Duty Free

[Kangaroo495]

Dear FOHers! A couple of questions:

I'm heading to Oz next week, and I see there's a tight limit on the amount of alcohol you can bring into the country - 2.25L. Looks like I need to choose wisely at Duty Free as I plan to be on the sauce every night during my 3 week stay.

So I'm seeking some advice on what to look for at Duty Free. I'm a great lover of neat spirits - especially rum and brandy, and will also look for a scotch for my dad (who prefers it neat also). What do I need to buy? Zacapa's the obvious one, but I've had my fill of Zacapa for the time being. Would love to try something new

Secondly, I owe my mate a bottle of single-malt. The problem is, he's Scottish, so I need to impress him. What's a solid scotch that I could get for a Scottish person?

Cheers!

[westg]

Just bought back Jameson Signature Reserve 1ltr 2 bottles . I have never had Jameson before and I must say it is very nice and very smooth with no sour after taste (neat). Reasonably priced as well. If you have to be passing through Singapore they have Singapore limited edition bottles as well. Why not impress your mate from Scotland with a bottle from Ireland.

[Fuzz]

Giving Irish whiskey to a Scot? Are you mad?!

[Blakes]

Giving Irish whiskey to a Scot? Are you mad?!

Like giving a Chinese car to an American!

[Ryan]

Just bought back Jameson Signature Reserve 1ltr 2 bottles . I have never had Jameson before and I must say it is very nice and very smooth with no sour after taste (neat). Reasonably priced as well. If you have to be passing through Singapore they have Singapore limited edition bottles as well. Why not impress your mate from Scotland with a bottle from Ireland.

I'm not a huge Jameson fan but that's not a bad whiskey at all, generally a good price. Available in Duty free retail only.

[gigabyte056]

The Glenlivet Master Distiller reserve is a very good whisky IMHO, I take it neat and I like it very much, especially given the price in the Duty Free.

As far as Rums go, the new/rebranded Havana Club Seleccion De Maestors is very good as well.

If you like bourbon the Woodford Reserve is very good and affordable.

[westg]

Giving Irish whiskey to a Scot? Are you mad?!

Forgot to put a smiley face or what ever icon needed to say I was joking ..Kanga got me tho.

[markmurase]

For rum, I don't have any recommendations to top Zacapa.

For single malt whisky, the Duty Free should have plenty of excellent choices. Would be good to know what style your Scottish mate prefers. Talisker 10yo is one of my favourites, and is not expensive. For big, peaty whiskys you could look at Ardbeg. If you can get Ardbeg Uidegal or Ardbeg Corryvreckan these both score over 95 points and are superb. For the lighter style speyside malts, Glenfiddich 15yo 40% alcohol is very good and medium price. Glenfiddich 18yo 40% is extremely good, but more expensive. Plenty of other good whisky options, but those are some I've tried and enjoyed, and all have been scored 95 pts or over in Jim Murrays Whisky Bible.

Jamesons Whiskey is good and very smooth, but it's from Ireland, so I don't think your Scottish mate would be too happy with that.

There's my 2 cents.

Cheers, Mark

[paulF]

+1 for Glenfiddich 18yo and ron Zacapa rum 23 or 25. Also, if you can find Diplomatico Exclusiva reserva rum, you will not be disappointed

[TM-US]

How expensive is Japanese whiskey at duty free? The Yamazaki 18 yr. would be a great gift and very tasty. It is a single malt and probably not too popular in Scotland.

[Kangaroo495]

I like the idea of giving an Irish whisky to my Scottish mate. Would completely take the piss. But I owe him a single malt unfortuantely.

I don't mind spending a bit of money, so maybe the Ardbeg is the best idea. It sounds tasty. I'll keep my eyes peeled.

In regards to rum - has anyone had El Dorado 15 years? I tried some the other day, and I reckon it edges out Zacapa. It's from Guyana. I wonder if Duty Free shops even carry it.

[polarbear]

Try Bundaberg Rum

You'll hate it but its a good Aussie Drink

[Kangaroo495]

Try Bundaberg Rum

You'll hate it but its a good Aussie Drink

Love Bundy. I'm going to bring a few bottles back to Russia I think.

[Mr.T]

I am a big fan of the El Dorado rums, especially the 15. I don't think you can go wrong with the 15. There's a bottle of the 21 at the local store I am considering purchasing.

[TM-US]

El Dorado 21 is amazing stuff. Very very good. A different profile from the 15 though.

[fokker4me]

The Eldorado 21 is amazing stuff. Very rich and very syrup like a great dram for sipping on special occasions. The 15 on the other hand is thiner in viscosity and has a more woodsy character. Both are great and a good value for the money.