Cheaper than in the states?

[BourbonGuy]

I have a friend who lives in Byron, IL. He has started to develop a taste for bourbon. He is going on a cruise to Aruba. He mentioned he can buy the bourbon is duty free.

Also he loves Blanton's and likes Angel's Envy. So a few questions:

Is buying duty free cheaper? I have no idea.

He asked me for recommendations. What is he likely to run across in a cruise as a top shelf bourbon?

I doubt they have Elmer T. Lee. I like Bookers and Knob Creek Single Barrel, but the high proof may put him off.

Four Roses comes to mind. So does Wild Turkey Rare Breed.

Any guys, for those who travel, send advice!

Thanks!

[tanstaafl2]

I have a friend who lives in Byron, IL. He has started to develop a taste for bourbon. He is going on a cruise to Aruba. He mentioned he can buy the bourbon is duty free.

Also he loves Blanton's and likes Angel's Envy. So a few questions:

Is buying duty free cheaper? I have no idea.

He asked me for recommendations. What is he likely to run across in a cruise as a top shelf bourbon?

I doubt they have Elmer T. Lee. I like Bookers and Knob Creek Single Barrel, but the high proof may put him off.

Four Roses comes to mind. So does Wild Turkey Rare Breed.

Any guys, for those who travel, send advice!

Thanks!

No idea about Aruba or the Caribbean as I haven't traveled there lately. But most duty free stores I have been in have a very limited selection of bourbons although Blanton's is a good possibility. Angels Envy is unlikely.

As for cost it is important to have a frame of reference on your local price including your local tax. I have seen duty free bottles cost more than what I could buy it for at home! Also check the volume as bottles may be 700ml rather than 750ml. Just a small difference but could affect any savings.

The type you find oversees may also be different proof, age or some other difference so you have to consider that as well. Higher proof or even barrel proof Blantons for example. In that case you have to weigh cost against the fact it may be unavailable at home.

I am not sure how the rules work in other places but at times there has been an issue with buying duty free if your first stop in the US is not your final destination. You typically can't carry bottles around in the airport or on your connecting flight even if it started out as duty free from outside the US becasue you have to go back through TSA security to get to the domestic flights. You can potentially put your duty bottle into your checked luggage at customs but you want to have a way to safely pack it and sometimes in the past they would stop people from doing even that I have been told. Wasn't usually a problem for me because Atlanta was my final destination and was usually my first stop back in the US.

[Kyjd75]

I found and purchased both Blanton's Gold and Barrel Proof in St. Croix. Each bottle was $63 and duty free. Other than these two bottles I found nothing that I could not buy at home at competitive prices.

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[VAGentleman]

I am not sure how the rules work in other places but at times there has been an issue with buying duty free if your first stop in the US is not your final destination. You typically can't carry bottles around in the airport or on your connecting flight even if it started out as duty free from outside the US becasue you have to go back through TSA security to get to the domestic flights. You can potentially put your duty bottle into your checked luggage at customs but you want to have a way to safely pack it and sometimes in the past they would stop people from doing even that I have been told. Wasn't usually a problem for me because Atlanta was my final destination and was usually my first stop back in the US.

TSA just changed that rule. As long as it's in a tamper proof container you can now take it in your carry on

http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-trb-tsa-liquids-rule-eased-20140203,0,2959487.story#axzz2sbOolR9U

[tanstaafl2]

TSA just changed that rule. As long as it's in a tamper proof container you can now take it in your carry on

http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-trb-tsa-liquids-rule-eased-20140203,0,2959487.story#axzz2sbOolR9U

[Enoch]

My daughter brought me back a bottle of genever from the duty-free shop at Brussels airport but the shop delivered it to the plane.

[tanstaafl2]

My daughter brought me back a bottle of genever from the duty-free shop at Brussels airport but the shop delivered it to the plane.

Nearly all duty free shops at major international airports deliver the bottles you buy to the gate so that you don't pick it up until you board the plane. If the TSA change noted above allows you to continue to carry those bottles when you make connections in the US then it is a big step forward.

Of course it doesn't help with bottles purchased before getting to the airport. Still have to pack those in checked luggage and hope it arrives intact. Or arrives at all. That said I can't recall the last time something was stolen from my luggage despite traveling to a lot of places where that is reported to be a concern like Jo'berg.