The cheapest country in the world to buy whisky?

[kljostad]

The inspiration behind this thread is a personal experience. It seems that whatever country you go to; there is always a country across the border that sells cheaper alcohol. It never fails! You should think one country is the cheapest, but I have failed to find out witch.

So I started wondering: Witch country in the world sells whisky the cheapest? Where should we go to get best value for money?

To make it a bit more scientific, I have picked two fairly well known whiskies of the same brand within two different price ranges to use as “guinea pigs”. The reason behind picking these two is that they should be available all over the globe, and we need that for comparability. It’s got nothing to do with my personal taste. It would also be helpful if we could use the same currency, so my suggestion is Euros.

The two guinea pigs are:
- Glenfiddich Single Malt 12 Years Old
- Glenfiddich 30 Years Old

And I can start off. In Norway, where we have a state owned wine and spirit monopoly, these would cost:
- Glenfiddich Single Malt 12 Years Old: 45,9 €
- Glenfiddich 30 Years Old: 207,0 €

[Di Blasi]

Is that 30y available all over the world? I would suggest adding Glenmorangie 10y, as it's a standard bottling, (and very good!) found I'm sure in most markets.
But I would guess that Scotland would be the cheapest place to buy whisky, as it's the origin, with no exchange rates to deal with or travelling to pay for, sales, promotions and discounted prices are offered; (in Norway sales are illegal, although a discounted price can be found, it won't be advertised or first hand general knowledge).

[kljostad]

I picked it because it was a different price range.

And I am not sure when it comes to your assumption when it comes to Scotland. I bought a bottle of Port Ellen for £120 at the Islay Whisky Shop a few weeks ago, and found the same bottle at my local Vinmonopol for just under £100!

[Di Blasi]

Good point kljostad, about the various price ranges, I didn't think of that.
Which Port Ellen did you get here for less than 100£???

[kljostad]

If my eyes did not deceive me, it was an Annual Release (witch is the one I bought), and it weighed in at 1200 NOK. They had it at my local Vinmonopol at Nesodden.

[Di Blasi]

Lucky you indeed! When did you buy it at your local Vinmonopolet? That was the 6th Release, and it sold out within days of it being released in early November! About 40 or so bottles came to Norway, costing 1400kr which is indeed a deal, considering it's about 120£, so the exchange rate made it the same price.

[lambda]

I noticed that the deviation is rather high. I checked two stores here in the Netherlands which, for me, represent a somewhat cheap and a somewhat expensive store. Price is in the following range:

glenfiddich: 23-27 euro
glenfiddich 30: 143-226 euro

So the first is what you can get it for if you look around; the second number is probably more in the line for what you pay at a random shop.

[Di Blasi]

The one good thing about shopping for whisky here in Norway is that we don't have to shop around, checking various prices at various shops. One good thing is whatever the price is, that's it!

[lbacha]

Just plug the whisky you are looking for into this search engine and it will give you prices all over the world, I have the pro version which gives you all the results but this link is for the free version. This might make this alot easier for you.

http://www.wine-searcher.com/wine-select.lml

I know it sais wine search but it also has whisky, the only drawback is if a retailer doesn't update his online database then it can be inaccurate.

Len

[les taylor]

In the UK

Glenfiddich 12 £22.90
Glenfiddich 30 £115.


Hope that helps.

[Di Blasi]

Good one lbacha, thanks for the reminder. I've used that before, it's been awhile, I'll have to check it out again.

[kljostad]

lbacha, that was a great link! A lot of useful information.

However, most of the hits are from the US, and a lot of countries are missing.

I know you call it the world series even though the rest of the world i excluded , but the point here is to find the cheapest country in the world.

[Deactivated Member]

But I would guess that Scotland would be the cheapest place to buy whisky....

You'd guess wrong.

I know you call it the world series even though the rest of the world i excluded....

It's called the World Series because it was originally sponsored by a newspaper (or maybe a magazine) called The World. At the time, there were two independent and rival leagues, and the fans were clamoring for a post-season confrontation between the two champions. As is usually the case, it took someone putting up enough money to make it worthwhile for all involved. The Boston team (not yet called the Red Sox, but the same franchise) was the first World Series champion, and had a nice little dynasty going, until that $#$%$!! Harry Frazee....

Anyway, the rest of the world is not excluded. All of the best players in the world are in the Major Leagues.

[killerwhale]

it's Canada! British Columbia to be exact...... oh wait, sorry just a pipe dream.....
though perhaps Canada could win the 'most expensive' place award????

[pkt77242]

lbacha,

I would like to thank you for sharing the wine-searcher website . On the other hand my wife is probably feeling quite the opposite.

Sean

[Di Blasi]

But I would guess that Scotland would be the cheapest place to buy whisky....

You'd guess wrong.

I know you call it the world series even though the rest of the world i excluded....

It's called the World Series because it was originally sponsored by a newspaper (or maybe a magazine) called The World. At the time, there were two independent and rival leagues, and the fans were clamoring for a post-season confrontation between the two champions. As is usually the case, it took someone putting up enough money to make it worthwhile for all involved. The Boston team (not yet called the Red Sox, but the same franchise) was the first World Series champion, and had a nice little dynasty going, until that $#$%$!! Harry Frazee....

Anyway, the rest of the world is not excluded. All of the best players in the world are in the Major Leagues.

What would be the right guess than????????
Thanks for the World Series story, is it true???? Sounds good, but now I know how to answer next time!!

[Drrich1965]

It seems there is a fair amount if information on the next that says clams the world series story of coming from the World Magazine is a myth.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Series

Not a great source, but look at where it is cited from.

[Deactivated Member]

Well, I'll be. I usually have a good nose for myth (like terroir, oxidation, etc ). This bears further investigation. I suppose you'll be saying next that the US isn't the cheapest place in the world to buy whisky!

[Deactivated Member]

My experience of the cheapest place is definitely Abu Dhabi.
No, you can't buy any alcohol to take IN to the country, but if you are on a flight which passes through, then the Abu Dhabi Duty Free shop has to be a contender.
Some years ago I flew to Bali, stopping at AD for an hour or so.
The wonderful Glengoyne in my personal collection cost just under 5 GBP

[BubbaC]

I don't know about world, but I know West Virginia has some great prices, in comparison to Ohio. Haven't really seen Glenfiddich 30, but I can give several comparisons. Glenfiddich 12- 42.00 (OH) 36.00(Wva) Glenmorangie 10 51.00(OH) 39.99(WVa) Lagavulin 16 78.00(OH) 56.99(WVa) I am going back next week to see if they have more in, they were out of the Lag last time I was there.

[Di Blasi]

My experience of the cheapest place is definitely Abu Dhabi.
No, you can't buy any alcohol to take IN to the country, but if you are on a flight which passes through, then the Abu Dhabi Duty Free shop has to be a contender.
Some years ago I flew to Bali, stopping at AD for an hour or so.
The wonderful Glengoyne in my personal collection cost just under 5 GBP

Is that a mini?? Ha ha, joking, yes, definitely the best buy thus far. Perhaps worth a journey through just to shop whisky!

[Di Blasi]

It seems there is a fair amount if information on the next that says clams the world series story of coming from the World Magazine is a myth.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Series

Not a great source, but look at where it is cited from.

Thanks for clearing that up Drrich1965! Whew, I could've made a fool of myself! And to think Mr. T is wrong!! What's this world, (or at least this forum!!) coming to??

[Muskrat Portage]

In Ontario Canada, where we have a government monopoly, the LCBO website gives these prices:

Glenfiddich Single Malt 12 Years Old 27.70 Euros ($42.65 Can )
Glenfiddich 30 Years Old 227.325 Euros ($349.95 Can )

Like Di Blasi, I figure Scotland should be cheapest, at least for us once the VAT is taken off. I would guess that it will probably turn out to be Japan for some reason.

Muskrat

[Wave]

At Binny's in Chicago, Ill.

Glenfiddich 12yr Old Special Reserve
750ML $26.99/btl (20.18EUR, 13.73GBP)

Glenfiddich 30yr Old
750ML $249.99/btl (186.92EUR, 127.21GBP)


Cheers!

[lwknigh]

At Binny's in Chicago, Ill.

Glenfiddich 12yr Old Special Reserve
750ML $26.99/btl (20.18EUR, 13.73GBP)

Glenfiddich 30yr Old
750ML $249.99/btl (186.92EUR, 127.21GBP)


Cheers!

Wine and Liquor Depot,Costa Mesa California

Glenfiddich 12yr Special Reserve
750ML $21.95/btl(16.41EUR,11.16GBP)

Glenfiddich 30yr
750ML $214.95/btl(160.70EUR,109.35GBP)
Cheers

[Aidan]

In Ireland, Glenfiddich 30 is 230 euro - I know for sure that we're not the cheapest in Europe.

[andy-c-]

....

[Muskrat Portage]

....

What? Tattiecat got your tongue?
Muskrat

[Deactivated Member]

My experience of the cheapest place is definitely Abu Dhabi.
No, you can't buy any alcohol to take IN to the country, but if you are on a flight which passes through, then the Abu Dhabi Duty Free shop has to be a contender.
Some years ago I flew to Bali, stopping at AD for an hour or so.
The wonderful Glengoyne in my personal collection cost just under 5 GBP

Is that a mini?? Ha ha, joking, yes, definitely the best buy thus far. Perhaps worth a journey through just to shop whisky!

No mini, it's even a 75cl export version and not 70cl!
MT

[Deactivated Member]

...And it's aged in wood.

[Mr Fjeld]

Isn't Germany one of the cheapest markets for spirit in Europe?

(and if I'm not mistaken I think Norway is one of the most expensive markets in the world....)

[Ganga]

Wine and Liquor Depot is in Van Nuys and you can't trust the website. Hi-Time Wine Cellars is in Costa Mesa.

I have seen the Glenfiddich 12 for under $20 and as high as $35 all around the greater LA market.

It has been my experience that you won't find a country that is the cheapest for everything; I haven't even found a store that can make that claim. I believe the "research" performed here will show that in somethings Scotland/UK is the cheapest, while the US is cheaper in other areas, and yet other countries are cheaper for other whiskies.

I have also noted that everyone has made the presumption that we are refering to scotch whisky.

[mikeymad]

Yeah, it really seems like lower priced items are much cheeper in the US for us, but higher end items are much better (most of the time) priced for us to import.

Example: Just got the Laddie Legacy 5 from RMW for $310USD, it just hit the market in the US for $460USD

Example2: Dalmore 12yo from RMW $46USD, it is just about $20USD here.

Cheers,

[WestVanDave]

At Binny's in Chicago, Ill.

Glenfiddich 12yr Old Special Reserve
750ML $26.99/btl (20.18EUR, 13.73GBP)

Glenfiddich 30yr Old
750ML $249.99/btl (186.92EUR, 127.21GBP)


Cheers!

Wine and Liquor Depot,Costa Mesa California

Glenfiddich 12yr Special Reserve
750ML $21.95/btl(16.41EUR,11.16GBP)

Glenfiddich 30yr
750ML $214.95/btl(160.70EUR,109.35GBP)
Cheers

Here are some Canadian extremes:

In B.C.:

Glenfiddich 12 (Special Reserve) - 750 ml = $42.99 Cdn ($37.60 US)
Glenfiddich 30 - 750 ml = $425.44 Cdn ($372.25 US)


In Alberta:

Glenfiddich 12 (Special Reserve) - 750 ml = $30 Cdn ($26.25 US)
Glenfiddich 30 - 750 ml = $215 Cdn ($188.12 US)


Note: Flights from Vancouver to Calgary ~ $200 Cdn - round trip!!!

[irishwhiskeychaser]

Here are some Canadian extremes:

In B.C.:

Glenfiddich 12 (Special Reserve) - 750 ml = $42.99 Cdn ($37.60 US)
Glenfiddich 30 - 750 ml = $425.44 Cdn ($372.25 US)


In Alberta:

Glenfiddich 12 (Special Reserve) - 750 ml = $30 Cdn ($26.25 US)
Glenfiddich 30 - 750 ml = $215 Cdn ($188.12 US)


Note: Flights from Vancouver to Calgary ~ $200 Cdn - round trip!!!

Wow that is mad.... well worth a trip if you can stash 6-12 bottles home with you