Maker’s Mark bourbon has a customer loyalty program where you become an “Ambassador” simply by signing up. In my opinion, this is one of the best realized type of programs I have encountered.
First of all, when you sign up they put your name on a barrel in one of their rickhouses. If you visit the distillery within 6 months of “your” barrel maturing (7 years) you are able to get a bottle filled from “your” barrel. You also get to hand dip it yourself (Maker’s Mark is known for the distinctive red wax seal over the cap of their bottles.) This may not sound like a big deal if you’re not an aficionado, but it’s pretty cool if you are.
Also, the tour fee is waived for ambassadors.
Also, every year at this time a special gift arrives in the mail. It’s a trinket, but usually well-thought out. One year it was a “scarf” to wrap around the long neck of one of their bottles. Another year it was a “sweater and ear muffs” for you r favorite bottle. This year it was a pair of socks, decorated with the iconic Maker’s bottle. The current offering is causing quite a bit of angst on the Ambassador’s Facebook page. Folks that haven’t received them yet are quite distraught. Happily, mine arrived today.
Any other Doper’s in the program?