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Maker's Mark defends decision to water down signature b... - 2/12/2013 5:29:11 AM   
jlf1961


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quote:

NEW YORK (MYFOXNY) -

Bourbon fans are figuratively up in arms because a famous Kentucky distillery will soon dilute its whisky more than usual because of a shortage.

Maker's Mark, which is distilled in Loretto, Ky., will soon be bottled at 84 proof, or 42 percent alcohol by volume, down from 90 proof, or 45 percent alcohol.

It is known for its distinctive rectangular bottle sealed with red wax.

Rob Samuels, chief operating officer for Maker's Mark and grandson of the brand's founder, said that many bars, restaurants, package stores around the country have run low on the corn-based whisky.
Maker's Mark defends decision to water down signature bourbon



Considering I am not a bourbon drinker, I am curious as to how there could be a shortage of Bourbon in the US? I mean bourbon has the largest share of whiskey production in the US, it makes no sense.

I wonder if distillery employees are taping the barrels at the plant.

Of course I am not going to worry unless there is a shortage of Canadian whiskey, Southern Comfort 100 proof, Scotch, and most especially, the limited production of my family's favorite uncle's production, well actually the production of a third cousin now.

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RE: Maker's Mark defends decision to water down signatu... - 2/12/2013 5:35:02 AM   
servantforuse


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Status: offline 		If it's corn based there might be the answer. Combine a drought last summer and corn being used as a fuel source and that might mean a shortage. My self. I'd rather drink it than put it in my car.

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RE: Maker's Mark defends decision to water down signatu... - 2/12/2013 6:17:42 AM   
Notsweet


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Status: offline 		I'm a bourbon drinker, and I particularly like Maker's Mark. And I think you're right, it's about the freaking corn debacle.

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RE: Maker's Mark defends decision to water down signatu... - 2/12/2013 7:29:43 AM   
DomKen


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According to the distiller the problem is demand exceeds supply and since the bourbon is aged for around 6 years before being bottled it takes a long time to increase production.

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RE: Maker's Mark defends decision to water down signatu... - 2/12/2013 7:56:45 AM   
Hillwilliam


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Status: offline 		The aging is why I wouldn't suspect corn. The Bourbon supply this year is related to corn prices 7 years ago, not now.

Wild Turkey did the same thing. It used to be 101 proof and now, you have to pay extra for the 101. Most is sold as 80 proof. I'm going to guess that it's the almighty dollar. They can sell a slightly watered product for the same price and increase profit.

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RE: Maker's Mark defends decision to water down signatu... - 2/12/2013 8:17:15 AM   
MrRodgers


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Status: offline 		It's not that far a stretch given that the US is the world's largest gasoline exporter ya know...keeping the supply down to keep the price (and profits) up.

The US now may be at least one of the world's largest bourbon exporters.

I too am a Canadian (Club) fan and as long as there is truth in labeling...I'll be alright. Yes, I like Seagram's but not the price.

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RE: Maker's Mark defends decision to water down signatu... - 2/12/2013 8:38:24 AM   
OsideGirl


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Hillwilliam

The aging is why I wouldn't suspect corn. The Bourbon supply this year is related to corn prices 7 years ago, not now.


I would suspect that it's very much like the gasoline business. It doesn't matter how much they paid for what is already in the tank. What matters is how much they have to pay for the next tank, and prices get adjusted accordingly.


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RE: Maker's Mark defends decision to water down signatu... - 2/12/2013 9:03:45 AM   
DomKen


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quote:

ORIGINAL: MrRodgers
The US now may be at least one of the world's largest bourbon exporters.

Bourbon is only made in the US.

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RE: Maker's Mark defends decision to water down signatu... - 2/12/2013 9:20:37 AM   
jlf1961


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quote:

ORIGINAL: DomKen

quote:

ORIGINAL: MrRodgers
The US now may be at least one of the world's largest bourbon exporters.

Bourbon is only made in the US.



True, it is after all an uniquely American whiskey, as well as Tennessee sippin whiskey. But some people just dont grasp that Scotch is made in Scotland, Irish whiskey is made in Ireland, Canadian Whiskey is made in Canada, and Bourbon is made in the US.

Now, by the JLF taste scale, best to worst

1) Roosevelt Franklin's private stock, smooth going done, five alarm fire when it hits the stomach.... about 90% alcohol
2) Canadian whiskey, prefer Black Velvet or Crown Royal
3) Single malt scotch.
4) Tennessee sippin whiskey, aka Jack Danials, prefer Gentleman Jack
5) Bourbon

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RE: Maker's Mark defends decision to water down signatu... - 2/12/2013 9:43:40 AM   
Notsweet


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quote:

ORIGINAL: OsideGirl


quote:

ORIGINAL: Hillwilliam

The aging is why I wouldn't suspect corn. The Bourbon supply this year is related to corn prices 7 years ago, not now.


I would suspect that it's very much like the gasoline business. It doesn't matter how much they paid for what is already in the tank. What matters is how much they have to pay for the next tank, and prices get adjusted accordingly.



Yep! My thinking too.

To clarify, in case it does...
When they buy corn, it's to replace what they've used. They don't have the money left over from seven years ago as capital--they have bourbon to sell and they have to make enough money from that bourbon to pay today's corn prices. And the rising price of corn (spurred on by crops now devoted to ethanol) has been a real bone of contention, because it's the basis for so many people's diets, particularly in Mexico and South American countries.
Does that make sense?

< Message edited by Notsweet -- 2/12/2013 10:25:16 AM >

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RE: Maker's Mark defends decision to water down signatu... - 2/12/2013 9:53:32 AM   
johnsmith13


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Status: offline 		makers mark is just one of many bourbons. i took a tour of one of their distilleries in kentucky. they seem to be dedicated to their profession. as for scotch drinkers, alot of scotches use bourbon barrels to age their scotch in. so i guess you really do like the taste of bourbon more than you know.

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RE: Maker's Mark defends decision to water down signatu... - 2/12/2013 11:20:02 AM   
jlf1961


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Status: offline 		Use of corn in drinking alcohol accounts for less than 2% of US corn production

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RE: Maker's Mark defends decision to water down signatu... - 2/12/2013 11:26:03 AM   
OsideGirl


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quote:

ORIGINAL: jlf1961

Use of corn in drinking alcohol accounts for less than 2% of US corn production


Yeah, but the corn has been hard to come by. We were watching "Moonshiners" and they were changing their recipes because they couldn't get corn.

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RE: Maker's Mark defends decision to water down signatu... - 2/12/2013 12:04:39 PM   
Notsweet


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Status: offline 		Here's the thing. Even if it's 2%, the price still goes up. The question would be, how much corn production goes into ethanol? Into food products? By way of supply and demand, the ones who only buy 2% have the least affect on the price of corn than fuel and food.

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RE: Maker's Mark defends decision to water down signatu... - 2/12/2013 12:07:07 PM   
jlf1961


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Status: offline 		Considering that there has been an increased demand on corn for ethanol and feed production.

However, the US produces more grain crops than it can use in any given year.

The only time in modern history that there was a shortage of grains due to an actual substantial drop in production was during the dust bowl era.

Since then, the amount of grain on the market has been decided by the suppliers, hence the reason for all those grain silos in the grain belt.

quote:

The United States is, by far, the largest producer of corn in the world. Corn is grown on over 400,000 U.S. farms. In 2000, the U.S. produced almost ten billion bushels of the world’s total 23 billion bushel crop. Corn grown for grain accounts for almost one quarter of the harvested crop acres in this country. Corn grown for silage accounts for about two percent of the total harvested cropland or about 6 million acres. The amount of land dedicated to corn silage production varies based on growing conditions. In years that produce weather unfavorable to high corn grain yields, corn can be “salvaged” by harvesting the entire plant as silage.

According to the National Corn Growers Association, about eighty percent of all corn grown in the U.S. is consumed by domestic and overseas livestock, poultry, and fish production. The crop is fed as ground grain, silage, high-moisture, and high-oil corn. About 12% of the U.S. corn crop ends up in foods that are either consumed directly (e.g. corn chips) or indirectly (e.g. high fructose corn syrup). It also has a wide array of industrial uses including ethanol, a popular oxygenate in cleaner burning auto fuels.
Crop Production


And the government still pays farmers not to produce grain crops to keep from flooding the US and world markets and driving the price down.

_____________________________

Boy, it sure would be nice if we had some grenades, don't you think?

You cannot control who comes into your life, but you can control which airlock you throw them out of.

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RE: Maker's Mark defends decision to water down signatu... - 2/12/2013 1:29:23 PM   
Notsweet


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Status: offline 		I can see that, and I know that the government keeps all grain crops limited, but drought does have an effect on prices, and this year was not good.

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RE: Maker's Mark defends decision to water down signatu... - 2/12/2013 4:17:58 PM   
jlf1961


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Notsweet

I can see that, and I know that the government keeps all grain crops limited, but drought does have an effect on prices, and this year was not good.



Except that the mix being watered down is from four years ago, when it was put into oak barrels.

Bourbon is made differently from straight corn liquor, Bourbon is:

quote:

The Federal Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits (27 C.F.R. 5) state that bourbon made for U.S. consumption[2] must be:

made from a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn;[3]
aged in new, charred-oak barrels;[3]
distilled to no more than 160 (U.S.) proof (80% alcohol by volume);[3]
entered into the barrel for aging at no more than 125 proof (62.5% alcohol by volume);[3] and be
bottled (like other whiskeys) at 80 proof or more (40% alcohol by volume).[4]
Bourbon


Now according to what I have found, Maker's Mark mash is 70% locally grown corn, 16 percent red winter wheat, and 14 percent malted barley.

Straight corn whiskey is usually 90+ proof, and can be aged, although most of it is aged by the amount of time it takes to get it in bottles (if legal) or mason jars if illegal and the trip home.



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Boy, it sure would be nice if we had some grenades, don't you think?

You cannot control who comes into your life, but you can control which airlock you throw them out of.

Paranoid Paramilitary Gun Loving Conspiracy Theorist AND EQUAL OPPORTUNI

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RE: Maker's Mark defends decision to water down signatu... - 2/12/2013 5:16:47 PM   
LookieNoNookie


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quote:

ORIGINAL: jlf1961

quote:

NEW YORK (MYFOXNY) -

Bourbon fans are figuratively up in arms because a famous Kentucky distillery will soon dilute its whisky more than usual because of a shortage.

Maker's Mark, which is distilled in Loretto, Ky., will soon be bottled at 84 proof, or 42 percent alcohol by volume, down from 90 proof, or 45 percent alcohol.

It is known for its distinctive rectangular bottle sealed with red wax.

Rob Samuels, chief operating officer for Maker's Mark and grandson of the brand's founder, said that many bars, restaurants, package stores around the country have run low on the corn-based whisky.
Maker's Mark defends decision to water down signature bourbon



Considering I am not a bourbon drinker, I am curious as to how there could be a shortage of Bourbon in the US? I mean bourbon has the largest share of whiskey production in the US, it makes no sense.

I wonder if distillery employees are taping the barrels at the plant.

Of course I am not going to worry unless there is a shortage of Canadian whiskey, Southern Comfort 100 proof, Scotch, and most especially, the limited production of my family's favorite uncle's production, well actually the production of a third cousin now.


Until there's a rush on Crown Royal...I feel the world is at ease, and there is no recompense to concern myself with.

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RE: Maker's Mark defends decision to water down signatu... - 2/12/2013 7:33:46 PM   
Notsweet


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Status: offline 		Ok, I understand the corn was fron 4-7 years ago. But they sell the bourbon, and they make it all the time. When they make it, they must buy new replacement corn. Corn is more expensive, therefore, they need to get more money for the bourbon, so they will have enough money for all the things, including corn, used to make bourbon.

If they sold corn, the price of corn when they bought it seven years ago, or mixed it four years ago would make sense.

Am I just misunderstanding what you're saying?

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RE: Maker's Mark defends decision to water down signatu... - 2/12/2013 7:42:26 PM   
OsideGirl


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quote:

ORIGINAL: jlf1961


Except that the mix being watered down is from four years ago, when it was put into oak barrels.


It's not what's currently in the tank that drives the cost savings, it's having to buy supplies for the next batch.

It's the same way that gas stations operate. It doesn't matter what they paid for for is already in the tank. It's making sure they have the funds to purchase the next tankful.

So, however long that bourbon has been in the barrels doesn't matter and what it cost to produce that barrel doesn't matter. What matters is the cost to make the batch of bourbon.


_____________________________

Give a girl the right shoes and she will conquer the world. ~ Marilyn Monroe

The Accelerated Velocity of Terminological Inexactitude

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