So, Maker's Mark and Knob Creek are Japanese now ... ;)

[Robin Garr]

"With the addition of Beam, Suntory will gain Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark and Knob Creek Bourbons, Teacher’s and Laphroaig Scotch whiskies, Canadian Club whisky, Courvoisier Cognac, Sauza Tequila, and Pinnacle vodka."

Japan’s Suntory To Acquire Beam Inc. For $16 Billion, Creating Fourth-Largest Spirits Player

While I am sorry to hear of an American brand like Beam to fall under a foreign entities control, I would bet that Suntory would not have created the Maker's Mark proof debacle.

Does this mean that we may be in store for "Bourbon barrel Saki"?

"For relaxing times, make it Suntory time."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiQnH450hPM

I thought I'd put in my 2 cents.

As anyone can see from my last name, I am a Beam. Unfortunately I'm in another branch of the family tree (thus I've never seen a penny), but up until my father's generation, the men of the family went into the distillery business (I have second and third and so forth cousins who are master distillers all over the state).

I think this sellout is pretty much a disgrace. I've been around the Beam family for 48 years, enough to recognize common family traits (probably that German heritage), and I can say with all certainty Ol' Cousin Jim and family members down the ancestral trail would be angry beyond all reason.

Am I surprised a Japanese company wants to buy? Not at all. The Japanese have had an obsession with bourbon for several decades. I'm just really disappointed that history is going to be sacrificed for profit. Some companies should stay in American hands. /soapbox

.

At least it wasn't the damn Chinese...or worse yet the Canadians.

I guess the Japanese decided that if they can't get Maker's Mark to lower the proof so they could get more just by the entire brand! Maybe Suntory wouldn't have created the debacle over changing the proof, they would've just created a shortage here in the states so they could export more to the overseas market.

Suntory was Brown-Formans distributor for years. They made it very challenging. They began doing more and more of their own spirits. Lincoln Henderson worked with them. Other countries love finding ways to make American products more difficult to sell in their own countries. Fewer jobs probably with an even bigger employer. Can't reduce bourbon below 80 proof. You'd have to call it something else.

I could be wrong but, Beam Inc. Was started only a few years ago. Jim Beam was owned by Fortune Brands. The family sold out years ago...
There is nothing wrong with that. The family still works the business. Freddy Noe is a huge asset to the company. And I bet the new lords of the manor recognize that the family is a good thing for the future.

The announcement I heard included the refrain "The current management will remain...."

translation = better update your resumé

[Robin Garr]

And I bet the new lords of the manor recognize that the family is a good thing for the future.

I hope you're right, Will. I'm forever bitter because I saw the promises that weren't kept, and the massive lies that were uttered, when the evil Gannett Corp. bought the local newspapers from the Bingham family. But hey, there's always hope, right? It is just barely possible, for instance, that Japanese corporations aren't as evil in the pursuit of sheer profit than American conglomerates. But I'm not holding my breath.

And I bet the new lords of the manor recognize that the family is a good thing for the future.

I hope you're right, Will. I'm forever bitter because I saw the promises that weren't kept, and the massive lies that were uttered, when the evil Gannett Corp. bought the local newspapers from the Bingham family. But hey, there's always hope, right? It is just barely possible, for instance, that Japanese corporations aren't as evil in the pursuit of sheer profit than American conglomerates. But I'm not holding my breath.

But they are already a big big corporation and they retained the family. They were owned by Fortune Brands, even when Booker was alive.

[Robin Garr]

But they are already a big big corporation and they retained the family. They were owned by Fortune Brands, even when Booker was alive.

Like I said, Will, I hope you're right! My only concern - and I saw this happen with the Binghams - is if the stockholders start agitating about "fiduciary responsibility" if they want more returns and there are corners out there just asking to be cut.

Foreign ownership of bourbon distilleries is nothing new. Four Roses is owned by Kirin Brewery Company and Wild Turkey by Campari.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating. The proof of the spirits company's ownership is in the drinking. Let's just everybody hold off on freaking out unless and until there's a change in the actual product.