Bye Bye Top Shelf Scotch

[JamesW]

Looks like I'm moving back to Canada after 15 good years here in the US.:usflag:

I just took a job in Ontario and will be moving there sometime this summer. Accepting the job offer was bittersweet to say the least.

Bye Bye $42 Ardberg 10, Hello $100+ Ardberg 10. :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

Bye Bye $50 Talisker 10, $55 Laphroaig QC, $40 Bunnahabain 12, etc... :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

Bye Bye New Hampshire's discount liquor, hello Ontario Liquor Control Board....:banghead:

I've looked into the matter and it seems that I'm allowed to bring my bunker across tax free (One shot at it I guess). It currently stands at ~ 50 bottles. It should be ~ 100 bottles by this summer if that's the case.

Guess I won't be able to throw jabs at Megawatt anymore about socialized liquor

[DeanSheen]

Doh! That sucks.

My BIL is a realtor up there, he's been selling like crazy the last 3 weeks.

Good luck with the move.

[Megawatt]

Looks like I'm moving back to Canada after 15 good years here in the US.:usflag:

I just took a job in Ontario and will be moving there sometime this summer. Accepting the job offer was bittersweet to say the least.

Bye Bye $42 Ardberg 10, Hello $100+ Ardberg 10. :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

Bye Bye $50 Talisker 10, $55 Laphroaig QC, $40 Bunnahabain 12, etc... :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

Bye Bye New Hampshire's discount liquor, hello Ontario Liquor Control Board....:banghead:

I've looked into the matter and it seems that I'm allowed to bring my bunker across tax free (One shot at it I guess). It currently stands at ~ 50 bottles. It should be ~ 100 bottles by this summer if that's the case.

Guess I won't be able to throw jabs at Megawatt anymore about socialized liquor

[Dramiel McHinson]

This is tragic on many levels. Can you receive 50ml mercy bottles through the mail? Can you import medicinal Ardbeg?

Good luck with your new job and if the 100 bottle head start works out the way you plan, you'll have time to think about options before you become desperate.

[thanis]

Well, employment is even more important, and there are always the duty free stores for some of it (depending on how close to the boarder you are).

...Somehow I can't imagine customs being cool with your trailer full of liquor bottles. Better look into it some more. I would hate to hear about a mass confiscation...

+1

[Chu'Wuti]

I'm so sorry to hear this! I would be lost without my Laphroaig or Talisker or Ardbeg . . . what a terrible fate!

And even if you can take your personal supply across the border, what about the future? Those bottles won't last forever!

If you visit the states, are you allowed to bring back purchases without surcharges? Others have already asked about shipping you supplies.

:shithappens: Even so, it's a horrible thing to contemplate!

[Dr. François]

On the plus side...Hello Alberta Springs 100% rye whiskey!

I'm pretty sure it's not available in the USA.

[JamesW]

I was about to say something snarky but you beat me to it. I'm sure it will be a painful adjustment for you. Never mind Ardbeg; $42 can't even get you Glenfiddich around here. Bunnahabain isn't available in the province, last I checked. At least you'll have better access to Canadian whiskies you probably don't give a crap about anyway .

Somehow I can't imagine customs being cool with your trailer full of liquor bottles. Better look into it some more. I would hate to hear about a mass confiscation.

Incidentally, whereabouts in Ontario are you moving to?

I'll be going to the Kitchener-Waterloo area. The person over there in charge of transfers told me that I could bring my bunker but after your comments I looked into it and the process looks daunting. It seems I would need proof that I purchased the items at least six months in advance of moving and then I can pay $8 per bottle duty. Otherwise its a nearly 130% tax for all bottles not having that kind of proof. Needless to say I have not kept receipts over the years. I'll have to call the LCBO to see what's up.

[JamesW]

Doh! That sucks.

My BIL is a realtor up there, he's been selling like crazy the last 3 weeks.

Good luck with the move.

Thanks. Real estate is pretty pricey up there for sure.

This is tragic on many levels. Can you receive 50ml mercy bottles through the mail? Can you import medicinal Ardbeg?

They seem pretty strict. I guess I'll have to sneak a few bottles back every time I go to the States. Ardberg should be covered by Medicare right?

Well, employment is even more important, and there are always the duty free stores for some of it (depending on how close to the border you are).

Yes, it is a bitter-sweet victory getting the position. Duty-free actually tends to be more expensive than NH for the most part.

I'm so sorry to hear this! I would be lost without my Laphroaig or Talisker or Ardbeg . . . what a terrible fate!

And even if you can take your personal supply across the border' date=' what about the future? Those bottles won't last forever!

If you visit the states, are you allowed to bring back purchases without surcharges? Others have already asked about shipping you supplies.

:shithappens: Even so, it's a horrible thing to contemplate![/quote']

You can usually bring back 1.15 liters per 48 hour visit to the US. That doesn't last too long in my house.

On the plus side...Hello Alberta Springs 100% rye whiskey! I'm pretty sure it's not available in the USA.

Never had it. But thanks for the heads-up. I may become a Canadian Whisk(e)y drinker yet!

[Megawatt]

Too bad we recently ran out of Alberta Premium 25 year old rye at the LCBO. It was beyond a steal at $29.95. I'm just about finished a bottle of Wiser's 18, which is quite nice but at $50 I'm tempted by many other things...

[Megawatt]

There is a new distillery in the Toronto area making single malt whisky, so that is exciting news for us, or will be in a few years anyway.

[JamesW]

I just spoke to the folks at the Canadian customs and at the LCBO. Looks like I'd be paying $10-$15 per bottle plus 5% GST on the value. Kinda sucks. I might leave my stash with friends and bring it across slowly or wait 'till I return to the US in 5 yrs or so.

I looked at the LCBO website. Decent selection of scotch compared to the Regie in Quebec. I saw the Laph QC for about $65 which is do-able. No bourbon to speak of other that Jim Beam White and Woodford Reserve... yuck. I have to leave behind my BTAC collection and suffer I guess.

Megawatt, you'll have to guide me to the better values offered at the LCBO me thinks.

Cheers!

[JamesW]

There is a new distillery in the Toronto area making single malt whisky, so that is exciting news for us, or will be in a few years anyway.

I visited the distillery in Cape Breton (i.e., Glen Breton). Not a bad whiskey but rather expensive at $70. I'd have been willing to pay closer to $40 for that quality.

[Megawatt]

I just spoke to the folks at the Canadian customs and at the LCBO. Looks like I'd be paying $10-$15 per bottle plus 5% GST on the value. Kinda sucks. I might leave my stash with friends and bring it across slowly or wait 'till I return to the US in 5 yrs or so.

I looked at the LCBO website. Decent selection of scotch compared to the Regie in Quebec. I saw the Laph QC for about $65 which is do-able. No bourbon to speak of other that Jim Beam White and Woodford Reserve... yuck. I have to leave behind my BTAC collection and suffer I guess.

Megawatt, you'll have to guide me to the better values offered at the LCBO me thinks.

Cheers!

[unclebunk]

Hey James, I've got a brilliant idea: I'll hold on to your bunker until you need it back. But if you long for a "taste" of an old favorite once you've moved back to Canada, I can crack open one of your bottles and send you some really detailed tasting notes after a few pours.:grin:

Seriously though, perhaps you should bring just a few bottles over the border at a time and have your friends and relatives transport the rest incrementally when they visit. It seems too steep a price to pay all the excessive taxes. On the other hand, as Megawatt Mike has indicated, many of your cherished bottles are altogether unavailable in Canada or, at the very least, would cost you far more to purchase up there than the additional amount you'd pay in taxes, in which case $10-$20 per bottle would be a relative bargain to get your stash to your new home. Either way, good luck to you and your family.

[JamesW]

Hey James, I've got a brilliant idea: I'll hold on to your bunker until you need it back. But if you long for a "taste" of an old favorite once you've moved back to Canada, I can crack open one of your bottles and send you some really detailed tasting notes after a few pours.:grin:

Seriously though, perhaps you should bring just a few bottles over the border at a time and have your friends and relatives transport the rest incrementally when they visit. It seems too steep a price to pay all the excessive taxes. On the other hand, as Megawatt Mike has indicated, many of your cherished bottles are altogether unavailable in Canada or, at the very least, would cost you far more to purchase up there than the additional amount you'd pay in taxes, in which case $10-$20 per bottle would be a relative bargain to get your stash to your new home. Either way, good luck to you and your family.

Thanks. I think I'm going to do just that. I'm taking a trip up to Montreal this weekend and I 'll bring 3 of my most expensive up and each time I go up I'll take 3 more (i.e., 1.14L x 2 adults = 3 x 750ml). This way I may get as much as 12 bottles up before I actually move. I'll leave the bunker with a trusted friend (sorry) and move the remainder up in waves I guess.

Lastly, I'll just have to learn to drink Canadian whiskey :smiley_acbt:

[Megawatt]

Thanks. I think I'm going to do just that. I'm taking a trip up to Montreal this weekend and I 'll bring 3 of my most expensive up and each time I go up I'll take 3 more (i.e., 1.14L x 2 adults = 3 x 750ml). This way I may get as much as 12 bottles up before I actually move. I'll leave the bunker with a trusted friend (sorry) and move the remainder up in waves I guess.

Lastly, I'll just have to learn to drink Canadian whiskey :smiley_acbt:

Unfortunately most of the really good ones are around Scotch prices anyway ($40+). There are some exceptions. I really like Crown Royal; CR Limited Edition is even better. Alberta Premium Limited Edition is phenomenal if you can find it (have a look while in Montreal). Lots of people like Forty Creek Barrel Select but it doesn't sit well with me. The sherry flavour seems off somehow.

[unclebunk]

Unfortunately most of the really good ones are around Scotch prices anyway ($40+). There are some exceptions. I really like Crown Royal; CR Limited Edition is even better. Alberta Premium Limited Edition is phenomenal if you can find it (have a look while in Montreal). Lots of people like Forty Creek Barrel Select but it doesn't sit well with me. The sherry flavour seems off somehow.

I always wanted to get my hands on some Alberta Premium. I've read great things but I hear it's hard to find. I'm sure JamesW will be surprised by the number of quality Canadian whiskeys to be found. I still haven't tried the Forty Creek despite its cheap price tag. I just expect it to be bland for some reason but shouldn't judge until I've sampled some.

[Megawatt]

I always wanted to get my hands on some Alberta Premium. I've read great things but I hear it's hard to find. I'm sure JamesW will be surprised by the number of quality Canadian whiskeys to be found. I still haven't tried the Forty Creek despite its cheap price tag. I just expect it to be bland for some reason but shouldn't judge until I've sampled some.

Forty Creek Barrel Select is unique among Canadians. Consider that it is pot-distilled and finished in sherry casks. It is far from bland. Sometimes I like it but on the whole I find the sherry character doesn't sit as well as it does on Scotch. However it is much-loved by many Scotch and bourbon drinkers who consider it the best Canada has to offer. I've also tried their Double Barrel Reserve, which is more traditional in flavour and more to my liking.

Alberta Premium is okay if you like uncompromising rye flavour. The 25 year old is light years beyond the regular 5-year-old stuff and for only a few dollars more, but it is even harder to find. Jim Murray seems to love pure rye and so whiskies like Alberta Premium and Walker's Special Old get high marks from him.

Hell, I probably don't give Forty Creek enough credit. I hope they tone down the sherry and find other ways to make their whisky bold and distinctive, because they're on the right track.

[unclebunk]

Forty Creek Barrel Select is unique among Canadians. Consider that it is pot-distilled and finished in sherry casks. It is far from bland. Sometimes I like it but on the whole I find the sherry character doesn't sit as well as it does on Scotch. However it is much-loved by many Scotch and bourbon drinkers who consider it the best Canada has to offer. I've also tried their Double Barrel Reserve, which is more traditional in flavour and more to my liking.

Alberta Premium is okay if you like uncompromising rye flavour. The 25 year old is light years beyond the regular 5-year-old stuff and for only a few dollars more, but it is even harder to find. Jim Murray seems to love pure rye and so whiskies like Alberta Premium and Walker's Special Old get high marks from him.

Hell, I probably don't give Forty Creek enough credit. I hope they tone down the sherry and find other ways to make their whisky bold and distinctive, because they're on the right track.

Thanks for the info on the Forty Creek. I've got a party to attend this weekend, so I'll pick up a bottle for the occasion and give it a spin. As to the Alberta Premium, I'm heavy into straight rye, so that's right up my alley. I've read Murray's reviews which is where I picked up the little info I have on AP, so you can imagine my disappointment when I discovered that it's unavailable in these parts. But the next time I'm in Toronto I'll be hunting for it, that's for sure.

[JamesW]

I always wanted to get my hands on some Alberta Premium. I've read great things but I hear it's hard to find. I'm sure JamesW will be surprised by the number of quality Canadian whiskeys to be found. I still haven't tried the Forty Creek despite its cheap price tag. I just expect it to be bland for some reason but shouldn't judge until I've sampled some.

Yeah, I probably need to give the Canadian Whiskey's another go I guess. My brother brought me a bottle of Canadian Club Classic 12 yr a few years back and it was very bland. I've always just thought of Canadian Whiskey as a mixer. I'm sure some of the premium stuff is decent. I will definitely look for the Alberta Premium while up in MTL.

Just checked the SAQ website and looks like the Regie doesn't carry any of it. No surprise.

[unclebunk]

Yeah, I probably need to give the Canadian Whiskey's another go I guess. My brother brought me a bottle of Canadian Club Classic 12 yr a few years back and it was very bland. I've always just thought of Canadian Whiskey as a mixer. I'm sure some of the premium stuff is decent. I will definitely look for the Alberta Premium while up in MTL.

Just checked the SAQ website and looks like the Regie doesn't carry any of it. No surprise.

Ain't that always the way.

[Megawatt]

Yeah, I probably need to give the Canadian Whiskey's another go I guess. My brother brought me a bottle of Canadian Club Classic 12 yr a few years back and it was very bland. I've always just thought of Canadian Whiskey as a mixer. I'm sure some of the premium stuff is decent. I will definitely look for the Alberta Premium while up in MTL.

Just checked the SAQ website and looks like the Regie doesn't carry any of it. No surprise.

They will all seem bland next to bourbon and Scotch, IMO. You'll learn to appreciate it for its subtlety, or not at all.