From the
Louisville Courier-Journal's Alex Davis: Fans of Knob Creek bourbon may find their favorite whiskey in short
supply this summer as the brand's bottle warehouses near Clermont, Ky.,
are empty and the next batch of aged whiskey won't be ready until
November.
Bourbon
experts say the looming shortage is somewhat unusual, although brands
such as Knob Creek, which is aged for nine years, are more susceptible
because their distillers must predict demand far in advance.
"It's
very difficult to forecast out nine-year demand," said Kelly Doss,
senior director of U.S. bourbon and whiskey at Beam Global Spirits
& Wine, which makes Knob Creek. "We can only sell what we can
bottle and ship."
Beam
Global, itself part of Fortune Brands, sells about 150,000 cases of
Knob Creek annually, putting it at the top of the company's small batch
collection, but well below Maker's Mark, and its flagship Jim Beam
bourbon which is aged four years.. Doss said none of those brands are
expected to face a shortage this summer.
Beam
recently sent T-shirts emblazoned with "The drought of 2009" to 16,000
Knob Creek fans who registered on the brand's Web site.
The
company also plans to use the shortage as a marketing tool in the
months ahead, playing on the notion that the lack of Knob Creek is
connected to its popularity. A recent company statement announcing the
shortage carried the headline "thanks for nothing" and said the brand
will be "even more popular and profitable once supply is restored."
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