If you are traveling abroad, what bottle of bourbon would you bring back?

[Lepisto]

In a couple of weeks, I head to South Africa for a few days for work. I'm not sure if I'll have the time, but I'm going to try and get to a liquor store of some sort. I'm fairly new to bourbon outside of WSR, and have heard that bourbon distributed oversees is a bit different - maybe it is just higher proof, but I'm not sure. Is there any bourbon I should be on the lookout for, that I couldn't find in the US? I might not be able to appreciate it yet, so I'll save it, but I didn't want to pass up an opportunity to get something that I can't get in the US.

[garbanzobean]

Off the top of my head: Wild Turkey 12 year (or any other age stated Wild Turkey not available in the U.S., really), Blanton's Straight From the Barrel, Four Roses Fine Old and/or Platinum (Both releases are Japan only though), and any Very Olde St. Nick (mostly for novelty). I have no idea what the bourbon scene is like in South Africa though.

[Clavius]

Easy question, Blanton's Straight From the Barrel.

[bin31z]

Blanton's SFTB. The amazing thing is that this stuff sells for about $50 in Japan right now because of the favorable US exchange rate. I'll be grabbing a couple of bottles of this in January when I visit. Otherwise, the age statement Wild Turkey is a good grab along with Blanton's gold or black.

[gooneygoogoo]

Blanton's SFTB. The amazing thing is that this stuff sells for about $50 in Japan right now because of the favorable US exchange rate. I'll be grabbing a couple of bottles of this in January when I visit. Otherwise, the age statement Wild Turkey is a good grab along with Blanton's gold or black.

This. Barrel proof Blanton's and age stated Turkey

[393foureyedfox]

i know a guy who goes to Japan a few times a year. I axed him to grab some age stated WT next time if he can find it. Is it a readily available thing there, or is it something that must be hunted down?

[bourbonfoot]

Easy question, Blanton's Straight From the Barrel.

First one always.

[Trey Manthey]

I'm going to Paris is a few weeks and will probably buy a bottle of Blanton's, but I don't think it will make it home with me!

[bin31z]

i know a guy who goes to Japan a few times a year. I axed him to grab some age stated WT next time if he can find it. Is it a readily available thing there, or is it something that must be hunted down?

Well I hope you didn't ax him. [emoji16] the age statement turkey is readily available.

[flahute]

Blanton's SFTB. The amazing thing is that this stuff sells for about $50 in Japan right now because of the favorable US exchange rate. I'll be grabbing a couple of bottles of this in January when I visit. Otherwise, the age statement Wild Turkey is a good grab along with Blanton's gold or black.

Hmmmm.....good to know. I have a layover in Tokyo coming up in October so I will be on the lookout for both SFTB and age stated Turkey.

[bjbronwyn]

i know a guy who goes to Japan a few times a year. I axed him to grab some age stated WT next time if he can find it. Is it a readily available thing there, or is it something that must be hunted down?

I got the 8 and 12 yr less than a year ago in a liquor store without looking too hard.

[bjbronwyn]

In a couple of weeks, I head to South Africa for a few days for work. I'm not sure if I'll have the time, but I'm going to try and get to a liquor store of some sort. I'm fairly new to bourbon outside of WSR, and have heard that bourbon distributed oversees is a bit different - maybe it is just higher proof, but I'm not sure. Is there any bourbon I should be on the lookout for, that I couldn't find in the US? I might not be able to appreciate it yet, so I'll save it, but I didn't want to pass up an opportunity to get something that I can't get in the US.

The only thing I know in south africa is 86 proof JDBL as standard bottling, worth a try IMHO. I believe the only age stated wt is in japan.

[tanstaafl2]

Been awhile now since I was last in South Africa but my recollection is to not count on Duty Free for anything interesting in terms of American whiskey beyond JD and maybe Beam. Whisky in liquor stores is decidedly more towards malt whisky than bourbon or rye whiskey. I would agree that the Blanton's SFTB might be your best option if you can find even that. I don't remember seeing any age stated Turkey when I was there.

I tend to look for curiosities like the local Bain's grain whisky made in South Africa.

[bin31z]

SFTB Blaton is exactly 46 dollars in Japan right now...that's insane.

[tanstaafl2]

I tend to look for curiosities like the local Bain's grain whisky made in South Africa.

As it happens my mule just arrived from South Africa. They did not recall seeing any interesting bourbon or American whiskey at the Jo'berg duty free. But it should noted that while they were given some specific instructions they are not a well trained whiskey nerd!

[Creggor]

If it was me i would try to find some of the Better Wild Turkey Offerings.. I think Four Roses makes a Platinum release for Japan.. You can also get Blantons SFTB GLTU Creggor

[bigtoys]

I'm going to London, Rome and Paris in a few weeks; flying home from Paris, so wonder what they'll have in duty free.

Not sure if flying back to London from Rome allows duty free shopping, but probably wouldn't have room to pack anything in a suitcase anyway

[squire]

Duty free shops in Rome, yes, but selection may be slim.

[Lepisto]

I'll be in Cape Town but will fly through J'burg on the way back. I found a website in Capetown where you order online and they deliver to you in the same day. I'm going to see if they'll deliver to my hotel and leave it at the front desk. They have Blanton's Gold and Weller 12 (which I cannot find in KY right now). I checked the US customs, and it looks like I can bring one bottle back without paying any US customs. I think it is 3% for each additional bottle. I think it'll be worth it.

[BourbonRob]

I found plenty of WT8, wish I would have found some WT12. Forgot how good it was!

[393foureyedfox]

I'll be in Cape Town but will fly through J'burg on the way back. I found a website in Capetown where you order online and they deliver to you in the same day. I'm going to see if they'll deliver to my hotel and leave it at the front desk. They have Blanton's Gold and Weller 12 (which I cannot find in KY right now). I checked the US customs, and it looks like I can bring one bottle back without paying any US customs. I think it is 3% for each additional bottle. I think it'll be worth it.

ha! Aint that some sh#t.....buying something in S. Africa that is made here, but you cant find here, just to bring it back to KY

[Smithford]

I tend to look for curiosities like the local Bain's grain whisky made in South Africa.

There's a thread for South African whisky in the Foreign Whisky sub forum. Add your tasting notes there if you've tried it.

[tanstaafl2]

There's a thread for South African whisky in the Foreign Whisky sub forum. Add your tasting notes there if you've tried it.

Haven't had a chance to crack it yet. It will likely show up in a Wednesday tasting in the near future but not for a few weeks I suspect.

[kickert]

In a couple of weeks, I head to South Africa for a few days for work. I'm not sure if I'll have the time, but I'm going to try and get to a liquor store of some sort. I'm fairly new to bourbon outside of WSR, and have heard that bourbon distributed oversees is a bit different - maybe it is just higher proof, but I'm not sure. Is there any bourbon I should be on the lookout for, that I couldn't find in the US? I might not be able to appreciate it yet, so I'll save it, but I didn't want to pass up an opportunity to get something that I can't get in the US.

I live in Southern Africa, so maybe I can give you some perspective. Don't expect much in JNB airport. JDSS is the only thing unique that I see that you can pick up there. There are a few more interesting scotches, but nothing really on the bourbon front. Just remember if you buy in duty free, and then are connecting in the US, you will have to move it to your checked luggage.

I tend to look for curiosities like the local Bain's grain whisky made in South Africa.

Bain's is interesting and nice to have around here, but is hardly worth seeking out. The 3 Ships is of even lower quality (although I often have it on my own shelf.

ha! Aint that some sh#t.....buying something in S. Africa that is made here, but you cant find here, just to bring it back to KY

Actually, if you are in Cape Town, your best bet is going to be to try and pick up some of the older premium releases that have long been missing from shelves in the states, but haven't yet been snatched up. I muled quite a few seasonal releases that were several years old from a friend last year.

In all honesty, if you are talking about bringing home bottles, unless you score some nice older releases, I wouldn't look to SA for whiskey. Instead, I usually stock up on Havana Club cuban rum. I actually like the Reserva (5 years) over the 7 year, but you can get both for around $20.

[Lepisto]

Thanks for the perspective Kickert. I'm not sure how much time I'll have to myself while I'm there, since my reason for going is for work. Plus, any free time I have, I might not want to spend looking for bourbon. I also will be relying on cabs for transportation. I will probably spend some time in a few grocery stores as part of my job. Do they have liquor stores connected to the grocery stores or sold inside of the grocery stores there? How is the selection?

Thanks for the duty free/US connection reminder. I've gotten screwed in the past. Hopefully my mind will be clear enough to remember after the long flight back to the States.