Québec

@ggranatstein, you pose a good question that actually applies to anybody living in any Canadian province, as the border controls are universal. I believe there are a few online distributors that will ship whisky to you, but you will have to pay duty, which is quite hefty in Québec. You can also make a private order directly through the SAQ (saq.qc.ca/wcsstore/saqcom/…), but again you will likely have to pay a huge markup.

If you don't live too far from the Ontario border (e.g. Montréal), you can ask a nearby LCBO to bring something in to their store that's part of their catalogue (www.lcbo.com), and then make the drive to that store. The SAQ and LCBO do carry different inventories, so it often pays to check both.

Finally, Québec Whisky Net (quebecwhisky.net) might be of interest to you. Feel free to send me a personal message if you're looking for more options; they do exist.

@dbk, Thanks a lot. I thought so but appreciate the info. I don't think a private order from the SAQ is worth it. They are such pain.

I live in Quebec too and I feel your pain.... at least I can drive across to Ottawa and see what's available in the LCBO. I've noticed that Laphroig & Ardbeg are more readily available in Ontario ... distribution rights maybe ?

@LeBudfrumHull Ardbeg available in Ontario? I wish!

It's virtually impossible to find Ardbeg bottlings in ON—in fact, there are currently zero bottles of any Ardbeg expression available through the LCBO—whereas QC carries a few bottles of the Ten, and the Uigeadail is available throughout the province via the SAQ. Of course, if we lived somewhere else (say, Alberta), we could have both!

It seems to me that Ardbeg is getting more & more difficult to find no matter what province you live in. I bought the Laphroig 1/4 Cask at the LCBO, I've never seen it at the SAQ ... at least in my area.

I bought a Laphroaig Quarter Cask one month ago at the SAQ... I think it goes out twice a year at the SAQ Signature stores and lasts for a few days before they are sold-out. You need to be aware of the arrivals...

Ardberg are expensive in Quebec... I bought once a TEN at the USA duty free near Lacolle boarder. it was one liter and 30$ less than the 700ml sold at the SAQ... As much as I love Ardberg, I will never buy it at the SAQ. Every time I have a chance to go in USA or Europe I look to satisfy my appetite for Ardberg...Laphroaig QC was 62$ CAD at the SAQ, which is more reasonnable.