Sigh
September 30th, 2004 - 9:54 am
Reader Beege Welborn asks, “Is nothing sacred?” Apparently not:
JACK Daniel’s has sparked outrage among serious drinkers by unceremoniously lowering the proof of its famous Tennessee Whiskey from 86 to 80. The change
Now, that’s just sad.
I hereby pledge that as a matter of principled vengeance on the part of all serious drinkers, Auburn will beat Tennessee even worse this Saturday.
It’s a free marketplace. I’m sure that their blind tastings revealed that the lower proof would result in higher profits. There are a number of other makers who have discovered that there is a market for high-proof offerings. Jim Beam’s Bookers (~128proof), Aberlour A’bunadh (~120 proof) and cask-strength Laphroiag (unsure, but certainly 100+ proof) are a few that spring to mind.
Given that Maker’s Mark is far superior, who cares?
I’m calling great-gran back in Ireland … “Can’t we revoke the “Lynch” part of Lynchburg, Gran?”
First:
As a former resident of Lynchburg and a big fan of JD all my life, I hate to see it happening this way. I understand they want all the market share they can get, but the big wigs in the corporate office made a mistake this time. They are upsetting their loyal base to try to reach a few new customers, and getting some really bad press in the process. The quiet way they did this just looks sneaky and makes a bad situation worse.
It is not the first mistake “corporate” has made that has not gone over well with the “old-timers” and the “locals”, and sadly, it won’t be the last.
Second:
As the Vols are in no way associated with JD, this better have no bearing at all on Saturday’s game. GO VOLS! =)
TO: Stephen Green
RE: It’s Those Damned Ecoterrorist/Activists
They’re the cause of this dastardly decision by Jack.
That fire and spill killed too many fishies in the streams and creeks that flow from that happy land. So they have presured Jack and Company to lower the proof, thereby mitigating the fish-kill from any future such event….some 138 years from now….
…right?
Regards,
Chuck(le)
P.S. It’s enough to drive a man to drink. Oh well…the sun is over the yard-arm.
“We researched it and decided the majority of people wanted a less potent drink.”
New Coke ring a bell? I think they used research for an excuse on that one, too. At least they were upfront and relabeled the stuff. And has there been a proportional decrease in the retail price of JD, considering the revised water content? Less bang for one’s buck should cost less bucks, n’est pas?
Beege {:^)
aka
Knob Creek small batch is 100 proof. Makers is far superior in taste and being made in Kentucky is real bourbon.
Sigh. Part of a trend.
Jim Beam and Beam’s Choice were 86 proof until about twenty years ago.
Jim Beam Black was reduced from 90 to 86 about two years ago. Still real good, though.
Beltway Traffic Jam
The daily linkfest:
Craig Henry observes that televising “perp walks” and other practices belie the media myth that they stand up to government.
Joy Larkin explains why her next car won’t be a car.
Terry Oglesby finds Lynne Cheney is funnier…
What I want to know is who exactly constitutes the “serious drinker” community?
Alcoholics? George Thurogood fans? Ted Kennedy?
Besides, you can always spike your JD with Everclear if you need the extra kick!
To me, JD always tastes the same coming up as it did going down. Not my favorite flavor at all.
Tha’s…tha’s…BULL…sharrgh…man…you gotta…drinkin’ MORE of it…fer workin’…
BWWWARRRRGGH….
oh man…sorry…
Just Too Much To Handle For A Mortal Man
So much interesting stuff out there that I simply cannot cover it all. Here’s a general rundown on things across the blogosphere for today. I’d love to do entries on each of these, but I’ll leave it up to them…
Reminds me of when I first saw the Jack Daniels green label (wtf decaf?)…
Sad days, at least there’s still Wild Turkey!
Err, Voice of Reason – it’s 3 per cent. 80 proof is 40% alcohol (which is how they mark booze here in Europe), 86 is 43% (the strength of most whiskeys). Proof is exactly twice the percentage of alcohol. (I think Americans have a genetic disposition to use overly complicated units of measurement).
http://allrecipes.com/advice/ref/ency/terms/8080.asp
So unless I’m missing something, 86 to 80 means 3% less alcohol.
TO: All
RE: Well…
…as a last resort, we could always have an Everclear chaser.
Regards,
Chuck(le)
“So unless I’m missing something, 86 to 80 means 3% less alcohol.”
Sam- I think what Voice of Reason meant was that this is a reduction of 7% (i.e. 6/86 = 0.0698)
Either way it’s a shame.
Also, I heard on the TV news last night (no source unfortunately) that this change was actually tested in 3 states and found to increase sales. Go figure.
-S
now seriously, who, buying liquor, is going to say “ech that extra 3% is too much alcohol for me”
and since when was JD supposed to taste good??
anyways, y’all should be drinking somtheing scottish (or russian)
For what it’s worth JD says add one less ice cube and you won’t be able to tell the diff.
Maker’s Mark is better anyways.
As long as the brothers at King Cobra don’t do the same, I’m down wif it.
Potpourri
Here’s a bunch of stuff found today on some blogs, or in other words, “I’ll take Potpourri for $100 Alex”. Alex: Potpourri for $100 — This law was found unconstitutional yesterday by a Federal Court in NY, although you’d…
Stop comparing Tennessee whiskey with Kentucky Bourbon. That’s apples and oranges, not the same thing at all. Made differently, completely different taste.
There are only two Tennessee whiskeys. George Dickel and Jack Daniels, distilled about 20 miles apart. I prefer the Dickel.
Jay: “Given that Maker’s Mark is far superior, who cares?”
Right on Jay. Suggested sub until Jack gives back “Classic Jack”.
In fact, after Maker’s Mark, you may not want to return at all.
PS: Their dumbass ‘research’ pablum is insulting to adults.
It cost less to produce 80 proof and they think they can charge the same for it….and they’re probably right.
Oh well, back to the crack pipe.
JD is for high school. I prefer small batch bourbon and scotch now that the weather is turning.
`It’s a free marketplace. I’m sure that their blind tastings revealed that the lower proof would result in higher profits. ‘
Well, in so far as some margin is saved on using less alcahol per unit, like water down, say, a cream soup, more for the same price, sell ten cans instead of one, or, in a restaurant three plates of it instead of a third of plate of creme soup.
Well, I’m safe, I drink Glemorangie, Dimple and other not watered down old as the mountains scotch, hmmn, I’m thirsty, time for a bottle or two.
blech. never cared for jd anyway.
i’ll stick to my laphroaig
Listen to all this whining! I know, I know, proof is a sensitive issue. I think are we upset by manufacturing manipulations because they have become the norm instead of the exception. Do you remember when a pound of coffee was actually a pound? How about candybars of our youth? Now we’re talking liquor and sacred ground. Oh, woe are we. Just pour yourself 3% or 7% (or whatever it is) MORE and enjoy your evening! Or switch to Vodka; remember the site you are visiting?
JD is whiskey? Get a bottle of Old Weller’s Antique then talk to me.
To me, JD always tastes the same coming up as it did going down. Not my favorite flavor at all.
Ditto. I only touch Jack Daniels when my tastebuds have already been killed by Jos