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Sigh
Posted by Stephen Green · 30 September 2004
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 — which means the hooch has 3 percent less alcohol — has riled those still smarting from the "betrayal" of 15 years ago when the company lowered the strength of its 90-proof, 138-year-old original recipe, to 86 proof. Frank Kelly Rich, editor of Modern Drunkard magazine (and a contributor to The Post's Sunday books section), has taken up the cause along with "alert drunkard" Chris Sharp, who was apparently the first to notice the switch. Sharp has started an online petition and boycott with the magazine's backing "designed to right this grievous wrong." Distillery rep Roger Brashears told us, "We researched it and decided the majority of people wanted a less potent drink." Rich writes, "Jack Daniel's is, of course, a private corporation and they can do whatever the hell they want," but called the alcohol dilution "unfathomable blasphemy. They can lower the proof to zero and call it lemonade if they like. But that doesn't mean we have to drink it." Comments
The change — which means the hooch has 3 percent less alcoholActually, a drop in proof from 86 to 80 means 7% less alcohol. Posted by: Voice of Reason at September 30, 2004 10:09 AM 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. Posted by: Will Collier at September 30, 2004 10:12 AMIt'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. Posted by: Michael Parker at September 30, 2004 10:15 AMGiven that Maker's Mark is far superior, who cares? Posted by: jay at September 30, 2004 10:39 AMI'm calling great-gran back in Ireland ... "Can't we revoke the "Lynch" part of Lynchburg, Gran?" Posted by: TC-LeatherPenguin at September 30, 2004 10:46 AMFirst: 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: TO: Stephen Green 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) Posted by: Chuck Pelto at September 30, 2004 10:57 AMP.S. It's enough to drive a man to drink. Oh well...the sun is over the yard-arm. Posted by: Chuck Pelto at September 30, 2004 10:58 AM"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?
Knob Creek small batch is 100 proof. Makers is far superior in taste and being made in Kentucky is real bourbon. Posted by: fred at September 30, 2004 11:49 AMSigh. 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.
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! Posted by: Mike M at September 30, 2004 12:18 PMTo me, JD always tastes the same coming up as it did going down. Not my favorite flavor at all. Posted by: Slartibartfast at September 30, 2004 12:19 PMTha's...tha's...BULL...sharrgh...man...you gotta...drinkin' MORE of it...fer workin'... BWWWARRRRGGH.... oh man...sorry... Posted by: Ian Wood at September 30, 2004 12:40 PMReminds me of when I first saw the Jack Daniels green label (wtf decaf?)... 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. Posted by: Sam at September 30, 2004 01:21 PMTO: All ...as a last resort, we could always have an Everclear chaser. Regards, Chuck(le) Posted by: Chuck Pelto at September 30, 2004 01:28 PM"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 Posted by: Stephen Kohls at September 30, 2004 02:10 PMnow 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) Posted by: hey at September 30, 2004 03:03 PMFor 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. Posted by: hen at September 30, 2004 04:00 PMAs long as the brothers at King Cobra don't do the same, I'm down wif it. Posted by: Rev. Jesse Jackson at September 30, 2004 04:22 PMStop 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. Posted by: Bensanger at September 30, 2004 05:23 PMJay: "Given that Maker's Mark is far superior, who cares?" Right on Jay. Suggested sub until Jack gives back "Classic Jack". PS: Their dumbass 'research' pablum is insulting to adults. Oh well, back to the crack pipe. Posted by: Dave in Texas at September 30, 2004 05:48 PMJD is for high school. I prefer small batch bourbon and scotch now that the weather is turning. Posted by: Robert at September 30, 2004 06:36 PM`It's a free marketplace. I'm sure that their blind tastings revealed that the lower proof would result in higher profits. ' 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. Posted by: d at September 30, 2004 09:24 PMblech. never cared for jd anyway. i'll stick to my laphroaig Posted by: Mr. Bingley at October 1, 2004 05:27 AMListen 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? Posted by: Lorna at October 1, 2004 10:45 AMJD is whiskey? Get a bottle of Old Weller's Antique then talk to me. Posted by: Richard Cook at October 1, 2004 02:59 PMTo me, JD always tastes the same coming up as it did going down. Not my favorite flavor at all.
Of course, I'd rather have Absolut Citron than either of 'em. Posted by: rosignol at October 3, 2004 07:17 PM |
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