How Fucked-up is the LCBO?

Redbreast 12 CS is back in stock. Over 60 bottles available....all in GTA stores with ZERO available online or outside the GTA. Thanks LCBO.

@OdysseusUnbound Normally I would head over and grab one of the 4 remaining at the store near me, but I'm not able to go on un-necessary trips -food, medicine or hand sanitizer only (and patients only as a last resort).

Somehow, my wife doesn't see it as essential. If it were a little higher ABV, maybe...

I’m surprised your Canadian liquor stores are remaining open. Every liquor outlet in Pennsylvania/US is closed up until further notice.

@DaveM My understanding is that things are a bit worse in the US than they are here. However, that can change in a heartbeat.

@talexander The liquor stores are still open here. I was in today picking up some of my wife's favourite wine and there was not much observance of the social distancing rules going on. I expect they'll be shut down by next week. Watched that 2011 movie Contagion last night. Bloody hell, quite prescient, I hope it doesn't get that bad, but I suspect it's going to be some time before we get back to what we currently consider normal.

Considering the title of this thread. I'm going to say they aren't as screwed up as we may think. They've managed to become an essential service.

@PeterG7 Probably more essential to the federal and provincial governments. In BC, on top of their outrageous markups and built in taxes, the two governments share another 15% sales tax between them. Essential indeed.

@BlueNote Not as many people have a multi-year supply as we have on Connosr. the reality is that there are people who have a dependency on alcohol and if they are cut off they could have withdrawal and this could be more disruptive.

That said, they ARE reducing hours, and I certainly won't be visiting any time soon.

@Nozinan sad but true. The last thing the health care system needs right now is alcoholics flooding emergency rooms due to withdrawal. Even though my local store is in possession of 2 of my bottles (ordered and paid for Talisker 15 and Cragganmore 12CS) I won't be stepping foot in any LCBO. I called them to hold the bottles until this pandemic clears.

@65glenfarclas I think that was a wise decision, though as long as physical distancing is maintained and no one who has symptoms is either working or shopping (thank goodness the LCBO is unionized), I think the risk is low. I mean it is no different from shopping for food that way. I was impressed by the way we were kept apart at a grocery store a couple of days ago. And everyone was behaving.

@Nozinan luckily i can afford to order groceries for delivery - that's what my wife (she loves online shopping at the best of times) has been doing for the last 2 weeks. I did go into the LCBO in Stouffville last week to pick up a few liters of rum for a family member (who is not only a senior but falls into the alcoholic spectrum). Other than driving to my dad and in-laws to drop off the groceries on the porch, I haven't left the house in 2 weeks.

@Nozinan You’re right. My wife, who spent the last 6 years of her career as an addictions specialist, agrees that it is very much essential for some people. And while not necessarily essential for the rest of us, it’s certainly a welcome supplement in these stressful times.

@65glenfarclas BTW that Talisker 15 is dynamite.

When I go to the LCBO, I'm following the social distancing that we are practicing at the grocery store. One thing I do is wipe the bottle (s) down with a sanitizer cloth when I get home. I suspect, I'm not the only person who may have touched the bottles I just purchased. On another note. My local LCBO has a security guard outside. Not meant to stop theft, but to limit the number of people going into the store. Working very well. People are patiently waiting their turn. Another thing I noticed is no one is browsing. Get what they require and leave.

I really dig rye, but I guarantee I will never buy a bottle of Peerless at this “only at the LCBO” price point.

@OdysseusUnbound And it's not even 60% - can't use it to fight COVID19

@OdysseusUnbound even without the LCBO price jump, the Peerless rye & bourbon is selling at premium prices, even compared to many other small distillers. The strength of the hype is powerful, while I am intrigued by the effect of some of their methods (the exclusive use of sweet mash, low entry proof etc.) and I get their strategy price yourself according to the company you want to keep, I think some of it is taking the piss.

@cricklewood @OdysseusUnbound , saw it last year in NY for around $103 and laughed at that price. I have been tracking the sales and after 4 months 3 bottles have sold online. I doubt they have sold 10% of their purchased stock. Idiots!

The Peerless is delish - and it's not cheap in the US either. But $200 is ridiculous.

@cricklewood I’ve heard naught but good reviews about Peerless’ products, but there’s “premium” pricing and there’s “you’re acting like arrogant assholes” pricing. Oh well, lucky for me I’m not that hard to please. I’ve been drinking Jack & Ginger all afternoon while doing some yard work.

@talexander I don't doubt the potential deliciousness of the product, I just think the hype is OTT.

@OdysseusUnbound I am down with the Jack & Ginger.

@cricklewood To be fair, I feel the same way about Uigeadail and the LCBO. I’m pretty sure I rated Oogie 95/100 or 96/100 points, so I really think it’s a terrific whisky, but $175 or so at the KGBO? Come on, that’s really taking the piss, especially given that it’s regularly available in Alberta for $90-$105 and even cheaper in other jurisdictions.

@talexander Well then here’s to you, brother! (This killed the bottle....2:1 Schweppes Ginger Ale to JD Old No.7)

@OdysseusUnbound agree that Ardbeg pricing in Ontario is ridiculous but LCBO brings in a bunch of bottles a couple of times a year, and they sell out quickly. Who the hell buys them at those prices?

@OdysseusUnbound, for what it's worth, @talexander has been know to add ginger to many, more expensive whiskies...

@65glenfarclas Those who can't afford the flight to Calgary...

@Nozinan if you can't afford a flight to Calgary, no way you can afford to buy $200 bottles of Ardbeg!

@cricklewood plus the bottle at the LCBO is the 3 year bottle from 2018 I believe, the 4 year was released in 2019. Good work LCBO.

@Nozinan I do the same. I mixed at least one rye & Ginger with each of the 2017 and 2018 Lot 40 CS whiskies. And I’ve also mixed Laphroaig Cairdeas Madeira Cask with Ginger Ale as well.