Best Place to Buy Scotch Online?

[BlackDog]

Hi everyone, newbie here (both to the site, and to SM Scotch enthusiasm in general).

Around me there I can find an OK selection of SM Scotch, but there are some things I can't find I would very much like to try, or, in some cases, the prices are much higher than what I've found online (I did recently have good luck with finding a bottle of Lagavulin 16 via the internet...$20 less than the mid-$90's at my local store, even with shipping). However, even that site was missing some of what I want (no Glendronach, for instance), and since I'm not sure all places are reputable, I was looking for some additional input.

Thanks in advance.

[snikt]

A local liquor store around me ships to other places and they seem to have good prices, it's not as big of a selection as specialty places on-line though.

http://davidsonsliquors.com/

[Islay Peat]

Nice link and this should be a stickied thread where we can all post our favorite places to buy.

[505Gibbs]

Originally Posted by snikt

A local liquor store around me ships to other places and they seem to have good prices, it's not as big of a selection as specialty places on-line though.

http://davidsonsliquors.com/

They won't ship wine across the state line per their web site so I highly doubt they'll ship liquor across it either.
I've called them about a cognac I was looking for - one of the few places in the US that carries it and atleast several years ago they said they would not ship.

[Islay Peat]

Some great Scotch prices from SFWTC - San Francisco Wine Trading Company.

[505Gibbs]

Originally Posted by Islay Peat

Some great Scotch prices from SFWTC - San Francisco Wine Trading Company.

Another great place in San Francisco is D&M!

http://www.dandm.com/

[snikt]

Originally Posted by 505Gibbs

They won't ship wine across the state line per their web site so I highly doubt they'll ship liquor across it either.
I've called them about a cognac I was looking for - one of the few places in the US that carries it and atleast several years ago they said they would not ship.

Hmm, didn't realize that. It says they ship to CO and a "few other areas", but it's not clear. Looks like there is some special thing about "allocated wines"




We only ship in state to Colorado,
and to a select few other states,
where it is allowed by law.
If you are ordering from another state,
please contact the store first, at
303-224-0444 to insure that your
state law allows us to ship your order.

We will not ship outside the United States

NOTE: Allocated Wines will not be shipped over state lines.

[michael]

The best one IMO: http://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies...ar-old-whisky/

[BlackDog]

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

[505Gibbs]

Originally Posted by michael

The best one IMO: http://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies...ar-old-whisky/

There's a new 'glitch' across the 'pond'!
I 'borrowed the from the aboves web site under shipping :
'Sorry for the inconvenience but... New aviation transport regulations are making it very difficult to deliver outside the UK, Europe and America at the moment, so you may find that shipping to some destinations is unavailable intermittently over the next few weeks as we test alternatives shipping routes.

We'll update this page with more details as they arise, so remember to check back regularly.'

Atleast for now - No shipments to the US.

[Islay Peat]

While talking about shipping, are there any restrictions on sending bottles to one another through the mail?

[505Gibbs]

Originally Posted by Islay Peat

While talking about shipping, are there any restrictions on sending bottles to one another through the mail?

I have shipped thru the US mail and with UPS when it was legal to auction spirits on Ebay. Having said that - if you go to UPS you'd better not declare you're shipping spirits and its a no-no with the post office.
How'd I do it - be VERY sure its well packed and try to cover up any 'gurgling' if the bottle is shaken that is audible from the outside of the package. A lot of this depends on the bottle configuration and the amount of air gap in the bottle - the less there is the less 'gurgling' should be present.
Fedex accepts liquor from dealers but I'm not sure from individuals.
D&M in San Francisco ships via Fedex and the package is labeled as containing wine or spirits.

[silverfish]

Originally Posted by Islay Peat

While talking about shipping, are there any restrictions on sending bottles to one another through the mail?

If you're talking about selling, it is illegal to sell alcohol in
the US without a license. Period.

If you're sending someone a gift, I believe most major
services have a "Hazardous Materials" policy which may
or may not include alcohol. Collecting on an insurance
claim for goods damaged in transit would be impossible
and may leave you open to legal hassles.

Which isn't to say bottles don't get shipped. Just be
aware of what kind of problems you could expect in
a worse case scenario.

[505Gibbs]

Originally Posted by silverfish

If you're talking about selling, it is illegal to sell alcohol in
the US without a license. Period.

If you're sending someone a gift, I believe most major
services have a "Hazardous Materials" policy which may
or may not include alcohol. Collecting on an insurance
claim for goods damaged in transit would be impossible
and may leave you open to legal hassles.

Which isn't to say bottles don't get shipped. Just be
aware of what kind of problems you could expect in
a worse case scenario.

It may be splitting the proverbial hair but when auctions were viable on Ebay you were in fact selling & no license was required. The only ones required to have a license and registered with Ebay were those that auctioned off wines.
You correct in the hazards of breakage and then being able to collect the insurance money.

[Islay Peat]

Thanks for the shipping information and if I end up needing to do so I'll make sure the follow the prescribed guidelines.

[silverfish]

Originally Posted by 505Gibbs

It may be splitting the proverbial hair but when auctions were viable on Ebay you were in fact selling & no license was required.

Technically you were selling but you were still breaking the law.
Ebay's "collectible container" disclaimer does not mean that it
wasn't illegal and the I think the fact that they (finally) shut down
booze sales (on the US site) shows they knew it was wrong as well.
I doubt you'll see the return of liquor sales on ebay US (aside from
licensed wine sellers.)

[snikt]

It's very silly, it should be handled the same way firearm sales are done on-line. I can sell a machine gun legally on-line but I can't sell a bottle of scotch, obviously stupid.

You are allowed to sell X number of guns before you are considered a dealer, I don't see why it wouldn't be the same for alcohol. If you're selling a couple bottles or something big deal, but if you're trying to move a lot of bottles then obviously you need a license.

[505Gibbs]

Originally Posted by silverfish

Technically you were selling but you were still breaking the law.
Ebay's "collectible container" disclaimer does not mean that it
wasn't illegal and the I think the fact that they (finally) shut down
booze sales (on the US site) shows they knew it was wrong as well.
I doubt you'll see the return of liquor sales on ebay US (aside from
licensed wine sellers.)

The reason they shut down is that 20/20 did a sting on them and got an 18 yr old to buy a bottle of vodka thru Ebay and when it was received by the underage person they had a story to do and hence the closure of alcohol sales.
Their disclaimer was in fact ridiculous regarding the value of the container and only a fool at Ebay wouldn't know that in fact spirits were being auctioned.

[hewins]

In the USA I have bought from these sellers with success: (I am in NY, FYI)

K&L Wines: http://www.klwines.com/
Park Ave Liquor Shop: http://www.parkaveliquor.com/
Ultimate Wine Shop: http://www.ultimatewineshop.com/
Binny's Beverage Depot: http://www.binnys.com/

I've had stuff shipped from all of the above (except Park Ave, which couriers it to me for free in Manhattan with a > $50 order)

I hope this helps.

Dan

[BlackDog]

The place I had purchased from was wines4today. They had quite a deal on Laga 16, as it was $60 before shipping. Right now the deal still stands, but if not it says their regular price is $65.

The rest of their selection was fairly limited though, hence my original post.

[silverfish]

Originally Posted by hewins

In the USA I have bought from these sellers with success: (I am in NY, FYI)

Sorry for getting sidetracked from the topic.

I'd also recommend:

DrinkUpNY
The Party Source

Shipping restrictions might mean they cannot ship to your state.
I also use wine-searcher.com - enter your bottle, country and state
(click the "ship to" button) for a list of results.

[valuetl]

I live in Japan and order local from these guys they will ship stateside:
http://global.rakuten.com/en/search?k=&tl=110619&sid=
I also ordered hard to find brands from the whiskey exchange in London. They really impressed me with their service. Less than a week to get a bottle from London to Yokohama !!

[gunnermcgee]

www.shoppersvineyard.com

[silverfish]

Originally Posted by gunnermcgee

www.shoppersvineyard.com

Last I knew SV does not ship spirits (store pick-up only).

[Islay Peat]

Originally Posted by gunnermcgee

Shoppers Vineyard
American Whiskey
Scotch Whisky
World Whisky

Made if easier to find the whisky sections.

Originally Posted by silverfish

Last I knew SV does not ship spirits (store pick-up only).

I tried calling and should hear back from them tomorrow.

[gunnermcgee]

Originally Posted by silverfish

Last I knew SV does not ship spirits (store pick-up only).

I used to get mail order spirits from them, but then they suspended shipping spirits within the State of NJ. I assumed they still shipped out-of-state to areas that it is legal to do so.

Peat, let us know what they say!

[Islay Peat]

Originally Posted by gunnermcgee

I used to get mail order spirits from them, but then they suspended shipping spirits within the State of NJ. I assumed they still shipped out-of-state to areas that it is legal to do so.

Peat, let us know what they say!

Silverfish was right. I talked to Shoppers Vineyard on the phone yesterday and received confirmation that they do not ship any spirits.