tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post5856558092754159123..comments2024-03-17T14:10:05.912-05:00Comments on The Chuck Cowdery Blog: Why Is Maker's Mark Watering Its Whiskey Instead of Expanding?Chuck Cowderyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12191121480961526039noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post-60225338521494750512013-02-19T07:28:46.501-06:002013-02-19T07:28:46.501-06:00I am thankful to my friend who introduced me to Ma...I am thankful to my friend who introduced me to Maker's Mark way back in 1999 in Australia. I like this whisky but have not had in in more than a decade after coming back to India.navin harishhttp://www.picturejockey.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post-17349144370368186212013-02-18T21:54:39.155-06:002013-02-18T21:54:39.155-06:00My two cents - Where as it makes sense to ramp up ...My two cents - Where as it makes sense to ramp up production when an increase in demand is trending...however, if you expand too far and floor drops from underneath you...it's a LONG way to fall.<br /><br />Personally, they should just follow Van Winkle's model and they'll do just fine. Even when the demand takes a dip.Bmacnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post-67989990170465522872013-02-16T19:32:51.794-06:002013-02-16T19:32:51.794-06:00Plenty of this going on in the aussie market due t...Plenty of this going on in the aussie market due to the restrictive tax structure, personally im not a big fan of it.<br /><br />BT is 80proof - no where as good as the 90<br />JB white is 74prof<br />JB black is 80proof and 6yrs<br />WT101 has no age statement now with a really horrible label which spits in the face of the history of WT (imo) <br />Woodfords is 86.4<br /><br />There are probably more but ive stopped taking note as it was getting too depressing. <br />Still much better than no bourbon at all i guess.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post-18843182061638745362013-02-14T01:37:20.351-06:002013-02-14T01:37:20.351-06:00Here in Australia I've watched Makers go from ...Here in Australia I've watched Makers go from 45% in 90's to 43% in the 2000s to 40% two years ago. All the while the price has either stayed the same or risen. <br /><br />Seems to me a good product becoming more average.<br /> Martynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post-86984909693589770922013-02-13T12:30:07.112-06:002013-02-13T12:30:07.112-06:00I believe MM is still 45% in the UK. However both ...I believe MM is still 45% in the UK. However both Buffalo Trace and Bulleit lowered their ABV to 40%.<br />I'm not sure how the taxes on this type of thing work out, but whatever the weather, if you put more water and less whiskey in the bottle, while still selling at the same price, you are onto a winner.Dannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post-79614949507928004642013-02-13T04:37:12.177-06:002013-02-13T04:37:12.177-06:00For those wondering what this means, mathematicall...For those wondering what this means, mathematically speaking, for Maker’s Mark to switch from a 90 proof (45% ABV) to an 84 proof (42% ABV) whiskey, it is the equivalent of removing 50 milliliters (1.6907 ounces) of whiskey from a regular 750 milliliter 90 proof bottle of Maker’s Mark and then topping it back off again with water. In other words, 700 milliliters of 90 proof whiskey is equivalent to 750 milliliters of 84 proof whiskey, which also means that 14 bottles at 90 proof can become 15 bottles at 84 proof.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post-80123740186130532912013-02-12T13:00:35.360-06:002013-02-12T13:00:35.360-06:00@Anonymous - The only one losing on the taxes is t...@Anonymous - The only one losing on the taxes is the gov't. Taxes are collected based on what is actually sold. If it's sold at 84*, then 84* worth of taxes will be collected from down the supply chain. Nobody makes extra money on that point.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post-49812940458219991412013-02-11T15:41:53.692-06:002013-02-11T15:41:53.692-06:00I have led a good many Australians on bourbon tour...I have led a good many Australians on bourbon tours over the past several years. Not one of them have ever addressed the difference in ABV negatively. To borrow a phrase from the movie Stripes - "Lighten up, Francis."Chipnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post-81805951346376308862013-02-11T10:05:49.978-06:002013-02-11T10:05:49.978-06:00Not only will they increase their bottle volumes w...Not only will they increase their bottle volumes with the same amount of aged whiskey, they will also save taxes. At the 2007 sales volume of 800K cases, that's about $1.5M (assuming 9 liter cases at 84 proof as opposed to 90 proof). For a large corporation, I'm not sure its significant, but it surely would be for most folks. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post-79364467922230515522013-02-10T23:51:46.121-06:002013-02-10T23:51:46.121-06:00I agree chuck, and I feel the same way I did when ...I agree chuck, and I feel the same way I did when I found out Templeton wasn't made anywhere near Iowa, or when whistle pig came out and they were trumpeting the Vermont banner everywhere. I realize that dropping your proof isn't as deceptive as being actively obfuscatory about your products origin, but it is a backhanded deception and a decision that is not made with the customer in mind. Mike Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15264386662741222528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post-47221445418372512322013-02-10T17:05:04.819-06:002013-02-10T17:05:04.819-06:00Why won't anyone address the fact that makers ...Why won't anyone address the fact that makers mark is a horrible bourbon?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post-73779550806943217392013-02-10T16:38:07.186-06:002013-02-10T16:38:07.186-06:00Everything you say is right, Mike, but even for me...Everything you say is right, Mike, but even for me there's a little loss of innocence in this. <i>quel dommage.</i>Chuck Cowderyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12191121480961526039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post-64709149390234102952013-02-10T15:54:05.211-06:002013-02-10T15:54:05.211-06:00This is disappointing but not tragic. Makers is fo...This is disappointing but not tragic. Makers is for me a benchmark whiskey but not necessarily one I like to drink a lot. We sell a good amount at the bar but those sales are nine times out of ten in a manhattan or with coke or ginger ale. I honestly don't think the average consumer will notice the flavor with all that stuff piled on top. It isn't like they are changing their image, which is really what most non industry people base their drinking decisions on anyway. We are fortunate enough to get all the weller we can use so we will continue to sell that, along with old Fitzgerald and larceny, if people want their bourbon wheated. Mike Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15264386662741222528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post-40396732543025369112013-02-10T15:34:39.322-06:002013-02-10T15:34:39.322-06:00Thanks, Chip. I brought it up because yesterday, w...Thanks, Chip. I brought it up because yesterday, when I was talking to Rob Samuels, I mentioned that when Daniel's cut its US proof to 80, they pointed out that consumers outside the US prefer lower proofs. Rob said non-US consumer preferences were not a consideration in their decision.Chuck Cowderyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12191121480961526039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post-13018004654546763512013-02-10T15:21:20.742-06:002013-02-10T15:21:20.742-06:00Maker's has shipped for many years 80 proof to...Maker's has shipped for many years 80 proof to Australia for the same reason most distilled spirits have less ABV there - Australia taxes based on ABV and is among the world's highest. Beam 4YR has been sold there at 72 proof for many years, legally not even bourbon in US.Chipnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post-5699870600245768192013-02-10T13:27:44.925-06:002013-02-10T13:27:44.925-06:00Short answer: corporate greed. Drink Van Winkle or...Short answer: corporate greed. Drink Van Winkle or Weller instead. Craig Hochscheidnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post-66402495144429992272013-02-10T12:52:47.685-06:002013-02-10T12:52:47.685-06:00@Hondo... funny you mention Weller. I'll take ...@Hondo... funny you mention Weller. I'll take 107 over Maker's flagship any day personally... but I thought I read recently the 107 was going to start being bottled younger....? Likely due to demand also. If dropping a couple proof points doesn't change Maker's flavor or body, to me it seems that is more practical than bottling younger whiskey... which probably will change it. Don't get me wrong, 'd love to get my hands on a Maker's barrel proof (younger or older...) and see what kind of trouble my liver couldn't find. Just think theres a certain profile they want to maintain without sacrificing things like age because that extra year in the wood is probably fairly critical to a larger scale production product. But hell, don't listen to me, I've been drinking.merdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04511185184630261701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post-22283280506112177852013-02-10T12:26:34.488-06:002013-02-10T12:26:34.488-06:00What's inflammatory, Dale, about reporting fac...What's inflammatory, Dale, about reporting facts? I hope you meant Bill Samuels Sr., Anonymous, since Bill Jr is still very much alive. You're right, JDL, watering the whiskey has an immediate effect and costs nothing. The expansion has a delayed effect and costs millions. Daryl, 46 doesn't have to change. The water is added at bottling. You're right, Hondo, except Weller is in short supply too.Chuck Cowderyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12191121480961526039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post-52486306845566097072013-02-10T09:11:55.135-06:002013-02-10T09:11:55.135-06:00Here is the answer: W.L. Weller Special Reserve......Here is the answer: W.L. Weller Special Reserve... better wheat bourbon... less money... and now, higher proof than Makers...Hondonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post-81226396625768541852013-02-10T08:44:26.465-06:002013-02-10T08:44:26.465-06:0046 has to change as well since 46 starts from orig...46 has to change as well since 46 starts from original makers.darylnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post-42310682166641456272013-02-10T07:40:23.346-06:002013-02-10T07:40:23.346-06:00My initial reaction was much like yours, but after...My initial reaction was much like yours, but after thinking about it, I am much more understanding of Beam. Who knows what the demand for bourbon (or Makers) will be in five years or beyond, in this time of changing tastes and taxes, and competition. If we are Beam, how do we use limited dollars? Especially if we want to be prepared to ward off Diageo. There is nothing magical about 90%. Change is hard for us, but let's wait and see.JDLnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post-91249426560414409852013-02-10T07:29:19.991-06:002013-02-10T07:29:19.991-06:00Bill Samuels Jr. SHOULD be rolling over in his gra...Bill Samuels Jr. SHOULD be rolling over in his grave.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post-88261828507919557512013-02-10T05:42:34.155-06:002013-02-10T05:42:34.155-06:00Here's an interesting fact: Chuck makes inflam...Here's an interesting fact: Chuck makes inflammatory statements without explaining all the facts. You wish to explain why it's 80 proof in Australia? Dale Crightonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08483087786673810027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post-3221402774983613362013-02-10T05:39:38.355-06:002013-02-10T05:39:38.355-06:00Here's an interesting fact: You make a stateme...Here's an interesting fact: You make a statement that in Australia MM is 80 proof without explaining why. Looks like you're trying to imply something by using half truths.Dale Crightonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08483087786673810027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-840930092789285091.post-69778975228705640562013-02-10T01:48:58.658-06:002013-02-10T01:48:58.658-06:00It doesn't. 46 isn't changing.It doesn't. 46 isn't changing.Chuck Cowderyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12191121480961526039noreply@blogger.com