Whisky prices on the rise??

@lmann86 I too noticed that the prices have been steadily rising - in particular the Balvenie...Nice to KL Wines looking out for us consumers!

@FMichael Balvenie 15 just jumped $15 at my local shop! :(

Whisky prices are probably of the most interest to you. Do you also monitor miik, bread and meat prices? It's all going up. Something have to do with economical downturn in Europe and even the whole World. Prices for luxury goods, like whisky, will go up faster than essential products.The only solution I see is start getting earning more...

It's obvious the prices are rising. But have you noticed that the quality seems to be going down. Lagavulin 16 use to have more smoke and was complex. My last bottle was a disappointment, kind of flat. Does anyone know if Lagavulin made some big change to the distillery or their process around 16 years ago? I've noticed a change in there scotch.

What @Max said. I'm sure the various global financial crises of late haven't helped, but more fundamentally, It's the nature of our debt monetary system that all currencies are being inflated due to the interest that is attached. In real terms, CPI would have annual price rises at about 5% or 6% before taking anything else into consideration. If you're not getting a pay rise to match CPI then you're actually earning less each year. Food for thought.

@Benancio I agree with you about the Lagavulin 16. I first tried it back in 2009 and I was blown away by the smoke. The most recent bottle I've had was as you said "flat". Sad... Especially with an $80+ price tag

It doesn't help that also the lack of precipitation at least here in the U.S. during the last summer has decimated our corn crops which we all know make up most of the bourbon. Corn is pretty much in everything including fuel so dividing up the remaining corn doesn't help our bourbon prices either. Im sure the other grains and fruits(for other liquors/wine)took a toll also. I don't know about the output of crops of the grains grown internationally though.

@lmann86 , Obviously something changed 16 years ago, I don't think I'll buy another bottle. There are better Scotches for 80 dollars.

I wonder if Lagavulin use to malt and smoke their own grain and 16 years ago then someone decided to outsource it? Did they modernize? Who knows what happened but something changed.

@lmann86 Thanks for posting David Driscoll's blog entry here. David's perspectives are brilliant.

One whisky David highlighted that had leaped in price since early this year was Glenrothes 1988 ...

When Skyy imported the Glenrothes line I was able to capture a case and let it go out the door for $130 a bottle.

Recently I ordered a case from the new importer, and based on their price I would have had to increase the retail price to $170. I passed.

On the flip side of price increases, our price on our latest cases of Old Pulteney 12 year and Strathisla 12 year let us drop the retail price by $5 a bottle. Terrific whiskies at a better price.

@two-bit-cowboy I recently bought a bottle of pulteney 12 for $30! Fantastic dram with great complexity for a 12yo!

@lmann86 Yes! And especially for $30. Great deal, that.

Good to see that not all prices are going up. The Lagavulin has dropped to £28 in Asda over here. As for David I'm am taking what he says with a pinch of salt, I don't disagree that what he is paying may have gone up but anything that he is doing is for his business any side effects for us are just a bonus.

Years of watching whisky shop prices have made me sceptical.

I noticed the same thing in Austria. The prices of staple single malts have been considerably raised (5% to 30%) this summer. Laphroaig 10, Balvenie DW, Lagavulin 16, Aberfeldy 12, Glenfiddich 12 and 15 have been all going up.

In the past six months or so the LCBO (not exactly the standard bearer of capitalism) has bumped up prices on Diageo's Lagavulin 16, Talisker 10, Cragganmore 12, and Glenkinchie 12...and the corresponding Distiller's Editions, I believe. Redbreast 12, Auchentoshan 12, Bowmore 12, and Highland Park 12, 15, and 18. have also all seen increases in the 5-10% range.