Bourbon sources in Alaska

[Flyfish]

We are headed to Alaska this summer via Canada. Can take only a liter each so will need to restock when we get there. Any suggestions about where the best availability and prices might be? (Never mind Juneau. You can't get there by RV.

[ISU_grad]

Been to Juneau recently and yes you can get there with an RV, but it's going to take you a long time and a lot of money for a ferry. From my experience there the selection was very limited, and pricey, not sure if the rest of the state is the same way or not, but your likely to find something in Anchorage.

If you are into beer, Alaska Brewing is available and they have some interesting selections.

[proof and age]

Brown Jug chain is in Alaska, I recommend.

[Flyfish]

Thanks. I went to their website and will check their stores in Fairbanks and Anchorage for bourbon selection.

[WhiskyRI]

Brown Jug has lots of locations in an around Anchorage - some have more selection than others. Make sure you pick up a couple of cans of whisky to take back home. Seriously Brown Jug carries a canned whisky which isn't half bad. The more remote you are the fewer the choices. For example Seward had a very limited selection unless you went to the grocery store. And remember you can always bring more back into the US beyond the duty free number. You just have to declare and pay duty - and for the record I've always declared my extra and never had to pay duty. I can't speak to going from US to Canada. But you may be able to stock up in Calgary or other main Canadian population center cheaper than Alaska.

[smokinjoe]

I would love to help you and answer your question FF, but I've never been to Alaska. I am glad to see other folks stepping up to help you out, though.

[tanstaafl2]

Brown Jug has lots of locations in an around Anchorage - some have more selection than others. Make sure you pick up a couple of cans of whisky to take back home. Seriously Brown Jug carries a canned whisky which isn't half bad. The more remote you are the fewer the choices. For example Seward had a very limited selection unless you went to the grocery store. And remember you can always bring more back into the US beyond the duty free number. You just have to declare and pay duty - and for the record I've always declared my extra and never had to pay duty. I can't speak to going from US to Canada. But you may be able to stock up in Calgary or other main Canadian population center cheaper than Alaska.

Since you are after all in the US I suppose you could ship home any excess before returning home through Canada, should you indeed even find much of interest in Alaska (one never knows I suppose), if crossing back into Canada and then back into the US is a concern. Shipping from Alaska back to the "lower 48" may not be as cheap as within the lower 48 but it probably isn't too bad.

[Flyfish]

Brown Jug has lots of locations in an around Anchorage - some have more selection than others. And remember you can always bring more back into the US beyond the duty free number... You just have to declare and pay duty - and for the record I've always declared my extra and never had to pay duty. I can't speak to going from US to Canada. But you may be able to stock up in Calgary or other main Canadian population center cheaper than Alaska.

We are planning on three months in AK so the 2 L we are allowed to take through Canada will never last. I was looking for suggestions on stores in AK that have decent selections. Decent prices might be asking too much. I'm not inclined to pay Canadian prices for bourbon on the way back to the US when I can restock more easily. Thanks to you SBers who offered suggestions.

[DrBob]

Since you are after all in the US I suppose you could ship home any excess before returning home through Canada, should you indeed even find much of interest in Alaska (one never knows I suppose), if crossing back into Canada and then back into the US is a concern. Shipping from Alaska back to the "lower 48" may not be as cheap as within the lower 48 but it probably isn't too bad.

And flipping this on end, you could ship some to yourself in Alaska if you know where you will be for one of the weeks.

Also the liter each to bring into Canada is the duty free part, you could still bring in more than that if you don't mind paying duty on it. The limits vary by the province you enter Canada, so you would have to look up hard limits depending on your route.

Personally I would rather bring stuff I know I liked, and pay the extra duty.

Example coming in through Ontario...

http://crossingmadeeasy.com/what-you-can-bring-back.htm

Alcoholic Beverages

Visitors arriving in Ontario who are 19 years of age or older may import, duty and tax free, for personal use, either 1.5 litres (52.7 ounces) of wine or 1.14 litres (40 ounces) of liquor or spirits; or 24 x 355 mL (12 ounce) cans or bottles of beer, ale, or their equivalent. Visitors can import more alcoholic beverages (up to 45 litres or 11.9 U.S. gallons), if they are willing to pay the Ontario fees and taxes in addition to the duties that apply

I would hope 45 liters is enough for each of you for 3 months