Bourbon Availability Downunder

[HighTower]

Troy,

duty is payable on any shipment of alcohol coming into this country, regardless of it's value. I have been charged duty on boxes with 2 bottles in them that had had the value marked as $20. I have had many packages get through unscathed, but it seems lately customs have been much more vigilant in charging those duties.

Recently I got charged import duties/gst totaling $800 in a 2 week period.

Scott

[TroyM]

Hi Scott,

As yet I have never been charged duties, But I make small sporadic orders so I have probably just been lucky. Your right about the $1000 limit. I read the customs website wrong and it stated that everything except tobacco and alcohol has the limit.

[camduncan]

I've also had bottles of 1 or 2 in a box pulled up by Customs.... Then, with Scott, we've had full boxes let through. There's no consistency..

[ACDetroit]

Hey Cam, do the X-ray or is it any random box? If I sent a Coffee Pot box packed well do you think it would be less likely than a plain brown carboard box? Just wondered?

Tony

[camduncan]

I think it's based of Xray and random inspection. They probably also look for obvious customs declarations like "alcohol"

[TroyM]

Im stoked. Just wandered down the street in my break and found a 94 EWSB.

[camduncan]

Great find Troy

[HighTower]

For sure, nice vintage! And considering the 1997 are mostly on the shelves, a great find indeed.

Scott

[TroyM]

Just saw the lasted Xmas brochure for 1st Choice Liquor. Wild Turkey American Spirit is in store for $124.90

[HighTower]

I will make an inquiry to see if we should expect Elijah Craig 18yo any time soon.

WTAS arrived at 1st Choice Friday last week, I now have a swag of the stuff. As well as my 2 US bottles (Thanks Oscar!!)

I was originally told 400 bottles were coming to Australia, but the boxes say 6,000 made it out our way - this shouldn't be in short supply......

Scott

[bongoman]

In terms of what is available in Australia, what would others say about the best bottles in the $40 - $50 range.

I've got open bottles of Bookers, WTRB and WT 86.8 but am looking for that sweet spot where price and quality are right.

I'm happy to buy the odd $100 bottle but I can't justify making them my daily pour.

I'm thinking that within this price range, Jim Beam Black and of course the WT101 are worth getting.

What else in this sort of price range for a curious Australian?

[camduncan]

Bongo, I always try and keep a bottle of the following on hand for my daily pours -

Makers Mark

Evan Williams Single Barrel (whatever vintage is current)

Elijah Craig

Bulleit

McKenna

Jim Beam Rye

The Rye is usually under $40, but is the only Rye sold in most stores in Australia.

I find this selection doesn't dent my wallet, and (almost) always gives me a choice to suit my mood.

[bongoman]

Well there's a nice shopping list as Christmas approaches!

Many thanks

[HighTower]

Cam's list is pretty good Richard, I would add Jim Beam Green label to it, I seem to have a sweet spot for it.

I also am a fan or Iron Horse, you can pick it up at Liquorland in Ballina for $29.99, occasionally 2 for $50.

If you want to throw a big contender in there this Christmas, pick up a bottle of Wild Turkey American Spirit. It retails for about $135, and is in limited supply. Currently the oldest bourbon available in Australia at 15 years, and they are limited. This stuff is awesome!

Scott

[HighTower]

Elijah Craig 18yo will be in Australia early next year, hopefully February if not late January.

Scott

[squire]

I'll never forget my first taste impression of EC 18. I thought someone had handed me an old cognac instead of a Bourbon.

Regards,

Squire

[HighTower]

It is probably in my top 5, so I am excited to see it coming here finally. I tried for years to get some sent to Australia, and it was worth the wait when I finally got it!:yum:

Scott

[TroyM]

I noticed that 1st Choice now stocks Buffalo Trace for $64. Great news

[HighTower]

I noticed that 1st Choice now stocks Buffalo Trace for $64. Great news

Nice find Troy!

Don't know how I missed that!

Cam - are you excited yet?

And if you're wondering if it's worth $64, yes it is :grin:

Scott

[TroyM]

They are in a reddy, orange box so they arent that noticeable.

[camduncan]

I noticed that 1st Choice now stocks Buffalo Trace for $64. Great news

Now that's interesting. One of the guys I work with (who is a infrequent member here) told me he saw Blantons at Dan Murphy's for under $100 this week.

Makes me wonder if Buffalo Trace have slipped in under the radar and started to distribute small quantaties in Australia.... or, these are being imported by Wollies from the UK market similar to what Nicks does.

Cam - are you excited yet?

And if you're wondering if it's worth $64, yes it is :grin:

Hell yeah I'm excited!!!!!

I always said if BT made it to Australia and was priced reasonably, I'd make it my everyday pour. If it's at my local 1st Choice, I'm going to need two bottles for Christmas

[HighTower]

Makes me wonder if Buffalo Trace have slipped in under the radar and started to distribute small quantaties in Australia.... or, these are being imported by Wollies from the UK market similar to what Nicks does.

I couldn't imagine Woolies with their size needing to do that. I imagine they have a spirits buyer who has paid Kris Comstock a visit or even gone as far as taking the distribution rights for Blanton's in Australia....they were looking for a new distributor for Blanton's down here.

I know our spirits buyer was in KY this year and paid Larry Kass a visit, I would speculate he visited BT but remained tight lipped about it.

Scott

Scott

[TroyM]

The 1st choice store I saw the BT at was the one in Tooronga Village in Melbourne. Might have to check the Ringwood store to see if the stocking is store specific. I would expect that if it is in one store it should be in all of them.

[HighTower]

I checked 1st Choice here today, they haven't heard of it. So it will probably arrive here soon. I imagine all 1st choice stores will get it, possibly Vintage Cellars as well.

Scott

[TroyM]

Has anyone had any luck finding old or rare bourbons from places other than the specialists ie Nicks and the commercial warehouse stores like Dan's and 1st Choice? If so, what sort of shops would you have the most success in? Old independant bottleshops/liquor stores or small independant licenced supermarkets?