How Fucked-up is the LCBO?

@YakLord Thank you for bringing that to my attention. The only times I have seen this available before in any jurisdiction I was able to shop at the price was a bit higher. It's one I've wanted to try for a while. I picked up only one. FOMO denied. I suspect I will be able to try it in time to decide if I want another. FORO delayed. If I don't, well, one bottle should last me a decade, and if I run out, there will always be something else available.

You really have to hand it to the LCBO. They have Glenmorangie Grand Vintage for 1400.75 and have the audacity to limit it to 2 bottles per customer. Like, what colour is the sky where they reside.

@PeterG7 Well if I can't buy 6 bottles, then I don't want any. Frankly, it's a bit rude of them. How dare they limit my enjoyment of the finer things in life?!

@PeterG7 Did you want to buy more than two bottles? I can understand placing bottle limits on products which are under $200 and in high demand. A few products come to mind Laphroaig Cairdeas, the Spot Line ????, Blanton's, Eagle Rare, and Weller Antique. Yes, some of the KGBO's ideas on high demand bottles just does not make sense -ECBP(No Limit).

@fiddich1980 I was wanderng around the new arrivals in LCBO site and saw this particular expression. I wasn't surprised at the price as much as the limit of 2.

@PeterG7 in my opinion the KGBO has no clue regarding, the anticipated demand for brown spirit products. Their product knowledge/staff eduction is geared towards their wine selections. I suspect their store managers and purchasers rely on the advice of their supply agencies. They will only provide product information when ask by staff who are curious about their product lines. This lack of knowledge was something I encountered when I took on a seasonal position with them at one time in the past. The floor staff are more concerned with stocking/facing shelves, processing checkout, and checking ID

A recent inquiry regarding availability on a soon to be released product resulted in this response by a staff member, "I don't know ... you should check Reddit".

@fiddich1980 There is a staff member at our local LCBO who is actually very helpful. I've asked her in the past about the availabilty of a product that wasn't at my location. She took the time to check on the computer to see if it was available at another location and also to check with the warehouse to see if there was an expected shipment. That's customer service.

Saw this link on Reddit so I jumped to get it. Turns out this is not the bottle that you get at the LCBO but an NAS 53.1% ABV Port cask. Still going to get one but am now salivating at the bottle that the LCBO posted that will likely be double the price posted

lcbo.com/en/…

This is the LOt 40 that is available

i.imgur.com/MK55yQr.jpg

@Astroke Looks like the LCBO removed the 16 year and put the real bottle on the site

How Fucked up is the LCBO? Well, F'ed in a good way, this time ...

For some reason, this week, a FOMO-type sale popped up online on some interesting single malts (and other spirits). The best example of a "too good to miss" deal is Clynelish 14yo at $79 (actually $0.50 LESS than it was selling for TEN years ago in Ontario).

lcbo.com/en/promotions/…:@ec%5Fcategory=[Clearance%20Spirits]

The sale might apply for online orders only - when I picked up my bottles in-store, the shelf tags still had the "normal" prices. Find a store near you and use the "same day" in-store pickup option.

@65glenfarclas what was the "normal price"?

@Nozinan The current shelf price of the Clynelish is $104 (most of the stuff is ~25% off)

@65glenfarclas I will be picking up the Clynelish 14 for sure. Someone posted in Reddit that the clearance price is $.25 cents less than the LCBO price 10 years ago. Don't know if that a fact but sounds right.

@Astroke might have been me making that reddit post.

I started tracking the LCBO prices of (most) single malts in 2010. My first entry for Clynelish shows $79.55 when it sold out in July of 2013 (it re-appeared in Oct 2016 at the same price). That means the current clearance of $79.05 is 50 cents cheaper than in 2013 (maybe as far back as 2010). So, yeah, cheaper than 10 (or 13) years ago. Is that fucked up, or what? and Clynelish is one of the "good 'uns" to boot!!!

I also picked up a Loch Lomond 14yo (reasonable at $90) AND a couple more bottles of Benromach 15yo. Though not part of the clearance sale, IMO $119 is a great price for a 15yo in today's market. It's "only" 43% but drinks great at that ABV (obviously not the same but I think it's the closest to Springbank on the market)

@65glenfarclas Yes, I believe it was yours.

@65glenfarclas I’ve never had Benromach 15 YO but I’ve had the 10, and it is one of the few 43% scotches that I really enjoy.

@65glenfarclas A lot of stuff disappearing quickly during that sale...

Meanwhile, what may be the last release of the excellent Albert Premium Cask Strength is available outside of Ontario, but repeated inquiries to the LCBO about whether it will come in have been unanswered.

For those of us planning our holiday gifts, this is unfortunate.

@Nozinan don't forget that you have suggested I try some of the online liquor stores in Alberta. I realize that it is not cheap but the last issue of APCS is available at BSW Iiquor for just under 90 bux. The issue 4 is still available for just under 80. Have dealt with this company a couple of times recently and they offer fast safely wrapped shipping. I have not tasted either but have had bottles of this one before ie. issue 1 and 2 and they have been great. My bottles of 3, 4 and 5 sit languishing on the shelf waiting for a special occasion. Hope one comes along while I am on this side of the grass!! May have to buy a drinker soon

@Jonesz I have bottles of 1,2, 3 and 4 open. I enjoy each but I suspect the 1 and the 4 are my favourites. I also have backups of each. I am currently in talks to piggyback an order for 2 bottles (one for me and one for a friend) from Alberta, that will hopefully come in at under $90 each all in. If I like it I will either pick one up in Calgary or wait till the KGBO stocks it. Even if I don't get a spare bottle, with all the stuff I have open now, good stuff, I don't see myself finishing that bottle for 10 years.

@Nozinan sounds like you have everything well in hand re release 5 of the APBP. I have noticed reviewers that selected different releases of this product in blinds over well regarded American ryes some of which I suspect were sourced from Canada and finished in the USA. Not being rye drinker always want to have some of this on hand for special occasions. May have to get another bottle for sipping. Bought my release 5 about a month ago at a nearby MLCC for $80 plus applicable taxes during the Whiskies of Distinction day. There are currently 6 bottles in our local store. It appears that folks in my small town do not want to pay that kinf of money for a bottle of "plain old rye". Hope they never find out how special it is. Hard to visualize that your KGBO has not stocked it yet.

@Jonesz "Hope they never find out how special it is." It's a fine line for the aficionados of fine spirits: a) if "they never find out how special it is", sales suck, and the product is discontinued. BUT b) if everyone jumps on the bandwagon, prices skyrocket and few can afford it.

@65glenfarclas Your observation carries a lot of truth. Have observed these price increases/ stock reductions in the past.

Hahahahahahahaha lcbo.com/en/…

Glenfarclas15 is currently selling for $89.99 at BSW in Calgary! Looks like the LCBO may be gouging just a tad

Just checked Craft Cellars and it is on for $86.99 there

@Astroke Then new Glenfarclas 25 price.

lcbo.com/en/…

@Jonesz Fair list price but, best if purchased as a resident living in Alberta with the addition 5% AB TAX. The savings is minimal with the additional "13% ""ON tax"", for resident purchasing from Ontario, and shipping cost to Ontario.