Which Water of Life did you pass up today? 2016+

[no proof]

18 hours ago, Kpiz said:

 

Wow. I can't help but wonder if that's a sign of what's coming here in the U.S. There are still places with Yamazaki 18 for <$300 but it sells out very quickly, at least in my area.

 

I'm no expert about Japanese whisky, but I think Japan is in a bit different situation in that a lot of the age-stated domestic whiskies have a high export percentage since most whisky here is consumed in mixed drinks like highballs, so they tend to use a lot of NAS.

 

But then a combination of the "best whisky" awards in recent years and a tv drama telling a fictionalized story based on the Nikka founder becoming very popular has led to a sudden spike in people here buying AS as well.

 

But unless Suntory, Nikka, etc. decide to change the export numbers longer term based on what may be a domestic fad, it could be that the US and other regions won't see quite the same price jumps.

 

Obviously, however, the export markets are also experiencing demand due to those "best whisky" awards, so it's never gonna go back to how it was.

[tanstaafl2]

There are a few available here that I will still buy like Nikka Coffey Malt and Grain that are good and relatively affordable (for now). I wish Nikka Whisky from the Barrel was available in the US but as long as it remains in a 50 cl bottle that ain't happening! I always look for it when traveling overseas though.

 

But the Yamazaki 18 prices have pushed Yamazaki/Suntory (and Beam for that matter since their shotgun wedding to Suntory after their Bookers blunder) into the Willet category for me. Just isn't worth that much money so I won't buy anything from the high end or low end of the price range anymore.

 

Not that the age stated Nikka's are cheap anymore either. But at least they offer the few I mentioned as decent affordable options that I enjoy. Not much like those from Suntory that I enjoy, are affordable and that are readily available in the US.

 

 

I wonder how long it is going to be before everything is in the "Willett Category".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 17, 2017 by tanstaafl2

[garbanzobean]

Passed on Hibiki 21 for $400+, I stopped paying attention after I saw the first numeral.  Not that I would consider buying it for even half that price, but it seemed appropriate to mention giving the current slant of the conversation.

[beasled]

Passed on a number of Blackadder Raw Casks as I just didn't have time to buy but I may go back... Clynelish 21 was among them.

[garbanzobean]

35 minutes ago, beasled said:

Passed on a number of Blackadder Raw Casks as I just didn't have time to buy but I may go back... Clynelish 21 was among them.

I'm really regretting not grabbing any of the last batch of TWE Clynelish sherry casks.  I can't source any heavily sherried Clynelish over here (except as part of John Glaser's experiments), and I must try some.  For science!

[Old Dusty]

6 minutes ago, garbanzobean said:

I'm really regretting not grabbing any of the last batch of TWE Clynelish sherry casks.  I can't source any heavily sherried Clynelish over here (except as part of John Glaser's experiments), and I must try some.  For science!

Had an 18 year Signatory CS from TWE that was lights out. 

[beasled]

50 minutes ago, garbanzobean said:

I'm really regretting not grabbing any of the last batch of TWE Clynelish sherry casks.  I can't source any heavily sherried Clynelish over here (except as part of John Glaser's experiments), and I must try some.  For science!

 

Sherried Clynelish is all kinds of awesome. There's a recently released Signatory which whilst not cask strength is still awesome. 

 

 

[Kpiz]

Passed on Glenfarclas 25yo distillery bottling for $129.99. Good price, I just wasn't in buying mode

[Whiskeythink.com]

On 2/20/2017 at 2:06 PM, Old Dusty said:

Had an 18 year Signatory CS from TWE that was lights out. 

Just finished an 8 yr Signatory Clynelish CS that was excellent for its age.

[gusto16]

Passed on a Hibiki 21 yr at $299


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[jvd99]

I've stopped shopping in this store as it regularly price gouges.  This used to be one of my favorite stores, but they've recently gone to the dark side

 

 

[tanstaafl2]

26 minutes ago, jvd99 said:

I've stopped shopping in this store as it regularly price gouges.  This used to be one of my favorite stores, but they've recently gone to the dark side

 

 

 

Don't know the prices for other things in the store but sadly it seems this is getting to be the new norm for Yamazaki 18, as crazy high as that is.

[b1gcountry]

Yeah, I agree. Prices on this are really high...

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[Clueby]

I passed on Ardbeg Kelpie Committee Release for $120.  Haven't read enough on this one yet.

[garbanzobean]

19 hours ago, Clueby said:

I passed on Ardbeg Kelpie Committee Release for $120.  Haven't read enough on this one yet.

I tried it.  It's similar to Corryvreckan, and about the same quality level.  I can't really see a reason to buy it for the MSRP.

[Clueby]

3 hours ago, garbanzobean said:

I tried it.  It's similar to Corryvreckan, and about the same quality level.  I can't really see a reason to buy it for the MSRP.

Glad I passed since I'm not a big fan of Corry. I'm more on the Oogy side.

[gusto16]

 
 

I passed on a Yamazaki 18 at the exact same price.

Also passed on a Miyagikyo NAS at $139


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[jvd99]

9 hours ago, gusto16 said:

 

I passed on a Yamazaki 18 at the exact same price.

Also passed on a Miyagikyo NAS at $139

 

Those 2 yamakazi were gone next time I was there

[tanstaafl2]

1 hour ago, jvd99 said:

Those 2 yamakazi were gone next time I was there

 

The last unopened Yamazaki 18 I have is left over from a few years ago and I paid less than $100 for it. It is good but is it $400 good? At this rate I may have to rethink my hard line stance against flipping...

 

Or just drink it! Yeah, that sounds better.

[jvd99]

I had one also a couple years ago around the same price.  It was very oaky and I'll never buy another at over $200

[GaryT]

Passed on several CB offerings (which were tempting, but didn't want to check a bag for them), including an older label Hedonism ("Vatted Grain" rather than blended) for $88, and a bunch of The Lost Blend for $100.  Was hoping to find more Eleuthera, but no luck.

[tanstaafl2]

22 hours ago, GaryT said:

Passed on several CB offerings (which were tempting, but didn't want to check a bag for them), including an older label Hedonism ("Vatted Grain" rather than blended) for $88, and a bunch of The Lost Blend for $100.  Was hoping to find more Eleuthera, but no luck.

 

Those older Hedonism bottles tend to have older whisky in them. Would be hard to pass up!

[GaryT]

2 hours ago, tanstaafl2 said:

 

Those older Hedonism bottles tend to have older whisky in them. Would be hard to pass up!

 

Well now that I've got to check my bag for this HW American Prairie finished in blended scotch whiskey barrels . . . me thinks I'll try to make it back that way this week!  Thanks for the heads up Bruce!

[savagehenry42]

Just saw a Laphroaig 10 for $72.99
WTF


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[garbanzobean]

24 minutes ago, savagehenry42 said:

Just saw a Laphroaig 10 for $72.99
WTF


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You sure it wasn't the CS version?  That's still high, but less ridiculous.  The last 18 I bought cost about that.  Admittedly, that was a few years ago . . .

 

Not trying to start a panic or anything, but I've recently wondered if B-S was going to start fiddling with Laphroaig prices.  It wouldn't shock me to see the Select at $50, 10 at $75, and 10CS at $100 eventually.  The 10 is still a great QPR deal in many markets, and we all know what B-S has been up to lately . . . Personally I have tried to stop buying their products whenever possible, but I don't expect anyone to jump off that cliff with me.  They make great malt, bourbon, and rye, and they unfortunately know it.

Edited June 11, 2017 by garbanzobean
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