Beware - Counterfeit Single Malts

I recently purchased a bottle of Macallan 30 Years Old, blue label from someone on craigslist for a very low price. Being the skeptic that I am, I felt that when something is too good to be true it usually is'nt, so I tried to do so research to better arm myself with before I actually bought it. The more I looked into it, the more confused I became. No one in the area, (SF bay area), has any in stock, so looking at an actual bottle was out of the question. Online pictures only helped somewhat; some labels were dark blue, some light blue. I did figure out though, that's caused by the flash, when the picture is taken. I went ahead and bought it anyway. Soon after, I ran across someone auctioning a bottle on eBay, who stopped the auction with no sale. I contacted the individual to find out why he pulled the auction. Counterfeit bottle was the response and he proceeded to forward me info on how to detect the real deal. Thank my lucky stars, but my bottle was legit, and I'd gotten it for only $250.00. I'm posting a link to site called "War On Whisky Fakers" at whiskyfun. Tons of info and pictures of counterfeit single malts. It's outrageous what's happening out there. Let the buyer beware.

http://www.whiskyfun.com/war1.html

[Arctic Wolf]

That is a great link, which highlights a big problem for collectors like myself. When I purchase a vintage whisky (or rum) I always ask the seller to prove the bottle is what he says it is. If I do not have a trail of receipts back to the original store of purchase, I do not buy the bottle. If I do not have documented proof of proper storage, I do not buy the bottle. If the seal looks dodgy in any way, I do not buy the bottle. And if the person selling the bottle has no knowledge of why these points are important, I do not buy the bottle.

This means that absolutely nothing on Ebay interests me, in fact about 99 % of all items offered for sale do not interest me. Over time I suspect all serious collectors will follow suit as it is too easy to fake labels or reseal opened bottles.