Rising prices of Laphroaig 15 and 30

[Bulkington]

At a Laphroaig tasting recently here in NYC, the distillery manager assured us that Laphroaig 30 would be available in the states through 2008, and yet Park Ave. Liquor is asking $300 for it now. That seems outrageous (even for them), especially considering I just bought a bottle for $220. But despite the assurance, it does seem to be scarce (perhaps I should buy the one other bottle at $220 I know of?)--Laphraig 15, too. Following a link to the Wine Specialists in the "premium scotch" thread in this forum, I browsed through lots of impressive prices until I came to Laphroaig 15, for which they're asking $100. Are these early signs of a coming trend?

[Ryguy]

I have already heard from a local store in Boston, MA that the prices on the the Laphroaig 15 and Laphroaig 30 will both be going up. It's probably safe to say that we can expect an increase of some sort on almost everything from Laphroaig. So I grabbed a bottle of each (15 yr for $55), and (30 yr for $250) while I could.

[Deactivated Member]

Given the freefall of the US dollar, it's really a wonder that prices of scotch whisky haven't skyrocketed more than they have. I should think that everything would be a minimum of 25% more than four or five years ago.

[kildalton]

Is it a mere rumor or Laphroaig 15 is gonna to get discontinued/replaced?

[M!KE]

If you watch the "Laphroaig Live" video on the Laphroaig website there is a discussion relating to the newly released 27 year old. Someone asks, "are there any casks in the distillery older than 27y.o. that may be released in the future", the reply was that previous releases of the 30 and 40y.o. bottlings took away most of the old casks. However, the distillery manager stated that they did have some casks set aside for the distillery's bicentennial in 8 years time. (This statement is made 33 mins into the video).
It therefore seems unlikely that there will be any more 30y.o produced, this would account for the rising prices of the 30.

In the UK, Waitrose is currently selling the 15 for £25 per bottle (normally £35).

I was lucky enough to visit Islay earlier this year and picked up a couple of bottles of the 30 during my tour of the distillery.

This site claims to have 22 bottles of the 30 available for £175 per bottle.

http://www.bbr.com/US/db/product/62969B/Laphroaig-30-Year-Old?ID=null

M!KE

[Mr Fjeld]

As a result of increasing demand from old markets as well as emerging markets - especially in some of the BRIC countries such as Russia, China and India - the prices are bound to go up. The prestigious and expensive ones even more so I'm afraid.

Add the above factors to the fact that Laphroaig 30 is being replaced by a younger single malt and hey presto the price goes up even more. The older the better is the mantra in premium market segments.

I won't buy Laphroaig 30 at all but that has to do with the cost of it where I live: A cool USD 645,- /£ 325,- ..........

[Lawrence]

I think Mr. T has nailed about the US$ vs the GBP and dwindling stocks of older whiskies. Even the LQC has increased in price.

[Lawrence]

what did all of you pay for your laphroaig 15 and do you see it around as readily as before?

Some stores in California have it on sale for $60....

and those same stores have the 30 for $200

[ResIpsa539]

what did all of you pay for your laphroaig 15 and do you see it around as readily as before?

Some stores in California have it on sale for $60....

and those same stores have the 30 for $200

Really, the 30 for $200? Where abouts?

[Lawrence]

Try these people;

http://www.vintagewines.biz/indivprod.c ... rl/pid_543

these are a little higher;

http://www.klwines.com
http://www.shoppersvineyeard.com
http://www.binnys.com
http://www.hitimewine.net


Lawrence

[ResIpsa539]

Try these people;

http://www.vintagewines.biz/indivprod.c ... rl/pid_543

these are a little higher;

http://www.klwines.com
http://www.shoppersvineyeard.com
http://www.binnys.com
http://www.hitimewine.net


Lawrence

Much obliged. I knew about the last 4 in your list...haven't checked out Vintagewines yet. Thanks!

[Lawrence]

Alan, let us know how you make out, I only found out about these four from others here on the forum. It's worked very well.....

Lawrence

[shoganai]

PA still has bottles of the 15 for $57. I have been grabbing one every so often since hearing it was discontinued.

I won't tell you what they were selling the 30 for last summer...

[shoganai]

At a Laphroaig tasting recently here in NYC, the distillery manager assured us that Laphroaig 30 would be available in the states through 2008,

I was told the same thing at the Philadelphia Whisky Festival back in November. I don't remember who was representing Laphroaig (I don't think it was the distillery manager, but maybe it was) but I believe his statement was along the lines of "we have enough stock of the 30 to at least get us through 2008".

[Lawrence]

They say much the same in the most recent issue of the Malt Advocate (I think) but add it will run out. The USA has the best supply but I don't think they counted of the WM forum members buying it all!

[shoganai]

They say much the same in the most recent issue of the Malt Advocate (I think) but add it will run out. The USA has the best supply but I don't think they counted of the WM forum members buying it all!

Yes, yes. I have a couple of spares of each which should provide some nice trading fodder in a few years. Not to change the subject but has anyone tried the new 17? Has it even been released yet?

[Lawrence]

Do you mean the Vintage 1989 17yo? If so it was released for the Islay festival in 2007 and I've tried it and it was simply supurbe, I bought two bottles and drank one and one is for keeping. I understand that it is all sold out.

[shoganai]

Do you mean the Vintage 1989 17yo? If so it was released for the Islay festival in 2007 and I've tried it and it was simply supurbe, I bought two bottles and drank one and one is for keeping. I understand that it is all sold out.

Hmmm...I guess I'm not really sure what a mean. I was referring to whichever 17yo "replaced" the 15. I haven't seen anything in the states.

[jimidrammer]

Do you mean the Vintage 1989 17yo? If so it was released for the Islay festival in 2007 and I've tried it and it was simply supurbe, I bought two bottles and drank one and one is for keeping. I understand that it is all sold out.

Hmmm...I guess I'm not really sure what a mean. I was referring to whichever 17yo "replaced" the 15. I haven't seen anything in the states.

The only reference I have seen is this excerpt from John Hansell at Malt Advocate back in September '07:


"As for Laphroaig in the US, 15 yo will be replaced by an 18 yo in July/August 2008 and 30 yo will be replaced by a 25 yo (which was partly aged in Oloroso Sherry casks) in late 2008."

[shoganai]

Ahhh...that's what I was thinking of. Could have sworn it was a 17. Oh well. Thanks.

[wlfe]

just saw the 15 in a store near me for $53... definitely gonna pick up a bottle in the near future.

[Ryguy]

just saw the 15 in a store near me for $53... definitely gonna pick up a bottle in the near future.

At that price, if in fact you like it, I'd pick up 2 bottles. I just can't seem to find it anywhere around here.

Last time I saw one in Boston it was going for $72.

[Secesh]

just saw the 15 in a store near me for $53... definitely gonna pick up a bottle in the near future.

At that price, if in fact you like it, I'd pick up 2 bottles. I just can't seem to find it anywhere around here.

Last time I saw one in Boston it was going for $72.

The NH state stores have plenty of the 15. The current price is $58.

[Ryguy]

just saw the 15 in a store near me for $53... definitely gonna pick up a bottle in the near future.

At that price, if in fact you like it, I'd pick up 2 bottles. I just can't seem to find it anywhere around here.

Last time I saw one in Boston it was going for $72.

The NH state stores have plenty of the 15. The current price is $58.

Thanks Secesh!! Last time I was down, they were almost completely out of everything from Laphroaig. Sounds like a trip to Portsmouth is due..and very soon. Thanks!

[Secesh]

The NH state stores have plenty of the 15. The current price is $58.

Thanks Secesh!! Last time I was down, they were almost completely out of everything from Laphroaig. Sounds like a trip to Portsmouth is due..and very soon. Thanks!

I'll be going as well.
I'd hoped to buy another bottle of the discontinued Glenmorangie Port and Sherry wood finish but I just noticed they have been replaced by the new higher priced versions. A few weeks ago they had plenty.

[wlfe]

do the NH state stores have a really good selection? i'm occasionally around there...

[Secesh]

do the NH state stores have a really good selection? i'm occasionally around there...

They have a decent selection. Here's a link for what they carry. If you click on the stock # then it will show you which stores have it.

Ryan, this should help you as well.

http://www.nh.gov/liquor/pl01.shtml#0009

[Ryguy]

do the NH state stores have a really good selection? i'm occasionally around there...

They have a decent selection. Here's a link for what they carry. If you click on the stock # then it will show you which stores have it.

Ryan, this should help you as well.

http://www.nh.gov/liquor/pl01.shtml#0009

Excellent! Thanks!

[wlfe]

i was a little off, it was $55 not $53. picked up a bottle tonite along w/ my first ardbeg 10

[Ryguy]

i was a little off, it was $55 not $53. picked up a bottle tonite along w/ my first ardbeg 10

Good choices, Enjoy! And be sure to let us know what you think.

[wlfe]

holy crap, this stuff is fantastic. like right off the bat, i think two things: grass and apple skin. i mean the laphroaig smoke is there, but this apple orchard thing is just killing me... reminds me of when i was kid picking apples with my parents. then it seems to finish off like i ate a chocolate bar with nuts, and it just kinda all sits there.

so glad i bought this...

[Ryguy]

holy crap, this stuff is fantastic. like right off the bat, i think two things: grass and apple skin. i mean the laphroaig smoke is there, but this apple orchard thing is just killing me... reminds me of when i was kid picking apples with my parents. then it seems to finish off like i ate a chocolate bar with nuts, and it just kinda all sits there.

so glad i bought this...

Excellent! I'm really glad you're enjoying it. And I'm glad we all told you to buy it, I found it really hard to believe you'd be disappointed. Good solid purchase there, from what I have heard this stuff won't be around long.

[Secesh]

holy crap, this stuff is fantastic. like right off the bat, i think two things: grass and apple skin. i mean the laphroaig smoke is there, but this apple orchard thing is just killing me... reminds me of when i was kid picking apples with my parents. then it seems to finish off like i ate a chocolate bar with nuts, and it just kinda all sits there.

so glad i bought this...

Excellent! I'm really glad you're enjoying it. And I'm glad we all told you to buy it, I found it really hard to believe you'd be disappointed. Good solid purchase there, from what I have heard this stuff won't be around long.

I told my wife I'd see if Joe at Federal could dig up a bottle of the 30 and I would give it to her on her birthday coming up. But she didn't fall for it.

[Secesh]

The rest of their lineup is going to stay around, correct? I'd hate for the QC to go away.

[wlfe]

wow, you sure rushed out to get that stuff! how far do you live from NH? you live in ME, VT, or MA? or dare I say NY, RI, or CT?

this was actually at a local shop, not the NH store

most of those NH store website prices wouldn't be worth the drive at $3.00/gallon... they're pretty close to local prices. in fact, the only thing on that list that's more than $3-4 cheaper than my local stores (as far as i know) is the highland park 12, which somehow costs $29. i've never seen it around here for less than $40...