I have a family member who lives in the UK and is visiting the states later this year. I thought it might be fun to have some bourbon or scotch that isn’t readily available in the US. Does anybody have suggestions?

Eagle Rare

Seems to be readily available right now, not the norm

Do you mean something that isn't available in the UK?

I can't even get a lot of the better bourbons here in the US, so I imagine they won't be readily available in the UK. See what you can find - Blanton's, Weller, etc. It may be hard even here.

I mean stuff not available in the US

He means can anyone suggest a good Bourbon or Scotch that is not sold in the US that his friend can bring when he visits.

Like having someone pick up Cuban cigars when they visit another country where they are available

The bourbon distilleries here export a lot of their good stuff for top dollar. He may well have a better selection of it than I do, but likely more expensive.

I believe that Blanton's has several export only releases. There are many distillery releases sold in Scotland and Ireland. Look at the YT channel Whiskey Jason in Germany. I would like the Bud Spencer whiskey from Germany. The reviews are that it is 'okay'. I would like to drink that while watching his movies.

I'd go Irish there's Redbreast and Quiet Man releases that don't make it to the states.

quote:

Originally posted by 400m:
I mean stuff not available in the US

Is there bourbon you can get in GB that we don't have here? I am sure that there are some bourbons made in GB, but that is an American style.

Now, there are certainly going to be some Scots or Irish whiskies he may be able to bring. I haven't seen Lagavulin 16 in a long time, so if he were my guest, I'd ask about that.

For bourbon he might find Blanton's Gold or Straight From the Barrel. Perhaps an age stated Wild Turkey in a euro shop or at duty free. There might be an age stated Evan Williams bottle unavailable in the US.

With scotch you open an entire world of single cask offerings that are specific to stores. Maybe think about something you really enjoy and nosing around some of the bigger UK shops with an online presence and have your friend grab a bottle or three that sound good to you. I generally don't recommend specific bottles of scotch without knowing what people like because my likes tend to be things that some just can't drink. Masters of Malt, Whisky Exchange, Cadenheads shops, and more are options. They all seem to have quick delivery in the UK if you find something that isn't local to your friend.

12 years ago, I gave my buddy a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle 20yr bourbon for his 50th birthday. Really great bourbon that cost around $145 per bottle then.

A little more pricey these days...

quote:

Originally posted by 12GA:
12 years ago, I gave my buddy a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle 20yr bourbon for his 50th birthday. Really great bourbon that cost around $145 per bottle then.

A little more pricey these days...

Pappy, as you probably know, is damn near unobtanium at any price.

We use to drink it frequently back in the day. Wish I’d bought a case back then.

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:

Pappy, as you probably know, is damn near unobtanium at any price.

It’s readily available if you’re willing to pay. Many people are willing to pay.

Scotch is probably a much better choice for something not easily obtained. My friend waited almost a year for a bottle of Pappy. I’d much rather have Buffalo Trace or Eagle Rare.

quote:

Originally posted by 400m:
Scotch is probably a much better choice for something not easily obtained. My friend waited almost a year for a bottle of Pappy. I’d much rather have Buffalo Trace or Eagle Rare.

there is not a bottle of any size of either of the above in the VA ABC system,

yet I know folks in the midwest and west coast that say the likker stores have stacks of Buff Trace,,

A Bourbon isn't a Bourbon unless it's made in America.

If he lives in the UK, why not have a good American Bourbon?

I'm sure he can get Scotch and Whiskey from "across the pond" that's hard or impossible to get here. But what are the chances he can get a Col Taylor, Barrel Bourbon, Eagle Rare, Weller, Willet... over there?

quote:

Originally posted by lyman:

quote:

Originally posted by 400m:
Scotch is probably a much better choice for something not easily obtained. My friend waited almost a year for a bottle of Pappy. I’d much rather have Buffalo Trace or Eagle Rare.

there is not a bottle of any size of either of the above in the VA ABC system,

yet I know folks in the midwest and west coast that say the likker stores have stacks of Buff Trace,,

You mean the basic, $25 a bottle Buffalo Trace? Pretty readily available around here. Between the 3 BevMo’s within 20 minutes drive there are 81 bottles of that in stock.

As mentioned previously the big ones that come to mind are the Blanton's variations or Wild Turkey Father and Son. My sister will be heading to the UK soon to visit with her in-laws and I was encouraged to see what I could find online, and possibly order it and have it shipped to my BIL's mom & dad's house and they can bring it back. I might be able to request the VAT back once the bottle is brought back into the US, but I would have to pay for it initially.

I’m a fan of Eagle Rare, seems to be much more attainable now than it was. Don’t rule out a good Rye either