6 bottles only to Canada - what to take...?

[ABZ12]

A colleague is being repatriated back to the vast barren lands of Canada (Alberta). He has had the pleasure of 4 years indulging in many of our finest products, and is only allowed to return home with 6 bottles of whisky between his returning family members.

His preferences are mainly Speyside, with a hint of Highland. Islay doesn't float his particular boat.

So, what to take, given the limited quantity, and the typically available whiskies in Calgary to avoid double-dipping (standard entry level from Macallan, Highland Park, Glenmorangie, etc... are available, for example).

Total UK price for the 6, upto £500.

Any suggestions gratefully received.

Thanks

alan

[ca_aok]

There's actually a fair bit available in Calgary. Not sure if he's found out about this place yet:
http://www.kensingtonwinemarket.com/

[DavidUK]

I've tasted the new AnCnoc 34yo which should be released fairly soon and it's amazing, so providing it's not too expensive and is released before he has to return, I'd definately recommend that one assuming it won't be available in Canada.

A Glendronach Single Cask bottling if you can find one. The 15yo-21yo bracket retail around £70-£90

Glen Grant Cellar Reserve 1992 is a beautiful whisky and retails around £55

[Malt-Teaser]

Perhaps 6 of the series of 21 Dalmore Constellation?

[Mariner]

Do they ship 750ml bottles towards Canada as well?

Then I'd go for some brands that don't ship 700ml bottles to North America like stuff from certain (smaller) independent bottlers, Bladnoch, maybe stuff from another small distillery... And if you pick sth from an indie label, I suggest to get something that you won't find through official releases like Braeval, Glenburgie, Mortlach, Blair Athol, Lochside etc etc

[mfurman]

You know that there is a limit of 1.15l per person when bringing liquor to Canada?

[portwood]

You know that there is a limit of 1.15l per person when bringing liquor to Canada?

I think he is aware of that:
"... and is only allowed to return home with 6 bottles of whisky between his returning family members"
(as long as there are 3-4 adults, no problem.)

[Pudge72]

Do they ship 750ml bottles towards Canada as well?

Then I'd go for some brands that don't ship 700ml bottles to North America like stuff from certain (smaller) independent bottlers, Bladnoch, maybe stuff from another small distillery... And if you pick sth from an indie label, I suggest to get something that you won't find through official releases like Braeval, Glenburgie, Mortlach, Blair Athol, Lochside etc etc

No shipping to Canada is allowed, alas...

The six bottle are ok, as 'portwood' points out, for four adults travelling, though I don't know if the rules are different for those entering Canada for the first time...though I suppose people flying together could also be treated differently based on how the luggage is processed and how the whisky is packed). They can then still bring back additional bottles, but the roughly 90% duty (if they are entering the country via Ontario) would apply. 'dbk' knows the specifics in greater detail. I recall him mentioning that the duty rate is by province, so if people are entering Canada via Calgary direct, the duty on liquor could be quite a bit lower.

[ca_aok]

Yep, the duty varies by province and is quite cheap in Alberta. It's a 9.09L/person limit, the duty works out to about $8 per bottle plus tax.

But if you enter the country in Ontario, it ends up being almost 100% of the bottle cost. Gotta love it!

[Yello to Mello]

The question should be what Canadian whiskies he should ship back to YOU!

[ABZ12]

Thanks for the comments and link to the shop. I'm leaving the vexatious issue of allowance / duty to my friend, who has cause to return to Calgary quite frequently, and he is confident in this number. Doubtless this will be the time his family are picked out the crowd...

Thankfully we now finally have a decent whisky shop in Aberdeen, and Nick regularly has single cask Glendronachs and BenRiach available, and Duncan Taylor's also isn't too far away. We should therefore be able to source some good bottles in time. I've recently bought the latest 19 yr old Caperdonich from DTC, and it is fantastic.

I wouldn't have thought of either the older Glen Grant (still shuddering at the 5 yr old stuff they foisted on us at the visitor centre couple of years ago) or the older still An Cnoc, so will definitely keep an eye out for them. Blair Athol also a good idea; I liked the f&f I tried recently; style is right and doubt that is available in Canada.

alan