Going to St Maarten - what's available that you can't get Stateside

[Skinsfan1311]

Headed back to St Maarten in May.

The title says it all.

Thanks!

[Kyjd75]

Once upon a time I was able to buy Blantons Gold and Blantons STFB on St. Croix, but those days seem to have passed.  Nonetheless I would give it a good look.

[Radioyada]

Having never been there, I have absolutely no idea.  Let us know what you find.

[smokinjoe]

Only someone who has been there before might know.  

[Shep]

Gulmohars Whiskey Paradise. Spring of 2018 I picked up all 4 versions of Blantons plus a Wild Turkey 13 year old.  

[MJWP]

I've been a few times ....as far as your question ...absolutely nothing . 

[Arkady]

Not a big bourbon destination. A friend brought back a Blanton's Gold for me a couple of years ago, said he didn't see anything else unusual.

 

Get in an Island Mood. Go check out the Topper's Rhum distillery. Great guys.

[Harry in WashDC]

I'd spend some time researching/cramming on rums.  Then, I'd be sure to budget time for browsing duty-free shops.  THEN, I'd check shipping laws/rules so in case my second suitcase can't hold everything and my hands are full coming home, I don't have to leave stuff in the hotel.

 

ALSO, some things available may warrant paying any tax or import fee.  For example, back when I smoked pipes, there was a duty on briar pipes.  I had loaded up on some Dunhills.  Knowing the rules ahead of time allowed me to explain to the US Customs agent which ones I would pay duty on and which ones I'd put in the "duty free" box.  I suppose the same would work for spirits - declare the expensive ones to be in the "one gallon" duty free category and pay duty on the rest.

[Special Reserve]

16 hours ago, Harry in WashDC said:

I'd spend some time researching/cramming on rums.  Then, I'd be sure to budget time for browsing duty-free shops.  THEN, I'd check shipping laws/rules so in case my second suitcase can't hold everything and my hands are full coming home, I don't have to leave stuff in the hotel.

 

ALSO, some things available may warrant paying any tax or import fee.  For example, back when I smoked pipes, there was a duty on briar pipes.  I had loaded up on some Dunhills.  Knowing the rules ahead of time allowed me to explain to the US Customs agent which ones I would pay duty on and which ones I'd put in the "duty free" box.  I suppose the same would work for spirits - declare the expensive ones to be in the "one gallon" duty free category and pay duty on the rest.

 

Back in the day I had a tech who was very active in the social Indian community.  He would go to Canada and get a case of liquor and just declare it on returning and pay the duty.

 

I went with him once and got 3 40 oz bottles and the duty was about $8 total.  

 

When I smoke pipes, (I quit in 1982), I loved my Barling and Stanwell pipes.  I had a couple of Dunhill pipes that I smoked to show off, but they weren't as enjoyable as the Stanwell chimney or the Stanwell Canadian that I had.

[BourbonJoe]

Last time I was there (bunch of years back) I scored a Blanton's Silver, a Blanton's Gold and two Wild turkey 8's.

[Skinsfan1311]

Thanks everyone!

We're frequent travelers, and understand the vagaries of purchasing and transporting liquor abroad.  If the right opportunities present themselves, I'll snag some bottles.   

Anything to do with rum is out of the question. I hate rum. I'll stick to bourbon & Scotch. Maybe a good Japanese Whiskey, if I can figure out what a good one is.

Thanks, again!