outclassed by this crowd.

 

[drysdaleg]

This kinda upsets me, ive been to the distillery twice. I always use these guys for a special celebration.

 

[Colt556]

I have a bottle of Makers with blue wax and label from the time UK won the NCAA title back in the 90's. I prefer Svedka vodka since I gave up Crown Royal.

 

[jblomenberg16]

I'll probably keep drinking Maker's even after the change. Just sayin!

 

[Clay]

whats up with the Makers bottle with the wax all the way down to the label?

 

[Brandon]

It's a slam dunk as they call it.
Only one in every so many are done that way. It's kind of their way of having fun and giving us something somewhat collectible. Harder then sin to find as well.

 

[Clay]

Cool. Ill have to keep my eyes open for one.