Did I get ripped off?

[Sir Sherry]

I live in Tokyo and went to Costco the other day. On the shelf was a bottle of 19yr old Macallan. I paid 5900 Yen ($50.00 U.S.) I haven't tried it yet but thought either I got a great deal or someone pulled a fast one on me. Costco is a discount bulk store, but 19yr old Macallan!

[Di Blasi]

Is it good??? Do you have Costco in Japan?? Is it the bottling for Costco? I think that sounds fair, very fair!! Remember, Costco buys and sells in bulk, thus keeping the prices down, (supposedly anyway!) so usually prices are good, but you still must be careful.

[Di Blasi]

Oh, did you have to buy a case to get that deal?!!!

[shoganai]

Sounds like a pretty good deal to me. 18 year old Macallan runs over $100 where I come from.

Do you have any more details on the bottle?

Doesn't Trader Joe's sell some Macallan too?

[Muskrat Portage]

Sir Sherry:
In Ontario, a 17 yo Macallan Fine Oak OB is $209.15 the 18 yo OB is $280.15. Looks like a good deal from my side of the Far Eastern pond.
Muskrat

[pkt77242]

I have heard that it is ok not quite as good as the 18yo OB but solid for the price. I also remember someone on this forum saying that they had had it before.
So you probably didn't get ripped off.

Sean

[Deactivated Member]

Let's not forget that not all casks are equal, and if Macallan was willing to let these go to Costco for a reasonable price, they probably didn't consider them suitable for use in their own 18yo. Doesn't mean this isn't a good bottling, just that you probably ought not to expect it to be up to that level.

[Drrich1965]

Let's not forget that not all casks are equal, and if Macallan was willing to let these go to Costco for a reasonable price, they probably didn't consider them suitable for use in their own 18yo. Doesn't mean this isn't a good bottling, just that you probably ought not to expect it to be up to that level.

Or, just too different a profile to include in their vatting.

[Sir Sherry]

It is not quite as good as the 18 as I remember but pretty darn good. It is a bottling especially for Costco (Kirkland brand, Bottled by Alexander Murray). At that price, I think I need to buy another bottle or five.

[Badmonkey]

Sounds like you got a great deal. What else is Costco stocking in terms of whisky these days? Costco in Canada isn't allowed to sell alcohol, even in Alberta.

[les taylor]

Definitely Buy. Thats a 19 year old Macallan for £25. The Macallan 18 in the UK is £60. Buy a case.

[martin grant]

Sir Sherry, at those prices you have to fill your boots!
I need to go to Costco in Edinburgh this week, and I can only hope they have a deal as good as that!

[vitara7]

costco in edinburgh have it for £35

[martin grant]

costco in edinburgh have it for £35

is that plus VAT???

[Mustardhead]

I've tried this stuff and it's pretty good. I'd certainly buy it for £35.

[Deactivated Member]

ive had 2 bottles of this

worth a buy for the price imho


ash .

[Steve Rush]

It's a gamble of what they get and when they get in, due to whatever deal they get on a bulk load order but Costco do get some good bottles in. The store I use in North London have had many dream drams at semi dream prices, including Lagavulin 16 yr and some decent bourbons like Makers Mark. Last month managed to get a couple bottles of Glen Ord 12 for £17.99 each.

[Di Blasi]

costco doesn't sell alcohol in New York or Maryland

I remember there are some funny rules in Maryland! I was in a Safeway years back and when I told my aunt and uncle who I was visiting I was going to see the "wine aisle," they informed me only one Safeway per county was allowed to sell alcohol, and that we were not in one of them, or something like that.

[WestVanDave]

every week, another sale on different stuff. bought six bottles in the last two months...must...control...myself.

...L-S-D, you need to control yourself because???

[Di Blasi]

yep, sounds like the maryland I know.

I'm in silver spring which is not that far from wheaton, in case you wanted to know.

you should know, next time you visit them, stop by the county liquor store- best prices anywhere on their sale items. they are selling dalmore 21 for $79 and recently had HP18 on sale for 75.

http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/Apps/ ... ecials.cfm

every week, another sale on different stuff. bought six bottles in the last two months...must...control...myself.

My aunt and uncle are in Wheaton, so I'll for sure take your suggestions next time I visit lawschooldrunk, thanks!

[TheTross]

Have got a bottle of Costco's Macallan 19yo at home. It's certainly not bad for the price!

Some notes I wrote about it:

Nose: Caramelly, fruity and sweet to begin with, with a bit of honey and spice. Biscuit, nut and cereal/malt soon appear. Some chocolate-orange notes develop over time, with the whole becoming almost liqueur-like. A slight touch of mint drifts in and out every so often.

Palate: Rather oily - almost chewy, in fact - and very sweet. Oddly reminiscent of buttercup syrup? Certainly like a sweet medicine at any rate. Malt and sweet fruit on the relatively long finish, which becomes slightly drying.

So yeah, not a rip-off at all. Wouldn't buy another bottle though once this one's , it's just too sweet for me.

And also, I can't imagine supermarkets not being allowed to sell alcohol! I guess I'm lucky(?) I live in a country geared for alcofrolics, what with supermarkets having 24 hour alcohol licences and all