William World News William F. Yurasko's blog v.14 – Nats, Redskins, Capitals, D.C. life, transportation, not so much Penn State anymore,

Maker’s Mark is backtracking from their plan to lower the proof/alcohol by volume (ABV) from 90/45% to 84/42%.
Here’s an excerpt from the company’s about face:
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 [...]

So much for “It tastes expensive … and is”
Bourbon Blog reports that Maker’s Mark bourbon will be bottled sold at 42% alcohol by volume, down from 45%.
The reduction of proof will be permanent for this global brand and will help Maker’s Mark to put their popular Bourbon in the hands of consumers who are [...]

Van Winkle supplies being refreshed – Examiner.com
The Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery will be supplying more inventory for select stores. Apparently, their fine bourbons have been harder to find on store shelves of late.

A great post from Chuck Chowdery’s blog — How Maker’s Mark Was Made. Maker’s was one of, if not, the first premium bourbons. They started small and mostly stayed that way for a few decades. A clever advertising campaign “Maker’s tastes expensive…and it is” helped it along, but mostly a Wall Street Journal article in [...]

Rare, cult-like bourbon keeps patrons thirsty for more – WTOP
As much as I love Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Years Old 90 proof, I have yet to try or even seek out Pappy Van Winkle in either the 20 or 23 year old versions. Frankly, I have some skepticism over it because because it is [...]

FAIRFAX, Va. — The Ombudsman recently moved to Northern Virginia from the Boston area to be closer to WWN operations.* His arrival is good on several fronts, including the bourbon one. On Saturday, before meeting up with my dad for some chili dogs at The Vienna Inn, we visited his new apartment in order [...]

Tomorrow is the 137th Kentucky Derby and as usual my family is having a party. A big part of the party is making mint juleps, the combination of bourbon, simple syrup, mint and ice that Henry Clay introduced to Washington and by extension the country/world when he was a senator from Kentucky. After the drinks [...]

This is the kind of game you love. I’m going to go home and get in trouble with a good stiff bourbon. Then I’m going to take a nap and get out some Ohio State tapes.
– Joe Paterno, October 20, 2001
The origin of the tradition of post-game bourbon toasts to celebrate Penn State wins is [...]

I finally found an appropriate occasion to break open this bottle of Maker’s Mark that I got in summer 2007. You may recall that I went to a special event in Northwest D.C. that featured bottles of Maker’s Mark being dipped in blue wax and signing by Washington Senators legend Frank Howard. Ah the symbolism [...]

Driven to Drink in Kentucky – The PostI really need to do this someday. Like I said, Sideways II. Come on Ombudsman, you’ve even got the convertible.
Bourbon Trail, Kentucky
©MMX William F. Yurasko