What are the whisky prices in your area?

In Ontario the prices are pretty high compared to most of the states because in Ontario it's all run by the government-controlled LCBO. I do like the LCBO though so it's a trade off. For comparison, Ardbeg 10 runs just under $100 and Corryvreckan is $179.99.

@michaelschout, Oh my gosh! Ardbeg 10 is $39 and the Corry is $73 in L.A.

I guess I have it good here.

@whiskyshiba The LCBO jacks up the prices on Ardbeg the most I think. Cambeltown whiskies are also really expensive.

@michaelschout, That's horrible. I think Campbeltowns in general are a bit more in price, like Longrow.

You say that the good stuff is being shipped to asia and india. I'm curious to know what we're missing out on... Every now and then I will look to Europe websites for a bottle (that I can't afford...), but generally speaking, I don't struggle to find a bottle locally - save for anything special from lagavulin... jerks.

@ganagati, The older and rarer whiskys. I guess the same goes for fine wines and cognacs, watches, and cars. I found the most amazing whiskys for sale in Hong Kong, Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo, Beijing, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. I had a full dram of a 64YR Macallan in Korea at a Macallan event. Sign of the times I guess.

@whiskyshiba, Which good single malt prices you found at Bangalore and Hyderabad? Was it at the duty free store at the airport?

@DevD, Yes, at the airports, Duty Free shops across the city, and I must have driven past 3 dozen proper whisky shops in Bangalore, Mumbai, and Hyderabad.

@DevD, Sorry, forgot to answer your 1st ques...

I saw many different Macallan Fine & Rare, Old Bowmores, Lagavulin 25, Lagavulin 30 (I never knew this even existed), Highland Park 50, etc... It made K&L Wines look like a 7-11.

It made me sad that now the very best whiskys are being diverted to Asia and India.

Ah... I guess I've lived behind the Iron Curtain that is washington's liquor policy, so I attributed the lack of diversity to that. Ebay, however, is your friend... as are sites like whiskyauction.com

I am in the somewhat enviable position of being near 3 U.S. political jurisdictions so am able to benefit from 3 different systems. 1) Virginia has state run stores which offer the same product at the same price irrespective of where you are in the state (could be expensive Arlington or a backwater part of the state). The prices are listed on the internet and the stores look alike in a Starbucks or McDonalds kind of way. 2) Maryland organizes its stores on a county wide basis. Montgomery County has excellent prices and selection. 3) Finally DC has privately run stores. I also fly to California a few times a year.

While I have no doubt that Scotch prices and selection in the United States are not as good as most other parts of the world, the selection of American spirits is outstanding. I can usually find Buffalo Trace, Rittenhouse Rye, and Evan Williams Single Barrel for $20 a bottle. I'm sure they would easily go for two to three times that in other countries. I don't travel much internationally any more but have strolled through the San Francisco airport and droll at the duty free Scotch selection for the Asia bound tourists. For whatever reason, they only tend to have Jack Daniels or Jim Beam as American selections there though, sad.

www.cnbc.com/id/43915400

Diageo charged with bribing officials in India, South Korea, and Thailand.

Maybe now they'll lower pricing.. Probably not.

@whiskyshiba...we can only dream can't we?... :)

@Pudge72, Totally agree. I dream everyday that prices come back down to reality. And for all you Glenlivet fans, don't you love paying 5-7% more for a new bottle design?!

@whiskyshiba , I've observed Costco has some good prices overall in single malts/whiskies. Glenlivet 12 retails for $22 + tax, Glenfiddich 18 for $46(it was $43 previously). I've got Glenmorangie Original 1.75L bottle for $43 + tax. During holiday season JW Green retails for $35 and JW Gold for $50 + tax. Laphroaig 10 runs for $27. Sometimes they have good deals on Oban and Lagavulin 16.

@DevD, Thanks for the recon! Will check it out this weekend. Mission Liquor usually beats Costco's pricing or pretty much anybody's prices. Which is why I've heard that they are being sued by a large distributor and Feds are opening an inquiry on them.

Didn't know where to post this and didn't want to start a new discussion...

huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/…

There will soon be a test to spot an authentic whisky or an Ebay fake one.

In Pennsylvania, all liquor sales are controlled by state run stores. The pricing on Scotch whisky is fairly reasonable compared to Maryland prices. Where PA falls down is in availability. You generally won't find more than one age of Scotch sold, generally a 10 or 12 year old per distillery. I was told by a manager of the local store where I live, that her store doesn't care much whisky because it only sells well around Christmas and New Years.

I have a pretty good choice when it comes to purchasing my single malt scotch. I've recently added to my collection and will continue to do so based on all the great information located on here as well as other sources. The prices do vary considerably. I will us a local "mom and pop" liquor store to locate rare or hard to find scotch (i.e. Snow Phoenix) but the best prices are usually found at the larger discount stores. I will use Macallan 18 as an example.

BevMo - Large discount store - $139.99 Costco - Very large discount store - $139.99 Total Wines and More - Discount store - $149.99 Local Liquor Store A - $189.99 Local Liquor Store B - $159.99 Local Liquor Store C - $179.99

I have noticed that based on the brand, some are cheaper at the liquor store than at the discount store. I always check.

My goal is to try to purchase the basics at the larger discount stores but use my local liquor stores for the hard to find stuff. I want to help keep them in business as much as possible but come on...you can't pass up Macallan 18 for $139.99!

Happy hunting!

@Whisky-Whilly, Great idea! But, I take it a step further and always shun the big-box stores like Bevmo. Maybe I'm lucky that L.A. has great smaller liquor shops like Mission, K&L, and Wine and liquor depot.

Also, Remy-Cointreau is at war with the smaller mom&pops stores over pricing. They are charging them more than the big-box places. The Macallan's pricing is one of the most constant of all whiskys. I've never seen it dip below $119 and never exceed $160 here in the past 18months. Diageo will follow suit with pricing, but the JW Blue is my gauge to see if the store is priced fairly.

My favorite place here to buy Mac18 is usually priced at $119.99. The Highland Park 18 for $73.99. Ardbeg10 for $35.99. But after their current stocks are depleted, they will price them at market value.

I recently went to Asia, and they are buying up Everything Macallan, HP, JW Blue, Dalmore (don't know why this), and Glenlivet. And all whiskys need to be over 18 years but the starting point is 25year whiskys. In China, if an old whisky isn't in a Lalique decanter, they'll pass on it. It felt like Japan in the 80's when they were hot and buying up everything. Only a matter of time.

Exploring around Northern Calgary I came across an Uigeadail for $70 plus tax (5% here). In Ontario it's listed at $170! Makes you want to weep. I have one I bought in 2011 or 2012 but never opened. I wonder if I should get one just because and OPEN it.

We often complain about the prices of alcohol here in Sweden but I think you Canadians might have it even worse!

Increased taxes on alcohol have hit the Scotch prices hard over here In Belgium - since Dec this year it's now about 55€ / 60$ for Laga'16 and GlenDronach 15 revival, around 100€/110$ for HP'18. Mac'18 will set you back a cool 330€/360$