THE DRINK NATION IS A FREE RESOURCE FOR FINDING EVERYTHING AWESOME ABOUT DRINKING IN YOUR LOCATION

An Inconvenient Truth: Growing Thirst for Whiskey Now Exceeds Global Supply

Stock up while you can
by The Drink Nation on May 14, 2014 in Culture
An Inconvenient Truth: Growing Thirst for Whiskey Now Exceeds Global Supply

It’s no secret that bourbon consumption has grown exponentially in recent years. So much so, that supplies of the once unfashionable all-American brown water are becoming increasingly scarce.

The first signs of trouble came last year when Beam Inc. announced that it was going to literally water-down its premium flagship, Makers Mark, cutting the bourbon from 90 proof to 84 proof in order to continue meeting the rising demand. When it became obvious that whiskey drinkers were anything but pleased to hear this news, the company aborted the plan. But shortly thereafter, Buffalo Trace warned that supplies of its whiskeys were also dwindling.

Some scoffed at the notion, chalking it all up as a clever marketing gimmick to justify raising prices on the precious potable potions. But this week the investment wonks at Motley Fool joined the growing chorus of media outlets heralding the inconvenient truth that like Antarctica's Western Ice Sheet’s unstoppable collapse, bourbon producers’ inability to continue to meet demand and rapidly shrinking inventories are a very real concern.

Further complicating matters is the fact that whiskey — the good ones, anyway — take decades to properly age, and since drinking bourbon was anything but hip in the 80s and 90s, production was scaled back, which means that in spite distillers efforts now to increase production, current inventories are very limited.

And it’s not just bourbon either. Esquire reports that all whiskeys — from Irish to Scotch — produced worldwide are in increasingly short supply. In fact, some single-malt Scotch producers are now releasing their whiskies without a statement of age as a workaround for diminishing stocks.

But what can a whiskey drinker do? Stock up on the good stuff while you can afford to. The shortages will likely continue for years to come. Aside from hoarding whiskey — or heaven forbid, go without it — all you can really do is pray for the angels to pour you a dram from their share.

Photo: Bourbon & Branch


Tags: Bourbon, News, Spirits, Whiskey
Recent Articles

Feedback

How are we doing? Tell us what you like or don't like and how we can improve. We would love to hear your thoughts!

*Name:
*E-mail:
*Suggestions:
 
Inside Look: Campari's Stylish North American Headquarters in New York

Inside Look: Campari's Stylish North American Headquarters in New York

If you're a frequent Negroni drinker, always order Wild Turkey Bourbon in your old fashioneds, or prefer your ...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Jan 9, 2020
Behind the Bar: Liana Oster of Dante

Behind the Bar: Liana Oster of Dante

For this exciting installment of Behind the Bar, we had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Liana Oster, the head bartender at Dante in New Yo...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Jan 7, 2020
Pabst Blue Ribbon Launches Blue Ribbon Whiskey in Select US Markets

Pabst Blue Ribbon Launches Blue Ribbon Whiskey in Select US Markets

PBR has launched their own whiskey. Let's keep an open mind and see what is inside this bottle....read more ›

by Carrie Dow Sep 24, 2019
SPONSORED
Drink Nation Store Rectangle
The Master Sommelier Scandal is Now the Subject of a New Investigative Series

The Master Sommelier Scandal is Now the Subject of a New Investigative Series

There's a new investigative series about one of the biggest scandals to ever hit the wine world....read more ›

by The Drink Nation Sep 13, 2019
Using Peas to Make Gin Might Lead to More Environmentally Friendly Spirits, Studies Show

Using Peas to Make Gin Might Lead to More Environmentally Friendly Spirits, Studies Show

Scientists may have discovered a more environmentally friendly way to make one of the world's most popular spi...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Jul 23, 2019
Drink a Classic Cocktail for a Good Cause During Negroni Week, June 24-30

Drink a Classic Cocktail for a Good Cause During Negroni Week, June 24-30

Negroni Week 2019 is June 24-30, so drink this classic cocktail for a good cause....read more ›

by The Drink Nation Jun 19, 2019
What to Do if Your Uber, Lyft, or Cab Driver Ever Strays From Your Destination or Makes You Feel in Danger

What to Do if Your Uber, Lyft, or Cab Driver Ever Strays From Your Destination or Makes You Feel in Danger

If you're taking an Uber, Lyft, or cab and feel unsafe, there are steps you can take to protect yourself....read more ›

by Nina Starner Jun 19, 2019
Behind the Bar: Kat Corbo of The Study & Winner of Speed Rack 2019

Behind the Bar: Kat Corbo of The Study & Winner of Speed Rack 2019

This time on Behind the Bar, we spoke to Kat Corbo of The Study, who recently won Speed Rack 2019....read more ›

by The Drink Nation May 15, 2019
Boston Beer & Dogfish Head Have Merged in a $300 Million Deal

Boston Beer & Dogfish Head Have Merged in a $300 Million Deal

In a huge move for the American craft beer community, Boston Beer and Dogfish Head have agreed to a merger valued at $300 million dollars. ...read more ›

by The Drink Nation May 10, 2019
A New, High-End Blend of Jack Daniel's Whiskey is Now Available in the United States

A New, High-End Blend of Jack Daniel's Whiskey is Now Available in the United States

A new, high-end blend of Jack Daniel's whiskey, known as Jack Daniel's No. 27 Gold, which was previously only ...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Apr 15, 2019
SPONSORED
Drink Nation Home Bar Project Bottom Rectangle 2
View all Articles

Sign up to get weekly drinking news, bar reviews, events and more sent directly to your inbox!

Close