Maker's Mark announced it is reducing the amount of alcohol in the spirit to keep pace with rapidly increasing consumer demand.

In an email to its fans, representatives of the brand said the entire bourbon category is "exploding" and demand for Maker's Mark is growing even faster. Some customers have even reported empty shelves in their local stores, it said.

After looking at "all possible solutions," the total alcohol by volume of Maker's Mark is being reduced by 3 percent. Representatives said the change will allow it to maintain the same taste while making sure there's "enough Maker's Mark to go around." It's working to expand its distillery and production capacity, too.

Maker's Mark, made by Deerfield-based Beam Inc., said it's done extensive testing to ensure the same taste. It says bourbon drinkers couldn't tell the difference. It also underscored the fact that nothing else in the production process has changed.

Rob Samuels, chief operating officer and grandson of Maker's Mark Founder Bill Samuels, Sr., said this is a permanent decision that won’t be reversed when demand for bourbon slows down

I prefer Basil Hayden anyways

I'll stick with Woodford Reserve when possible and now Knob Creek when the alternative is Makers.

I agree. For what it's worth I kind of view Makers as the Absolut of Bourbon. It's the brand you call because it's the first one that comes to mind. Not really as good as the perception...but now they've lowered that perception for those paying attention. I'll stick with Woodford Reserve when possible and now Knob Creek when the alternative is Makers.

:scratch: I've never been to one liquor store where Maker's is sold out. Maker's is my go-to decent bourbon but that'll have to change. Pretty shitty management decision.

I have also never run across this problem. It sounds made up.

O-BAHMA!

He doesn't drink - he smokes hookah.

I have also never run across this problem. It sounds made up.

I have also never run across this problem. It sounds made up.

I prefer Basil Hayden anyways

I don't think it is made up. Remember, it takes a long time to age that shit. The amount there is is all there is. Ramping up production produces no yield for two years at a bare minimum. Bourbon has become very popular over the last several years what with all kinds of high end cocktail bars popping up everywhere.

Rob Samuels, chief operating officer and grandson of Maker's Mark Founder Bill Samuels, Sr., said this is a permanent decision that won’t be reversed when demand for bourbon slows down

But the quote below Darkside included shoots down the demand excuse.

Maker's Mark announced Sunday it has reversed a decision to reduce the alcohol content of its bourbon in an attempt to meet a growing global demand for the spirit.

Last week's announcement of the decision to reduce alcohol content to 42% ABV (84 proof) down from 45% ABV (90 proof) sparked an uproar as many customers accused the company of reducing the quality and value of its iconic product purely in an attempt to maximize profits.

"Effective immediately, we are reversing our decision to lower the ABV (alcohol by volume) of Maker's Mark, and resuming production at 45 percent alcohol by volume," the company said on its website. The company also changed the background image on their Twitter account to a photograph of the current alcohol content label on the Maker's Mark bottle with a caption reading "You spoke. We Listened. Here's proof."

Maker's Mark had decided to lower the alcohol content due to supply constraints amid strong demand, but it said an "overwhelming response" had led it to reverse that decision.

I'm going to get drunk and neglect my family to celebrate. Thanks, Makers Mark!

I'm going to get drunk and neglect my family to celebrate. Thanks, Makers Mark!