How Fucked-up is the LCBO?

@Nozinan Even the new Arran 18 Sherry cask is in the low $100's out west and if and when the LCBO get it should be in the same price range as the Mac 12.

whiskybase.com/whiskies/whisky/…

@Astroke Last time LCBO had Arran 18 it was $187.00.

@fiddich1980 That means the Macallan 12 is a steal of a deal, LCBO-wise.

At the SAQ Arran 18 is priced at 168$, I imagine the new version will likely increase a bit.

@fiddich1980 I rember that 18 Arran, I bought it in NS for $135. It was a limited edition if I remember. Looking at the new Arran quarter cask at the LCBO, they were $90 and cask strength. Maybe Arran's new re-tooling has led to some better pricing for the time being, even at the LCBO

@Astroke the Arran 18 I remember at the LCBO was the core range 18. It definitely, was not a special release. We are talking about the LCBO and their illogical whisky pricing.

@fiddich1980 for sure. That 20 year Arran single cask at 53% was $200 at the LCBO though. No rhyme or reason to their pricing I guess.

brother-in-law introduced me to Whisky Drop - their online shop prices seem much better than LCBO. (there is also a 10% discount for members and shipping is included).

Guessing there is a intra-provincial shipping risk but he got his first bottle. Sharing a subscription seems like the way to go in managing costs.

Intriguing and going to think further albeit it will cause a spike in 2020 purchases

Thanks @JayRain

A quick scan of the things I would normally look for suggests this place has better prices than Ontario but less selection and higher prices than places like Zyn in Calgary.

Not that I would know anything about it, but I've "heard" that zyn can ship up to 10 bottles for less than $60 shipping (plus tax), which is reasonable for things you can't get locally and blows away most LCBO pricing.

@Nozinan Same goes for Craft Cellars. A six bottle order is $9.60 per bottle for shipping taxes and insurance. Usually arrives in 4 days via Canada Post. Did you happen to see their current sale prices on Glenfarclas? Anywhere from 24 to 33% off. I was tempted on the 15 and the 105, but I’m trying to hold the line until I free up some shelf space...and some funds.

@BlueNote you appear to be in big-time bottle acquisition mode these days.

@Victor So my wife reminded me the other day when she insisted I get my overflow bottles out of her recipe book cupboard and move them out to the garage. Thus the hold off on the Glenfarclas. From my point of view, one can never have too much GF 15 in reserve, and I’m curious to try the NAS 105. And what with this pandemic we could be in for a long siege.

@BlueNote the 105 is a good choice for a pandemic at 60%. I picked up a bottle late last year from Zyn when it was On sale. But I have no room for another open bottle In my cabinet.

@BlueNote I have to grin when I hear the tales of cabinet space becoming exhausted. I have watched my sister buy, I think, THREE new pieces of furniture in recent years, just to be able to continue to house her up-til-now ever-increasing spirits collection.

Room to store all the bottles has been a big deal for me also, for at least the last 5 years.

@Victor yes, a bit of a marital bone of contention.

@BlueNote My wife doesn't want me buying any more whisky unless I increase my consumption...

@BlueNote, @Victor, good intentions.....I have not acquired enough shelf space over the years. Constant attention is required. When one lets work get in the way of all things whisky, it can quickly become untidy. I’ve relined the shelves to be better organized, ironically it has become confusing and difficult to recall the new positions as some of the shelves are three-deep. I should have things back to normal for retirement

@Nozinan @BlueNote

So why would anyone still shop in Ontario then?

Oof - this could be dangerous

@JayRain Or BC. The BC situation is as bad, probably worse, than Ontario. Most of our whisky money is going to Alberta these days.

@paddockjudge It's important to have something to keep you busy in retirement.

@Nozinan That's a bit of a Catch 22, but I'm sure you are up to the challenge. And you will definitely need to have plenty on hand to get you through those gruelling charting sessions.

@paddockjudge - That's the first time I've seen the shelving in all their splendour What a sight!

I'm seriously going to have to come up with a new solution soon as the wardrobe where most of my stash is contained is currently in the boys' bedroom and it won't be long before inquiring minds and sticky little fingers start investigating ...

@BlueNote Craft Cellars has the Herradurra Seleccion Supreme which happens to be my favorite tequila.

This is going to take some strength to not purchase.

@JayRain thanks for the tip, I’ll get onto that right away.

If any of my fellow Ontario Connosrs love entering LCBO allocation-lottos and “winning” nothing as much as I do, the 1792 Full Proof lotto is up and running at the Vintages Shop Online. I’m trying to land a couple, since $60/bottle isn’t bad for a barrel proof offering. I mean, it’s a moot point since I never win anything, but the price point is surprisingly fair, imho.

@OdysseusUnbound I remember a couple years ago (I think) this just showed up on the shelf - amazing stuff. I'll try to get a bottle too!

@talexander @OdysseusUnbound

You have infected me with the Lemming virus. I will try to enter the lottery as well.

@OdysseusUnbound, thanks for the heads-up on 1792 hi-test. I'll be passing as on this round, I'm not a fan of the standard 1792.

@OdysseusUnbound ".. it's a moot point since I never win anything." Ha! Except the 20 buck Arran 18!

Alas, I came up ZERO on the LCBO 1792 Full Proof lottery....