Big news in whiskeytown. The New York Post is reporting that Maker’s Mark will be cutting its flagship brand down from 90 proof to about 84 proof in order to meet the global rise in demand for the brand. No word on when the cut will be in effect or when the lower-proof Maker’s will be hitting shelves. Stock up now if you like it hot. [New York Post]
Business Week has had quite the week of investigative reports in the service of spirits. First, BW reports on a new, insidious practice, which could potentially infest your local watering hole: an upcharge for ordering a drink neat. (The argument: You’re getting extra booze if there’s no ice in the glass.) While this may be an incident isolated to the island of Manhattan for now, it will be interesting to see if this deplorable act makes it way to the rest of the nation.
In other news, BW finds the answer to one of life’s most nagging questions: How come Australian wine is so cheap compared to other imported wines? [Business Week]











