Visiting Arizona

[WhiskyRI]

I'll be visiting Arizona next week for a wedding (not mine) spending time in Tucson, Sedona and Grand Canyon village. I am curious as to whether Arizona is a Whiskey desert as far as interesting bourbons are concerned? And by interesting I mean things beyond the normal Beam/JD/EW/BT offerings, not that those aren't also fine whiskies. Also are prices high, low, average? Should I leave space in my suitcase to bring home a few bottles? Any particularly good stores to visit in the aforementioned cities or on the roads between them? My spouse will have limited patience (and by limited I mean just about zero) with me popping into multiple stores looking for the rare BIB bourbon. But I can probably slip away to one or two while she is getting some spa time. Any advice or suggestions would be welcomed. Thanks

[Flyfish]

Total Wines and More in Tucson has a good selection and good sale prices. Got two bottle of Blanton's at $39 compared to $55 in OH. Check their website for current sale prices.

[Wryguy]

Welcome to SB.com! Always nice to see another New Englander on here. No advice to offer on Arizona, but best of luck hunting! Hope that the wife has some nice, looooonnng spa sessions scheduled. What part of RI are you in?

[Flyfish]

WhiskyRI, a follow up caution about the Total Wine website: Evidently the webdesigner thinks there are three kinds of bourbon--single barrel, small batch, and what he calls "blended" even though they are straights. Pay not attention to the man behind the curtain.

[savagehenry]

You may find some Handy at BevMo. You can check inventory online by location.

[JPBoston]

Total Wine is my first choice, with Bev Mo a close second.

[tanstaafl2]

Total Wine is my first choice, with Bev Mo a close second.

[JLH3]

Also take a look at AJ's. You can usually sneak up on a few good bottles there. Especially the one in Tucson. You're almost guaranteed to find some THH and Vintage's. They usually have Noah's Mill and others also. They can run 5 to 10 bucks more than Bevmo or Total Wine but they do carry higher end bottles the other two won't. Sun Devil Liquors in Phoenix isn't bad either.

[WhiskyRI]

So this was a family vacation with my wife and daughter, and my wife isn't a big fan of my dusty hunting, but I was able to visit a few establishments while running errands or picking up odds and ends. My finds weren't extraordinary but here is what I found. If you are visiting the Grand Canyon and staying in the Park - the general store has a nice little whisky and whiskey selection - surprisingly good in fact. I made one of my purchases there - a High Spirits Mesquite Smoked Single Malt from Flagstaff, AZ. Only place I saw it on offer. In Sedona I purchased a pint of Old Taylor 6 year, which I've never seen here in Rhode Island, I would have bought the 750ml but I wanted to leave space in the suitcase. In Tucson I visited quite a few smaller establishments and of course a Total Wine - it sure is a big store. Nothing said buy me - some prices were darn high and others were cheap. Couldn't make rhyme nor reason out of it. My "big" find came from a little drive-thru near the campus. I found 6 50 ml Glenlivet 15 and Glenlivet 18 for $3ea and $4ea respectively. Otherwise I the selection was roughly the same as back here in RI/MA. I guess the moral of the story is if I'm looking for Bourbon, I need to go to Kentucky.....

[TBC]

Any better pickings in the Phoenix/Glendale area where you are? I will be passing through for a couple of days in the latter part of May. Won't have a lot of time but might take a peek if there is anything worth peeking at!

The Total Wine in Glendale (Arrowhead Mall) has a better selection, the Bevmo in Glendale (just down Bell road from the TW) has less of a selection, but tends to carry BTAC here and there.

[tanstaafl2]

The Total Wine in Glendale (Arrowhead Mall) has a better selection, the Bevmo in Glendale (just down Bell road from the TW) has less of a selection, but tends to carry BTAC here and there.

Headed that way tomorrow. Dusty and not so dusty hunting on this trip is likely to be limited but welcome any recommendations for a restaurant with a decent bourbon or at least spirits selection that isn't too pricey somewhere near the stadium for a small group of 6 to 8. Apparently we are going to be close to the Westgate City Center which sounds like a very touristy area. But I do have a car so I can travel a bit if it is worth the trip.

May try to at least check out the Total Wine (which we have locally) and the BevMo (which we don't) whilst in the area.