It's not a matter of what I LIKE... It's what I can AFFORD!

[CDNSushi]

Since repatriating back to Canada about a year and a half ago, and being terribly shocked and dismayed at whisky prices here (especially in B.C.), I have not been able to afford to buy the libations I was so used to being able to blindly pick up without a second thought while in Japan. Most single malts could be had for well under $50, and the selection was incredible. Yes, the Japanese do love their single malts, whether they be domestically produced (as some of you well know), or imported from Scotland.

Anyway... I just wanted to share my joy with you all... That after all this time I have finally been able to afford to buy a simple bottle of Aberlour 12. :-D Mind you, with no thanks to Canada for that. My wife and I took a brief hop down to the Olympic Peninsula, WA, for a few days of R&R. I purposely made our itinerary long enough to allow us to bring back some duty-free.




I know that Washingtonians moan about the excessive liquor tax, but believe me -- ain't got nuthin' on us folk up North. I picked this one up from the Rite-Aid in Port Angeles for just $37 plus change. And even with the 20.5% state tax on it AND the US->CDN exchange rate, I STILL saved at least $12-13... (And getting a $27 bottle of Maker's Mark went without saying).

So now, finally, I can put away my bottle of rotgut Ballantine's (which, as far as mixed whiskys go, actually gets pretty decent reviews though), and enjoy a wee dram of something a bit nicer.

We're movin' on up!

[Macman]

I hear you about B.C.'s liquor prices, JD. I usually pick up a couple of bottles each time I go to Calgary to visit my daughter.

[ASinclair]

Aberlour 12 is on my short list of favorite single malt whiskies. int:

[David Dubh]

I feel your pain CDNSushi! I moved to B.C. from Alberta 3 years ago. Fortunately a couple of my daughter's and my grandchildren still live in Alberta so I get back several times a year and always grab a bottle or two as well as wines
slainte David

[CMcG]

My solution—apart from the wonders of cross-border shopping—is to buy domestic. Canadian whisky is often geared towards being a mixer, but there are an increasing number of fine, local, sipping drams to be had. On the more affordable end of the spectrum, I'm a big fan of the Alberta Springs 10 Year with its subtle-yet-spicy flavours, but I also really like the bolder, sweeter, and richer taste of Dark Horse. Both these benefit from an ice cube IMHO, perhaps because they have a much higher rye content than your average Canadian "rye" whisky, but YMMV.

[Destin_scot]

Down in my part of the world, it is as much an issue of "What can I FIND" as it is "It's not a matter of what I LIKE... It's what I can AFFORD!"

I tasted a fine example of Rye Whiskey last year called: Angel's Envy Rye, (finished in used rum barrels), spicy, smooth, unquestionably one of the best rye whiskies I have tasted. But try to find it in a local liquor store...
easier to find gold on a Florida beach.

There are now a few micro-distilleries popping up in Florida, so maybe we'll have some good examples of local spirits before too long.