Vancouver, BC

by **Scooby** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 1:12 am

My wife and I plan to visit Vancouver, BC in November and we always like to bring home a nice single malt when we travel. Can anyone give me any suggestions on who has a great scotch selection there?

by **Lawrence** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 7:34 am

There's a Government Liquor store at 41st and Cambie Street that has a good selection. WestVanDave will be able to tell you where else has a good selection.

What time in November, there's a Jim Murray tasting coming up on the 22nd.

by **Scooby** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 2:24 pm

Thanks Lawrence, I'll give it a try. Unfortunately, we will not arrive until Nov 27 so we'll miss the tasting. It does look like Murray will be at Whisky Live in San Francisco next year, and we have tickets, so we'll get a second shot at him.

by **WestVanDave** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 6:47 am

Welcome Scooby - Lawrence has pointed you in the right direction with the main Government Liquor store (actually at 39th & Cambie) - but you may want to do your homework and check out the website for the current inventory:

http://www.bcliquorstores.com/en

Depending on where you end up in Vancouver there are several other "specialty stores" with all of the same stock (Park Royal in West Van, :wink:

for example).

The BCLDB is planning to release some new products on Nov. 25th - following the Nov. 22nd Whisky Tasting event with Jim Murray.

If you are looking for fun night out - check out The Irish Heather and the Shebeen (see the write-up in Whisky Magazine - Issue #49, I believe. Mr. T had also commented on on that article in the Whisky Magazine Forum...

Let me know what part of town you're staying in and I'll put my tour guide hat on and add some additional recommendations.

Enjoy, and remember - there is no bad weather in Vancouver - only inappropriate clothing - dress for rain!!!

Cheers, Dave.

by **Scooby** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 3:30 pm

Thanks Dave, sounds like our timing will be good with the new releases. We haven't finalized our lodging yet, but my wife is strongly leaning toward a B&B in Kitsilano.

I checked out the website and like what I see already for selection, we're a little deprived for variety where I live. The Irish Heather and Shebeen are already on our list, but I'll take any other suggestions you have.

Many thanks!

by **Pascal** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 12:26 am

Dave, your advice helped me as well. I am currently in Vancouver for three days on business, and just a quick search on this forum and I found this post.

I visited the location on Cambie, by 39th... that one is under heavy construction / renovation right now and it's .. well... interesting shall I say, to find one's way around it.

I drove by another store further up on Cambie, going down the hill toward the Cambie bridge, around 7th or thereabouts... It looked decently sized, is that worth a stop as well?

I picked up a few bottles nevertheless, Talisker 18, Bowmore Islay CS (no mention of age, anyone know?), and a bottom shelf McClelland's Islay that I happen to like. :oops:

by **WestVanDave** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 1:03 am

Hi Pascal - I don't know about the 7th & Cambie store - my guess it is one of the average (albeit intact) stores...

If you are downtown - there is a hidden gem on Alberni Street - just west of Thurlow. It is a BCLDB store - but with a better supply than the norm - geared for all of the downtown restaurant trade etc., Ask for Ken - their Whisky specialist.

I was just in there today and can confirm that it is not under renovation - but it is next to the site of the new Shangra La Tower under construction - 61 stories - the biggest in this city...

I can't recall the Bowmore CS age - but would guess it's less than 10 (or else they'd feature it) - guesstimate: 8 years old???

Cheers, Dave.

by **Pascal** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 2:37 am

Thanks for the quick replay and additional information Dave. I'm downtown indeed, at the Sheraton on Burrard. I'll make sure to take a walk over there when I have a minute, it's only 5 blocks away from my hotel.

This is shaping up to be a more expensive trip than originally planned. As usual. :lol:

by **Lawrence** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 3:00 am

Pascal, I wish I'd known you were in town, I was in Vancouver last night and stayed not far away, at the Hyatt on Burrard.

Next time perhaps.

Lawrence

by **Pascal** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 3:22 am

That's what happens with forums like this one. Such a small specialized community, and yet we manage to nearly cross each other walking down the street somewhere on Earth.

I landed here at 11:00am local time, I assume you were gone by then. I rarely have any business out West, and this wasn't planned in advance either.

Now I'm about to head out to find The Irish Heather... I've been around there a few times already but never walked in. We'll see if I make it, or if I end up having Japanese food somewhere on the way...