Duty Free Update

[Nabil]

OMG, WTF?!, LFMAO,

Here's what I saw at the Duty Free on the Thousand Islands Canadian side store:

Ardbeg 84$ (LCBO 99$)
Wiser's 18 44$ (LCBO 50$)
Highland Park 12 55$ (LCBO 59$)

This place was just one big ripoff. I'll let you know what I find on the way back on the US side. Basically, on the canadian side they are knocking a few bucks off to give you a "bin sale" at the LCBO! What a bunch of jokers.

[portwood]

Maybe its duty free but they're not giving up the HST or any of the other taxes

If alcohol was truly tax free at these shops it would have to sell at <50% of retail.

[Nabil]

Will be crossing the border in a few hours...will post the latest finds with prices this afternoon.

Florida is a total wash for scotch...too hot there for there to be a decent market. Prices were often HIGHER than in Ontario.

Nabil

[mfurman]

Will be crossing the border in a few hours...will post the latest finds with prices this afternoon.

Florida is a total wash for scotch...too hot there for there to be a decent market. Prices were often HIGHER than in Ontario.

Nabil

I did not think that prices can be higher that at LCBO
Your theory about impact of outside temperature on whisky prices does not seem to work well in California.

[Nabil]

Just got back from Florida, crossing at Thousand Islands.

All in CDN for 1L
Ardbeg Ten is indeed increased to 59$
Balvenie DW 12 yo 41$
Ardmore Traditional Cask 44$
Glenmorangie Original 40$
Macallan Select Oak (Fine Oak "light") 54$
Caol Ila 12yo 51$
Glenmorangie Lasanta 12yo 49$

Not the best selection, but the absolute best prices. I was really torn between Ardmore, Caol Ila, and Glenmo. I went with Glenmo Original, because I like it and pound for pound is the best deal. I'm essentially getting a 750 ml bottling for 30$ CDN! That is OVER 50% off, and I'm getting a litre of it. Summer is coming and that is a great summer dram!

As for California, well, have you ever been to Central Coast and Northern California? It gets cold and misty in the summer quite often, warming up in the afternoon. Now what other country does that remind you of? The perfect the state to market scotch. Now by comparison, I guarantee you that Texas and Florida sell less scotch per capita!

[mfurman]

...
As for California, well, have you ever been to Central Coast and Northern California? It gets cold and misty in the summer quite often, warming up in the afternoon. Now what other country does that remind you of? The perfect the state to market scotch. Now by comparison, I guarantee you that Texas and Florida sell less scotch per capita!

I go to SF Bay area at least twice a year and I am certain that you agree that it is warmer than S-W Ontario in January-March It may never be as warm as Florida but whisky prices in Southern California are low too (comparing with Florida)

Good deal on Caol Ila 10YO (although I once bought it at one of the European airports for an equivalent of C$30)

[Zunak]

Just got back from Florida, crossing at Thousand Islands.

All in CDN for 1L
Ardbeg Ten is indeed increased to 59$
Balvenie DW 12 yo 41$
Ardmore Traditional Cask 44$
Glenmorangie Original 40$
Macallan Select Oak (Fine Oak "light") 54$
Caol Ila 12yo 51$
Glenmorangie Lasanta 12yo 49$

Not the best selection, but the absolute best prices. I was really torn between Ardmore, Caol Ila, and Glenmo. I went with Glenmo Original, because I like it and pound for pound is the best deal. I'm essentially getting a 750 ml bottling for 30$ CDN! That is OVER 50% off, and I'm getting a litre of it. Summer is coming and that is a great summer dram!

As for California, well, have you ever been to Central Coast and Northern California? It gets cold and misty in the summer quite often, warming up in the afternoon. Now what other country does that remind you of? The perfect the state to market scotch. Now by comparison, I guarantee you that Texas and Florida sell less scotch per capita!

Not really "absolute best prices"... While some products are incredible deals (Laphroaig 10 was $33 last week at Duty Free Americas, over 60% off). You can usually find even better deals in non duty free shops in the US. Case in point the Laphroaig 18 you saw, that would have been over 68% savings, Cardhu 12 is $43, (originally sold here for $200 marked down and sold out for $165).The very best deal at duty free, aside from the Laphroaig 10 sale, would have been the Caol Ila 12. It sells for $86 at Kensington after taxes for a 750ml, is not even available here, and hasn't been since 2009. It still shows up in inventory for $59.20 but will never come back at that price. BTW if you really like Glenmorangie a really nice gift pack (750ml with 2 etched glasses) is available in US private stores in NY for as low as $33

[Nabil]

I do like Caol Ila 12, and would've bought either it or the Ardmore, but my peat collection is quite sufficient and doesn't deplete itself as fast. I wanted something I would actually drink this summer!

As for "absolute", I don't mean in absolute terms . You're right, you can get better prices in the local shops in the US, not in those volumes, but that is a rarity. Cardhu is priced just plain stupidly and the LCBO just doesn't know how to climb down now that local shops in the US sell the same product for 42$.

Anyone travelling to the US from various entry points should feel welcome to update this thread for frequent travellers.

[Mr Tattie Heid]

I go to SF Bay area at least twice a year and I am certain that you agree that it is warmer than S-W Ontario in January-March

"The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.'' --often attributed (apparently spuriously) to Mark Twain

[Zunak]

Just spotted the Glenmorangie 18 at Duty Free Americas for $99.95.