Any Scotch drinkers in the house?

[Ben_in_Canada]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

YYC Duty Free prices suck big time. A few times, I noticed some spirits priced higher than they are in local stores and that's after the GST.

The best prices on Scotch in the world are actually in US online stores, especially in the states with no or low state taxes. The differences with our pricing of the same bottles are incredible sometimes.

I've been hitting up normal liquor stores rather than the duty free on my last few trips down south. Haven't bought any liquor duty free on any of my last 7 trips across the border. Just no savings anymore.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by Ben_in_Canada

I've been hitting up normal liquor stores rather than the duty free on my last few trips down south. Haven't bought any liquor duty free on any of my last 7 trips across the border. Just no savings anymore.

Are the prices for scotch better in the USA? I have a buddy who owns a liquor store in Michigan and he sent me a list of bottles that he can order along with prices and I've been spot checking some bottles and for the generally the local prices are on par or slightly cheaper. Some of the more expensive bottles appear to be cheaper in Michigan though.

I was hoping to get some good deals from him but it doesn't look promising.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

Are the prices for scotch better in the USA? I have a buddy who owns a liquor store in Michigan and he sent me a list of bottles that he can order along with prices and I've been spot checking some bottles and for the generally the local prices are on par or slightly cheaper. Some of the more expensive bottles appear to be cheaper in Michigan though.

I was hoping to get some good deals from him but it doesn't look promising.

Prices are usually pretty hit or miss based on personal experience. More hit than miss though.

EDIT: Sorry, I misread and meant my personal experience with US duty free. You might save a few bucks, but it's not amazing deals at a duty free.

Asia duty free is a different story.

Rather than focusing on things you like/already have, why not check to see if he can get stuff to you that is notoriously difficult to obtain in Calgary? Makes for a beautiful personal collection regardless of whether you drink it or not.

Frustrates me to no end that my fav wines are getting harder to find (discontinued frequently or sold far too expensive) by many places in Calgary. I try to stock up when I find it.

Brand:
Tbilivino: Kvanchakara, Oyeleshi (sp?), Kindsmaruli
I settle for Mildiani brand instead

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

Are the prices for scotch better in the USA? ...

Yes. Pretty much everywhere and on pretty much everything.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

P
Rather than focusing on things you like/already have, why not check to see if he can get stuff to you that is notoriously difficult to obtain in Calgary? Makes for a beautiful personal collection regardless of whether you drink it or not.

He can get me a Hibiki which was mentioned a few posts ago but only the 12 year. Price is $65USD.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

He can get me a Hibiki which was mentioned a few posts ago but only the 12 year. Price is $65USD.

Even with double that money, you can't buy it here. It's an enjoyable bottle of whisky IMO and a wonderfully beautiful bottle to have in a collection as well.

I personally am ok as I have a full bottle of 17, but maybe there are others who are curious?

[rain_e]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

Asia duty free is a different story.

I never buy Scotch in Asia duty free. It's way overpriced compared to liquor stores here.

Cheapest duty free for liquor I've found is Mexico/Jamaica/Dominican/Etc.

[ernie]

Originally Posted by rain_e

I never buy Scotch in Asia duty free. It's way overpriced compared to liquor stores here.

Cheapest duty free for liquor I've found is Mexico/Jamaica/Dominican/Etc.

The 17 year old Hibiki I bought was the equivalent of $70 USD at the Narita duty free. Of course I never had a chance to actually get to any other liquor store. I'm happy I got it for what I did.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by rain_e

I never buy Scotch in Asia duty free. It's way overpriced compared to liquor stores here.

Cheapest duty free for liquor I've found is Mexico/Jamaica/Dominican/Etc.

No idea what happened there. Brain fart. I think I was thinking about things you could get there that aren't available in YYC, but I'm not sure. Hibiki 17 sure is a big wtf moment when you compare Narita to US sites though.

Originally Posted by ernie

The 17 year old Hibiki I bought was the equivalent of $70 USD at the Narita duty free. Of course I never had a chance to actually get to any other liquor store. I'm happy I got it for what I did.

Sounds about right. Mine was purchased for about $55 USD 2+ years ago (stronger dollar helps I guess). I have no idea why some US sites are currently selling it at around $110-$150. >_<

[Domoic]

Originally Posted by ernie

The 17 year old Hibiki I bought was the equivalent of $70 USD at the Narita duty free. Of course I never had a chance to actually get to any other liquor store. I'm happy I got it for what I did.

I got the 21 year last month when I was at Narita. I think it was $150 USD.

But I agree, it is not the price, it is the rarity. Even my scotch source here in Manhattan (Ambassador on 2nd Ave), have never even seen it before (they have the 17 in stock). And these guys know more about scotch and whisky than anyone I have ever met.

It is the highlight of my collection.

[rain_e]

Originally Posted by Domoic

I got the 21 year last month when I was at Narita. I think it was $150 USD.

But I agree, it is not the price, it is the rarity. Even my scotch source here in Manhattan (Ambassador on 2nd Ave), have never even seen it before (they have the 17 in stock). And these guys know more about scotch and whisky than anyone I have ever met.

It is the highlight of my collection.

World's Best Blended Whisky at the 2014 World Whiskies Awards. Lucky guy to have that one at home.

[Domoic]

Originally Posted by rain_e

World's Best Blended Whisky at the 2014 World Whiskies Awards. Lucky guy to have that one at home.

Interesting! I did not know that...thanks!

[TheCommodoreAfro]

Originally Posted by rain_e

I never buy Scotch in Asia duty free. It's way overpriced compared to liquor stores here.

Cheapest duty free for liquor I've found is Mexico/Jamaica/Dominican/Etc.

I disagree - Hong Kong is good value for whiskies in particular.

[TheCommodoreAfro]

And since we're on Japanese whisky. Newest thing I'm hunting for - 2013 Sheery Cask Yamazaki - named the best in the world.
http://time.com/3555773/worlds-best-...ky-bible-2015/

[rain_e]

If you do come across this in town please post here as I'd like to get a bottle. Even if someone sees this while traveling and doesn't mind bringing an extra bottle back I would definately take it and pay a premium if needed.

[Top Shelf]

Originally Posted by Top Shelf

Anyone ever been to the Crowfoot Scotch Whisky Festival?

http://www.crowfootliquor.com/events...hisky-festival

I think we are going to try it out. Wanted to do the Willow Park one, but that one is in the middle of the week and more expensive, plus Crowfoot is much closer

So I ended up going to this event last Friday in crowfoot. It was my first one, so didn't really know what to expect.

It was awesome! I highly recommend a tasting event for anyone new to Scotch. They had 14 different stations based on distillery, with anywhere from 4-9 different ones per station. I think I tried about 25? Highlight of the night was the 40 year old Glenfarclas. So smooth but yet really deep flavors.

We got 15% off in the store after, so picked up some Aberlour A'bunadh and Glencairn glasses.

They also had a chef in the back and the food was surprisingly good. Overall really great value for 60$ and I learned a ton.

Next up is the Scotchy, Scotchy, Scotch event on the 20th

http://www.crowfootliquor.com/events...scotchy-scotch

[CofR]

Having a glass of Johnnie Walker Red tonight, bought a bottle of it yesterday... Don't enjoy it as much as any other scotch that I've tried, admittedly that is a very limited amount though.

[DoubleF]

I've been enjoying my Macallan 10. Happy my stomach can handle it.

I tried VSOP last night and it was great as well. What do you guys think about VSOP and Cognac vs Whisky/Scotch?

[Derek Sutton]

So we usually buy the Uncle a bottle of Dalwhinnie Scotch for Christmas, from the duty free where it is under $40. We won't be gettin gdown to the US before Christmas this year and I see it is around $80 here. Is there anything comparable to Dalwhinnie that is cheaper then $80? I don't know anything about scotch just that that is what he likes.

[DoubleK]

Picked this up in Arizona. Haven't cracked it yet.