Bourbon Tasting
02-14-2014 | 07:12 PM
#42
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 449
Likes: 0
Do y'all remember sometime last year the "owner ( one of the family) son's of the founder of the modern Maker's Mark" wrote the letter, that, they the "family that owned Maker's had to dilute the bourbon because they could NOT keep up with demand"? and how we were played and wrote back "no don't do it" to the family that owned Maker's? Do you remember getting little prizes for being part of the Maker's family? little sweaters for your bottles, ice ball cube forms, etc.??? I went on a tour of that place and they had me believing that BU(( $HIT... to find out later it was a F&cKING LIE... Now Maker's good olde Kentucky bourbon is part of an asset/ balance sheet for a multi-national holding company... (new owner's)they got suckered and bought a lie too... (bet they didn't know their "new" customer base had been unknowingly duped too...)
Tonight, I drink my last Bottle of Maker's.... I've mixed it down with "Old Smokey" Moonshine Cherries and Coca-Cola...
Looking forward to the bourbon tasting to find a new favorite "REAL" bourbon that doesn't LIE to my gullible dumbass, hillbilly face!!!
(Do you really have to do a background, R&D, project search on your favorite bourbon??? ...well with Maker's the answer is YES)
OKAY... to the past liars & marketing smarty (players) for Maker's Mark brand (you got me) and you GOT paid $$$$ BIG... and to the new owner's $$$$ sorry you bought the assets of ROI driven, hedge fund (pirates) slick marketing, FAKES & FRAUDS...(ask the little family of operators.)
I wonder if the stuff, "Maker's POP", was REALLY even made there? or aged there? is it ALL fake?... come to think of it... Maker's Land did look a little like Disneyland... too pretty & perfect to be a real distillery operation... what lie shall we believe, in a land of lies???
Looking for citizenship in a new bourbon land...
I now sail away from the once familiar and comfortable shores of Maker's Land to boldly search for new harbors and bourbon lands to explore and call home...
I shall search to world over to find a new bourbon home...
Maker's Mark, I bid thee farewell...
Tonight, I drink my last Bottle of Maker's.... I've mixed it down with "Old Smokey" Moonshine Cherries and Coca-Cola...
Looking forward to the bourbon tasting to find a new favorite "REAL" bourbon that doesn't LIE to my gullible dumbass, hillbilly face!!!
(Do you really have to do a background, R&D, project search on your favorite bourbon??? ...well with Maker's the answer is YES)
OKAY... to the past liars & marketing smarty (players) for Maker's Mark brand (you got me) and you GOT paid $$$$ BIG... and to the new owner's $$$$ sorry you bought the assets of ROI driven, hedge fund (pirates) slick marketing, FAKES & FRAUDS...(ask the little family of operators.)
I wonder if the stuff, "Maker's POP", was REALLY even made there? or aged there? is it ALL fake?... come to think of it... Maker's Land did look a little like Disneyland... too pretty & perfect to be a real distillery operation... what lie shall we believe, in a land of lies???
Looking for citizenship in a new bourbon land...
I now sail away from the once familiar and comfortable shores of Maker's Land to boldly search for new harbors and bourbon lands to explore and call home...
I shall search to world over to find a new bourbon home...
Maker's Mark, I bid thee farewell...
02-15-2014 | 08:27 AM
#45
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 449
Likes: 0
When we went on a tour of their factory... the tour guide showed us the family photos and pictures of the founder and his son's and grand children who ran the family business... implying the family still owned and ran the company... when the letter was sent about the diluting process, due to high demand, it was sent from one of the "owner's / founders"... the whole family run and owned story was a fake...
02-15-2014 | 08:31 AM
#46
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 449
Likes: 0
Rick Wilking /Reuters /Landov
Three bourbon whiskeys.
A piece of legendary Americana will now be owned by a Japanese firm.
Beam Inc., the maker of the bourbons Jim Beam and Maker's Mark, will be sold to Japan's Suntory in a deal the companies say is worth $16 billion, including assumed debt.
In a statement, Beam CEO Matt Shattock said: "Together we will be a global leader in distilled spirits with the No. 3 position in premium spirits and a dynamic portfolio across key categories. With particular strength in Bourbon, Scotch, Canadian, Irish and Japanese whisky, the combined company will have unparalleled expertise and portfolio breadth in premium whisky, which is driving the fastest growth in Western spirits."
The deal was unanimously approved by both boards.
Slate's Matthew Yglesias explains a bit of the business behind the acquisition:
"Bourbon demand has been surging in Asia, which briefly led Beam Inc. to consider watering down Maker's Mark to increase supply. Suntory is in Asia and, I think, believes it has some competency advantages in terms of Asian marketing and distribution. What it doesn't have is bourbon brands or facilities in the United States of America. Beam's got those, so together they can perhaps form a bourbon-exporting juggernaut. Of course for American bourbon drinkers this is probably going to end up meaning higher prices if more of the stuff gets shipped to China."
The New York Times puts the deal in some context:
"The deal is the biggest ever struck by Suntory, whose beverage empire includes Yamazaki Japanese whisky, Bowmore Scotch and Midori liqueur. The company's previous largest transaction was its purchase of Orangina Schweppes from a consortium of investors for more than $3 billion in 2009.
"Suntory was founded in 1899 and created Japan's first whisky producer in 1923, when the company's founder, Torii Shinjiro, built the Yamazaki distillery using the principles of Scotch whisky production.
"In recent years, Suntory has been expanding aggressively overseas to counteract a shrinking market at home in Japan, where the population is declining."
business
Suntory
Jim Beam
Three bourbon whiskeys.
A piece of legendary Americana will now be owned by a Japanese firm.
Beam Inc., the maker of the bourbons Jim Beam and Maker's Mark, will be sold to Japan's Suntory in a deal the companies say is worth $16 billion, including assumed debt.
In a statement, Beam CEO Matt Shattock said: "Together we will be a global leader in distilled spirits with the No. 3 position in premium spirits and a dynamic portfolio across key categories. With particular strength in Bourbon, Scotch, Canadian, Irish and Japanese whisky, the combined company will have unparalleled expertise and portfolio breadth in premium whisky, which is driving the fastest growth in Western spirits."
The deal was unanimously approved by both boards.
Slate's Matthew Yglesias explains a bit of the business behind the acquisition:
"Bourbon demand has been surging in Asia, which briefly led Beam Inc. to consider watering down Maker's Mark to increase supply. Suntory is in Asia and, I think, believes it has some competency advantages in terms of Asian marketing and distribution. What it doesn't have is bourbon brands or facilities in the United States of America. Beam's got those, so together they can perhaps form a bourbon-exporting juggernaut. Of course for American bourbon drinkers this is probably going to end up meaning higher prices if more of the stuff gets shipped to China."
The New York Times puts the deal in some context:
"The deal is the biggest ever struck by Suntory, whose beverage empire includes Yamazaki Japanese whisky, Bowmore Scotch and Midori liqueur. The company's previous largest transaction was its purchase of Orangina Schweppes from a consortium of investors for more than $3 billion in 2009.
"Suntory was founded in 1899 and created Japan's first whisky producer in 1923, when the company's founder, Torii Shinjiro, built the Yamazaki distillery using the principles of Scotch whisky production.
"In recent years, Suntory has been expanding aggressively overseas to counteract a shrinking market at home in Japan, where the population is declining."
business
Suntory
Jim Beam
02-15-2014 | 08:42 AM
#47
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 449
Likes: 0
Tech | 2/17/2013 @ 3:45PM |40,591 views
Maker's Mark Sincerely Apologizes For Almost Diluting Its Bourbon
14 comments, 6 called-out
Comment Now
Follow Comments
This morning, Maker’s Mark executives announced that they’re reversing the decision to water down their bourbon, in a classy apology posted to the company’s Facebook page and website.
When the company announced plans to cut the alcohol content in its bourbon from 45 percent (90 proof) to 42 percent (84 proof) due to supply problems, customers were mad. Really mad. Turns out, people would rather deal with a shortage of their favorite bourbon than a shortage of alcohol in their bourbon.
After taking in the backlash, Maker’s Mark had a change of heart. Today, the company tweeted “You spoke. We listened,” with a link to a public apology from COO Rob Samuels and his dad, chairman emeritus Bill Samuels, Jr. Here’s the text of the letter:
The Art Of The Corporate Apology
Kate Kiefer LeeKate Kiefer Lee
Contributor
Dear Friends,
Since we announced our decision last week to reduce the alcohol content (ABV) of Maker’s Mark in response to supply constraints, we have heard many concerns and questions from our ambassadors and brand fans. We’re humbled by your overwhelming response and passion for Maker’s Mark. While we thought we were doing what’s right, this is your brand – and you told us in large numbers to change our decision.
You spoke. We listened. And we’re sincerely sorry we let you down.
So effective immediately, we are reversing our decision to lower the ABV of Maker’s Mark, and resuming production at 45% alcohol by volume (90 proof). Just like we’ve made it since the very beginning.
The unanticipated dramatic growth rate of Maker’s Mark is a good problem to have, and we appreciate some of you telling us you’d even put up with occasional shortages. We promise we’ll deal with them as best we can, as we work to expand capacity at the distillery.
Your trust, loyalty and passion are what’s most important. We realize we can’t lose sight of that. Thanks for your honesty and for reminding us what makes Maker’s Mark, and its fans, so special.
We’ll set about getting back to bottling the handcrafted bourbon that our father/grandfather, Bill Samuels, Sr. created. Same recipe. Same production process. Same product.
As always, we will continue to let you know first about developments at the distillery. In the meantime please keep telling us what’s on your mind and come down and visit us at the distillery. It means a lot to us.
Sincerely,
Rob Samuels Chief Operating Officer rob@makersmark.com
Bill Samuels, Jr Chairman Emeritus bill@makersmark.com
Of course the reversal was primarily a business decision, but this apology is heartfelt and nicely done. Maker’s Mark’s leaders are human, they made a bad decision, and they’re going to make it right. It’s that simple. They didn’t defend their motives or sneak in any excessive marketing. They didn’t even try compromising to cut the difference. Instead, they acknowledged that they let down their customers and promised to return to the original recipe—even if that means more shortages. The letter reminds fans that Maker’s Mark is still a family business, and including their direct email addresses is a meaningful gesture in itself.
We can’t always predict our customers’ feelings, and when we get something wrong, they have every right to tell us they’re mad. The way we respond to angry customers says a lot about our brand, and Maker’s Mark was listening. This sort of transparency goes a long way with customers.
Comments
Jacques Cousteau Jacques Cousteau 11 months ago
It’s amazing what people get all excited about. I’m sure MM could have made the change without an announcement and no one would have noticed. But Wall St. tycoons rape them and get away with it laughing, and everybody shrugs. Republicans lie openly about the facts of evolution and global warming, and people suffer through 130-degree summers so corporations can make their profits, and no one cares. But take three percent booze out of some drink where the ice melting already dilutes the liquid more than that, and everyone gets excited.
Therealdan McKelvey Therealdan McKelvey 11 months ago
We are not all stupid….Their comments are.
John gonsales John gonsales 11 months ago
Now hear this makers mark, Us drunks want a 101 proof apology special immediadtly!!! Thanks and good nite.
Matt Lesnik Matt Lesnik 11 months ago
Maker’s Mark could have saved themselves the hassle and asked (via survey/poll) their consumers/fans what they wanted before announcing a decision then retracting based on the backlash.
If a company truly values their consumers/fans, they will ask first and then make the decision based on the input.
Roy Kyle Roy Kyle 11 months ago
It is their product and they were thinking about making sure that they would be able to keep the product available to their customers. Do you even realize how many companies change their products and don’t even let the public know about it? They did the right thing.
Matt Lesnik Matt Lesnik 11 months ago
You’re right it is their product. However, they made the decision to dilute the product before consulting with their loyal fan base/customers. If they truly do care, they would have asked before making the decision, not reacting to the opposition of customers.
While in comparison to other companies who reduce/dilute their product and charge the same price (or more), they do stand out as one of the better, but a smart company will always be proactive rather than reactive.
Roy Kyle Roy Kyle 11 months ago
Maker’s Mark is the best bourbon and the most classy. I respect that they know the customers come first.
John Wong John Wong 11 months ago
You surely made my daughter Lee Anne happy in keeping up the potency of your fine product.
George Anders George Anders, Contributor 11 months ago
This sure is playing out as a great “brand awareness” campaign. Hats off to Maker’s Mark for figuring out a way to get everyone talking about their brand … without having to do anything.
Howard Heitmann Howard Heitmann 11 months ago
How does one lie about facts? It would seem that facts “speak” for themselves.
Marcus Hubbard Marcus Hubbard 11 months ago
I would better except an apology for lying about the whole thing for the sake of advertising. Hell of a marketer they must have though, gotta admit
Jim Breed Jim Breed 11 months ago
New Coke? Wasn’t anyone at MM alive in the eighties?
Doug Berg Doug Berg 11 months ago
Now if Coca Cola would have done this back in 85 I would still be drinking Coke. Coke Classic is not the same. I respect Maker’s Mark for keeping it “real”.
James Brooks James Brooks 11 months ago
Absolutely brilliant. Minimal investment in actual ad spend, maximum return on investment in brand awareness and recognition. This campaign probably produced countless discussions and impressions. I’d love to see the sales numbers and look for a hoarding spike.
If I ever meet the team that created this, the next round (of the good stuff) is on me.
Maker's Mark Sincerely Apologizes For Almost Diluting Its Bourbon
14 comments, 6 called-out
Comment Now
Follow Comments
This morning, Maker’s Mark executives announced that they’re reversing the decision to water down their bourbon, in a classy apology posted to the company’s Facebook page and website.
When the company announced plans to cut the alcohol content in its bourbon from 45 percent (90 proof) to 42 percent (84 proof) due to supply problems, customers were mad. Really mad. Turns out, people would rather deal with a shortage of their favorite bourbon than a shortage of alcohol in their bourbon.
After taking in the backlash, Maker’s Mark had a change of heart. Today, the company tweeted “You spoke. We listened,” with a link to a public apology from COO Rob Samuels and his dad, chairman emeritus Bill Samuels, Jr. Here’s the text of the letter:
The Art Of The Corporate Apology
Kate Kiefer LeeKate Kiefer Lee
Contributor
Dear Friends,
Since we announced our decision last week to reduce the alcohol content (ABV) of Maker’s Mark in response to supply constraints, we have heard many concerns and questions from our ambassadors and brand fans. We’re humbled by your overwhelming response and passion for Maker’s Mark. While we thought we were doing what’s right, this is your brand – and you told us in large numbers to change our decision.
You spoke. We listened. And we’re sincerely sorry we let you down.
So effective immediately, we are reversing our decision to lower the ABV of Maker’s Mark, and resuming production at 45% alcohol by volume (90 proof). Just like we’ve made it since the very beginning.
The unanticipated dramatic growth rate of Maker’s Mark is a good problem to have, and we appreciate some of you telling us you’d even put up with occasional shortages. We promise we’ll deal with them as best we can, as we work to expand capacity at the distillery.
Your trust, loyalty and passion are what’s most important. We realize we can’t lose sight of that. Thanks for your honesty and for reminding us what makes Maker’s Mark, and its fans, so special.
We’ll set about getting back to bottling the handcrafted bourbon that our father/grandfather, Bill Samuels, Sr. created. Same recipe. Same production process. Same product.
As always, we will continue to let you know first about developments at the distillery. In the meantime please keep telling us what’s on your mind and come down and visit us at the distillery. It means a lot to us.
Sincerely,
Rob Samuels Chief Operating Officer rob@makersmark.com
Bill Samuels, Jr Chairman Emeritus bill@makersmark.com
Of course the reversal was primarily a business decision, but this apology is heartfelt and nicely done. Maker’s Mark’s leaders are human, they made a bad decision, and they’re going to make it right. It’s that simple. They didn’t defend their motives or sneak in any excessive marketing. They didn’t even try compromising to cut the difference. Instead, they acknowledged that they let down their customers and promised to return to the original recipe—even if that means more shortages. The letter reminds fans that Maker’s Mark is still a family business, and including their direct email addresses is a meaningful gesture in itself.
We can’t always predict our customers’ feelings, and when we get something wrong, they have every right to tell us they’re mad. The way we respond to angry customers says a lot about our brand, and Maker’s Mark was listening. This sort of transparency goes a long way with customers.
Comments
Jacques Cousteau Jacques Cousteau 11 months ago
It’s amazing what people get all excited about. I’m sure MM could have made the change without an announcement and no one would have noticed. But Wall St. tycoons rape them and get away with it laughing, and everybody shrugs. Republicans lie openly about the facts of evolution and global warming, and people suffer through 130-degree summers so corporations can make their profits, and no one cares. But take three percent booze out of some drink where the ice melting already dilutes the liquid more than that, and everyone gets excited.
Therealdan McKelvey Therealdan McKelvey 11 months ago
We are not all stupid….Their comments are.
John gonsales John gonsales 11 months ago
Now hear this makers mark, Us drunks want a 101 proof apology special immediadtly!!! Thanks and good nite.
Matt Lesnik Matt Lesnik 11 months ago
Maker’s Mark could have saved themselves the hassle and asked (via survey/poll) their consumers/fans what they wanted before announcing a decision then retracting based on the backlash.
If a company truly values their consumers/fans, they will ask first and then make the decision based on the input.
Roy Kyle Roy Kyle 11 months ago
It is their product and they were thinking about making sure that they would be able to keep the product available to their customers. Do you even realize how many companies change their products and don’t even let the public know about it? They did the right thing.
Matt Lesnik Matt Lesnik 11 months ago
You’re right it is their product. However, they made the decision to dilute the product before consulting with their loyal fan base/customers. If they truly do care, they would have asked before making the decision, not reacting to the opposition of customers.
While in comparison to other companies who reduce/dilute their product and charge the same price (or more), they do stand out as one of the better, but a smart company will always be proactive rather than reactive.
Roy Kyle Roy Kyle 11 months ago
Maker’s Mark is the best bourbon and the most classy. I respect that they know the customers come first.
John Wong John Wong 11 months ago
You surely made my daughter Lee Anne happy in keeping up the potency of your fine product.
George Anders George Anders, Contributor 11 months ago
This sure is playing out as a great “brand awareness” campaign. Hats off to Maker’s Mark for figuring out a way to get everyone talking about their brand … without having to do anything.
Howard Heitmann Howard Heitmann 11 months ago
How does one lie about facts? It would seem that facts “speak” for themselves.
Marcus Hubbard Marcus Hubbard 11 months ago
I would better except an apology for lying about the whole thing for the sake of advertising. Hell of a marketer they must have though, gotta admit
Jim Breed Jim Breed 11 months ago
New Coke? Wasn’t anyone at MM alive in the eighties?
Doug Berg Doug Berg 11 months ago
Now if Coca Cola would have done this back in 85 I would still be drinking Coke. Coke Classic is not the same. I respect Maker’s Mark for keeping it “real”.
James Brooks James Brooks 11 months ago
Absolutely brilliant. Minimal investment in actual ad spend, maximum return on investment in brand awareness and recognition. This campaign probably produced countless discussions and impressions. I’d love to see the sales numbers and look for a hoarding spike.
If I ever meet the team that created this, the next round (of the good stuff) is on me.
02-15-2014 | 08:49 AM
#48
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 449
Likes: 0
We’ll set about getting back to bottling the handcrafted bourbon that our father/grandfather, Bill Samuels, Sr. created. Same recipe. Same production process. Same product. 
As always, we will continue to let you know first about developments at the distillery. In the meantime please keep telling us what’s on your mind and come down and visit us at the distillery. It means a lot to us.
Sincerely,
Rob Samuels Chief Operating Officer rob@makersmark.com
Bill Samuels, Jr Chairman Emeritus bill@makersmark.com
Of course the reversal was primarily a business decision, but this apology is heartfelt and nicely done. Maker’s Mark’s leaders are human, they made a bad decision, and they’re going to make it right. It’s that simple. They didn’t defend their motives or sneak in any excessive marketing. They didn’t even try compromising to cut the difference. Instead, they acknowledged that they let down their customers and promised to return to the original recipe—even if that means more shortages. The letter reminds fans that Maker’s Mark is still a family business , and including their direct email addresses is a meaningful gesture in itself.
As always, we will continue to let you know first about developments at the distillery. In the meantime please keep telling us what’s on your mind and come down and visit us at the distillery. It means a lot to us.
Sincerely,
Rob Samuels Chief Operating Officer rob@makersmark.com
Bill Samuels, Jr Chairman Emeritus bill@makersmark.com
Of course the reversal was primarily a business decision, but this apology is heartfelt and nicely done. Maker’s Mark’s leaders are human, they made a bad decision, and they’re going to make it right. It’s that simple. They didn’t defend their motives or sneak in any excessive marketing. They didn’t even try compromising to cut the difference. Instead, they acknowledged that they let down their customers and promised to return to the original recipe—even if that means more shortages. The letter reminds fans that Maker’s Mark is still a family business
, and including their direct email addresses is a meaningful gesture in itself.
