Poll: Who Do You Want To Own Maker's Mark?

[bunghole]

Whom would you rather own the Maker's Mark Distillery?

[sevenmag]

I don't deny being a fan of MM, so my vote went to a ballot that cares more about preserving the heritage of it, even though they themselves aren't a fan of the brand.

So Linn got my vote.

[cowdery]

Oh, what the hell, I think Linn should own everything.

[angelshare]

We voted for Brenda J. With Linn, we have no doubt that quality would be of utmost importance, but we would wonder about supply issues. You know, lots of bourbon being diverted for "testing" and "promotional use."

But, if one of our friends can't own it, we would probably choose Bill Samuels, Jr, mainly because we think its not being consumed by a large corporation is a good thing.

[TNbourbon]

Well, I seem to be the lone cowboy for Jim Beam/Fortune, and my rationale is thus:
We frequently lament that Maker's Mark has only a single (c. 6yo, 90-proof) rendition, and posit that there is much potential there for longer-aged, barrel-proof, et al, versions. Well, at just 600,000 cases a year, they currently can't divert any to other versions.
Jim Beam/Fortune would solve that production problem in spades, though it will take some years. And, since Beam already is in the "Small Batch" business, it's not beyond the scope of reason to expect it. It may be the only way MM will ever reach that potential we all say we see, but lament that it doesn't achieve.

[Strayed]

I'm with Chuck on this one. Linn should get the Maker's Mark deal.
First, for those of us who've known Linn from the very early days, it just couldn't be more fitting for him to end up owning the company.

And secondly, Linn would surely allow Bill to continue his brilliant and funny promotional ideas, maybe even add to them.
And when Maker's comes out with the Official Pants (black with red wax drippings, of course) I want a pair of those.
42/28's will do just fine, thank you.
I'll grow into them.

[bourbonv]

I voted for the Wild Turkey/Maker's Mark merger. I think that would do both brands some good. Wild Turkey has an emphasis on quality that needs to return to Maker's Mark and Bill Samuels could probably help with the advertising of Wild Turkey, making it more interesting and effective.

My second choice would be Linn. He knows now what Maker's used to taste like and work hard to get it back to that quality. He would also have great fun making some new bourbons at the distillery - "Pants Away" the bourbon as only Linn could make.

Mike Veach

[jbohan]

My vote would go to Buffalo Trace, they know how to make wheated bourbon and I think they would show as much respect for Bill as they do for Julian. If MM goes to Constellation they would probably be left alone, Beam might do to them what they did to Old Crow.

[bunghole]

This whole Allied Domecq thing is really heating up with Constellation teaming up with Brown-Forman to counter the Pernod/Fortune team.

Diageo has done an about face and tossed their hat into the ring. All very intreresting.

Allied shareholders are really going to make some good money!

[jbohan]

The poll needs to be changed to have Diageo added now that they have made it clear they want Makers Mark.

Jack Daniel's wants MM, Jim Beam wants MM, and Diageo wants MM.

Since Diageo does not have any bourbon in its portfolio, they would probably do the least amount of tampering with the operations at MM.

[bourbonv]

Diageo doesn't have bourbons (except IW Harper) because they screwed up what they had and sold their brands to others. If they had kept what they owned they would have had Old Charter, I W Harper, Schenley, Old Quaker, James E Pepper, J W Dant, Old Fitzgerald, W L Weller, Cabin Still, Rebel Yell, Glenmore, Yellowstone, Ezra Brooks, Medley, Fleischmann's, Georgia Moon, and a boat load of other smaller brands. Their track record is a disaster with bourbon. Brown-Forman might be best as far as leaving the brand alone and letting Bill run things as they are.

Linn would make the bourbon better.

Mike Veach

[TNbourbon]

...Since Diageo does not have any bourbon in its portfolio...

Diageo also owns Bulliet, though it's distilled and bottled by Four Roses (which is owned by Kirin).

[bunghole]

Oh, what the hell, I think Linn should own everything.

The People Have Spoken! I should own Maker's Mark. Wouldn't that be a hoot!

ima

[jbohan]

Sorry for my error. Diageo does not think enough of any of its bourbons to list them on their web site.

[bourbonv]

Today's Paper has an article stating that Brown-Forman has pulled out of the competition clearing the way for Beam to take over the distillery. Maybe we should start a poll now as to how long Dave Pickerell keeps his job!

Mike Veach