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Discussion
Currently enjoying a bottle of Hakushu 12. Lovely stuff, very drinkable.
Might be splashing out on a bottle of Ardbeg 17 year old. Had a bottle a few years ago that set me back £100. This one is a bit more, but a good but less than the advertised prices. Can't believe it's selling for £300+ per bottle on the open market!
Might be splashing out on a bottle of Ardbeg 17 year old. Had a bottle a few years ago that set me back £100. This one is a bit more, but a good but less than the advertised prices. Can't believe it's selling for £300+ per bottle on the open market!
I'm looking to spend 3/4 days on Islay in August. Does anyone have recommendations for particular distilleries and tours to go on? I think Kilchoman, Ardbeg and Bowmore are currently definites, but not sure whether to just go for the standard cheap tour or whether spending a bit more for a special tour is worth it?
Also, does anyone know whether any distilleries allow dogs?
Also, does anyone know whether any distilleries allow dogs?
sjabrown said:
Might be splashing out on a bottle of Ardbeg 17 year old. Had a bottle a few years ago that set me back £100. This one is a bit more, but a good but less than the advertised prices. Can't believe it's selling for £300+ per bottle on the open market!
Depending what you mean by "open market" it may well not be selling for that price. Amazon is particularly bad for people selling bottles at vastly inflated prices that no one actually buys. Often these will be over twice the price that bottles actually sell for at auction. Best thing to do is check auction prices (and trends, you get the odd bottle going for much more/ less on occasion) and compare to shop prices. The auctions will show the real value. It seems that some companies almost do a "Sale or Return" type thing that is done with high end cars. Advertise at a much higher price. This slowly makes people think they're getting a bargain at auction or elsewhere, so they are willing to pay a little more than the previous prices it has sold at. Thus the price of that bottle slowly moves up over time. That said, not convinced it will work as well with whisky - there's generally a lot more choice and the market is being flooded with limited editions that are not really special, so it's more important about getting the right bottle if you are aiming at investment whisky like these sellers are ,rather than being able to manipulate it (IMO).
NRS said:
Depending what you mean by "open market" it may well not be selling for that price. Amazon is particularly bad for people selling bottles at vastly inflated prices that no one actually buys. Often these will be over twice the price that bottles actually sell for at auction. Best thing to do is check auction prices (and trends, you get the odd bottle going for much more/ less on occasion) and compare to shop prices. The auctions will show the real value.
It seems that some companies almost do a "Sale or Return" type thing that is done with high end cars. Advertise at a much higher price. This slowly makes people think they're getting a bargain at auction or elsewhere, so they are willing to pay a little more than the previous prices it has sold at. Thus the price of that bottle slowly moves up over time. That said, not convinced it will work as well with whisky - there's generally a lot more choice and the market is being flooded with limited editions that are not really special, so it's more important about getting the right bottle if you are aiming at investment whisky like these sellers are ,rather than being able to manipulate it (IMO).
I'd a nosey around auction prices, seems to be around the £250 mark currently (and I'd agree Amazon/whisky exchange prices seem optimistic at £350/bottle!!). I'll never be one for investing in whisky, simply a nice bottle to add to the collection and either sell in many years, or drink in many years time. Paying £175 for it which I think is reasonableIt seems that some companies almost do a "Sale or Return" type thing that is done with high end cars. Advertise at a much higher price. This slowly makes people think they're getting a bargain at auction or elsewhere, so they are willing to pay a little more than the previous prices it has sold at. Thus the price of that bottle slowly moves up over time. That said, not convinced it will work as well with whisky - there's generally a lot more choice and the market is being flooded with limited editions that are not really special, so it's more important about getting the right bottle if you are aiming at investment whisky like these sellers are ,rather than being able to manipulate it (IMO).
jammy_basturd said:
I'm looking to spend 3/4 days on Islay in August. Does anyone have recommendations for particular distilleries and tours to go on? I think Kilchoman, Ardbeg and Bowmore are currently definites, but not sure whether to just go for the standard cheap tour or whether spending a bit more for a special tour is worth it?
Also, does anyone know whether any distilleries allow dogs?
Laphroaig was the best tour that I did on Islay. We went for the more expensive one as you get to fill your own bottle at the end from a choice of 3 different casks. Also, does anyone know whether any distilleries allow dogs?
There were only 3 of us doing the tour and we were shown everything and even got to try a few shots of the pure spirit as it was running off the still.
Ardbeg was also every good as we were left alone in the tasting room and was told that we could try anything that was open. The cafe is also highly recommended.
The Kilchoman distillery is quite a trek and the roads are very narrow but it has a nice family run feel. I just had a look around Bowmore as I don't really like their whisky but the town itself is very nice.
krallicious said:
jammy_basturd said:
I'm looking to spend 3/4 days on Islay in August. Does anyone have recommendations for particular distilleries and tours to go on? I think Kilchoman, Ardbeg and Bowmore are currently definites, but not sure whether to just go for the standard cheap tour or whether spending a bit more for a special tour is worth it?
Also, does anyone know whether any distilleries allow dogs?
Laphroaig was the best tour that I did on Islay. We went for the more expensive one as you get to fill your own bottle at the end from a choice of 3 different casks. Also, does anyone know whether any distilleries allow dogs?
There were only 3 of us doing the tour and we were shown everything and even got to try a few shots of the pure spirit as it was running off the still.
Ardbeg was also every good as we were left alone in the tasting room and was told that we could try anything that was open. The cafe is also highly recommended.
The Kilchoman distillery is quite a trek and the roads are very narrow but it has a nice family run feel. I just had a look around Bowmore as I don't really like their whisky but the town itself is very nice.
sjabrown said:
I'd a nosey around auction prices, seems to be around the £250 mark currently (and I'd agree Amazon/whisky exchange prices seem optimistic at £350/bottle!!). I'll never be one for investing in whisky, simply a nice bottle to add to the collection and either sell in many years, or drink in many years time. Paying £175 for it which I think is reasonable
Sounds like you got it for a good price then, nice! 
George111 said:
They will all need sampling to ensure they've not gone off, but I know several chaps on here who can help with that and certify their current status. PM me for details 
Edited for accuracy, jammy_basturd said:
crmcatee said:
The two ladies in the tourist office there are really really helpful. Give them a shout and see if there's any dog friendly places.
Awesome, thank you.Gassing Station | Food, Drink & Restaurants | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff