<p>Will our grandchildren do case studies in b-school on Maker’s Mark instead of New Coke? Is Beam Inc.'s decision to reduce Maker’s Mark from 90 proof (45 ABV) to 84 proof (42 ABV) a big deal? Is watering down the product a good way to respond to high demand?</p>
<p>I don’t drink bourbon (or whisky) but dh does. I just checked, and our bar is currently stocked with several Beam brands including Red Stag, Jim Beam Black, Knob Creek, Booker’s and Basil Hayden’s. </p>
<p>Maybe it’s time to find some other options. What are some good bourbons made by other distillers?</p>
<p>Don’t much drink the stuff anymore except for a mint julep on Kentucky Derby day, but I’m kind of partial to Elijah Craig 12-year-old Small Batch Bourbon, by Heaven Hill Distillery. Heaven Hill claims that the Rev. Elijah Craig, who founded a distillery in 1789, was the original inventor of Kentucky-style bourbon because he was the first to age his corn spirits in charred oak casks, but other distillers dispute that claim. It’s quite inexpensive for a 12-year-old bourbon (around $22), and at 94 proof, “It’ll cure what ails ya.”</p>
<p>My absolute favorite is Blanton, but I also like Bulleit and Elmer T Lee. I am looking forward to trying Pappy Van Winkle on my next trip to Kentucky, but like Blanton, it won’t be in my budget often.</p>
<p>Y’all are wonderful! Lots of good ideas. Dh likes Woodford Reserve, but I’d completely forgotten about it. I’d like to get one of each that you suggested and have another tasting for dh and a few friends.</p>
<p>Peabodie, I agree. It’s too bad that Beam/Maker’s Mark decided to water down their product. It’s a shame they’ve tarnished a good name.</p>
<p>The article I read said that since most people do not drink bourbon neat, that most will not notice the difference. Since I am not a bourbon gal, it doesn’t matter to me, but I sent the article to my son!</p>
<p>Did anyone notice it was Charlize Theron’s chosen beverage in the recent movie, Young Adult? </p>
<p>I thought when I saw it again and again in the film, label featured prominently, that they were trying to attract a new audience via the product placement. It didn’t seem to make sense for her character though.</p>
<p>I meant to stop by the liquor store today. (I drink it on the rocks.) Will try the Woodford. I was really shocked by the way MM decided to handle this.</p>
<p>Either this was a great PR ploy or the founding family of Maker’s Mark does still care about the brand. Whichever the case, it’s been announced that Maker’s Mark will not be diluted after all.</p>
<p>According to Forbes, the company was surprised by the outcry from its customers and has reversed course: </p>
<p>Chairman Emeritus and founder Bill Samuels, Jr., said, We got the picture quickly and we are not quite as stupid as we were at this time last week.</p>
<p>I agree with snowball here, that unless one drinks it neat, the new “watered down version”, if it came to pass, would have an undetectable change. </p>
<p>Some people choose to water it down themselves, like 1moremom does.<br>
Some choose to mix it with ice and cola.</p>
<p>Personally, while I like Beam, black label beam, and 2 or 3 varities of MM, I wasn’t as fond of Woodford Res.</p>
I did this a couple of years ago with a couple dozen friends - but I decanted them into blank numbered bottles first, so no one would know what they were drinking. Interesting outcome: the top choice was Ancient Age, which goes for about $10. Woodford Reserve, Knob Creek, Bulleit and Maker’s Mark all lagged Ancient Age by a significant margin, as did Jim Beam, Jack Daniels and a couple others.</p>
<p>My current “other” favorite is Buffalo Trace. For higher proof whiskey lovers, Costco sells a liter bottle of “Kirkland” 100 proof bourbon which is Knob Creek with undetectable changes in blending. </p>
<p>I drink Bourbon straight over ice 95% of the time. (Manhattans or Mint Julep, depending on the season, the other 5%) But it’s an acquired taste.</p>
<p>I usually mix with cola and ice, and occasionally dring it straight, but Kluge’s comment “straight over ice” struck me as funny.
I know what he means, though.</p>