1. Home
  2. Scotch Whisky Forum
  3. Lagavulin: where to buy in NYC; what's a good substitute elsewhere?

Lagavulin: where to buy in NYC; what's a good substitute elsewhere?

Although this is my first posting to this group, I did read the excellent FAQ's and followed a long thread of messages about the Lagavulin shortage. It's completely unavailable in my area (middle Tennessee), and when last seen here last year had hit about $70 per bottle. So the second question from the subject line comes first: what's the next best thing for someone who likes what one posting referred to as "confrontational" single malts like Lagavulin? I love that smoky flavor...who needs a cigar when you can kill two birds with one stone with a dram of Lagavulin? I've tried Ardbeg (don't remember the age) and it just didn't cut it. Is Laphoraig the next best bet? Something else? I'm dyin' here! The other question: I shall be spending several days in New York City this fall on business, so will seek out Lagavulin in liquor stores there. If it doesn't violate the non-commercial ethic of the newsgroup, can someone suggest a Manhattan store that carries it at a less-than-rapacious price?

Reply to
Xander
Loading thread data ...

I don't know of anything else *just* like Lagavulin 16. But the malts I like a lot that are filed in the same corner of my brain are the Talisker 10, Ardbeg 10 and the Laphroaig 10. The one sample I've tasted of a Caol Ila cask strength was in the same class.

If you haven't tried it before, I'd check the Talisker 10 first.

Can't help with New York City.

cheers.

bill

Reply to
Bill Van

Liquor Warehouse on Broadway and Astor Place. Not to be confused with Astor Spirits on Lafayette and Astor Place, which has a somewhat wider selection and somewhat higher prices. Both are worth checking out, but LW has the best prices I've been able to find in the city.

If you like Lagavulin but not Ardbeg 10, I'm not sure what to recommend. You may be ruined, which is understandable because Lagavulin is fantastic. Give each Islay a chance though. I was turned off of Ardbeg 10 and Laphroaig 10 the first time I tried them, but now they are two of my favorites. I find Laphroaig 15 very similar to Lagavulin, but it's not any cheaper and some (not me) consider it inferior to the 10. I just picked up Laphroaig's 10-year cask strength, and it's unbelievable. If you're trying to decide between a bottle of whisky and a week's worth of groceries, try Bowmore Legend. It's no Lagavulin, but it's not bad if you're broke and want something peaty. Liquor Warehouse has it for $16, and Bowmore 12 for $20.

-Aaron

Reply to
Aaron Couts

To be accurate, Aaron C is actually referring to:

Warehouse Wines & Spirits

735 Broadway New York, NY 212-982-7770

Aaron's right about pricing. In my experience, it's got the best prices for both liquor & wine, & a really, really good selection, although not up to that of Park Avenue Liquors or Astor Spirits.

WW&S is a great store & the staff is really helpful. Not to mention, free delivery in Manhattan for cases or multiple bottles of liquor where it's too much for a person to reasonably carry on the subway.

I work a few blocks from WW&S & am planning to go there later this week. Will check on selection of Lagavulin & other smokey drams & report back here.

Best, BFB NYC

Reply to
BFB

park avenue liquors at 292 madison avenue had it on saturday.

Reply to
fordp71

Bill Van wrote

This is an excellent analysis. There is also nothing *just* like Talisker, or, I'd say, nothing *close* to it. I don't think Talkisker tastes like Lagavulin. But in having peat plus an additional complexity that is extraordinary, it is in that sense like Lagavulin, and the perfect recommendation for a Lagv. fan. Lagavulin, Talisker, and Laphroig are three of my top favorites...the order of which changes constantly.

John

Reply to
J Derby

I agree, Talisker gives me fire, pepper and spices. I don't find these in Lagavulin.

Reply to
Brett...

Re inquiry about Islays in NYC, here are prices at Warehouse Wines & Spirits. The selection consists of an array of Laphroaigs & Bowmores:

Laphroaig 15 - $56 Laphroaig 10 cask strength - $57 Laphroaig 10 - $36

Bowmore Legend (10) - $16 Bowmore Mariner 15 - $46 Bowmore Dark (sherry finish) - $38 Bowmore Dawn (port finish) - $38 Bowmore Dusk (Bourdeaux finish) - $38 Bowmore Cask - $45

note: except where indicated, no age specified for the Bowmores.

Slainte, BFB NYC

Reply to
BFB

Re inquiry about Islays in NYC, here are prices at Warehouse Wines & Spirits (735 Broadway, New York, NY, 212-982-7770). The selection consists of an array of Laphroaigs & Bowmores:

Laphroaig 15 - $56 Laphroaig 10 cask strength - $57 Laphroaig 10 - $36

Bowmore Legend (10) - $16 Bowmore Mariner 15 - $46 Bowmore Dark (sherry finish) - $38 Bowmore Dawn (Port finish) - $38 Bowmore Dusk (Bourdeaux finish) - $38 Bowmore Cask - $45

note: except where indicated, no age specified for the Bowmores.

Slainte, BFB NYC

Reply to
BFB

They also have Bowmore 12 for $20 fairly often. And I think Bowmore Legend may be closer to an 8, although that's based on previous discussions on this list rather than hard knowledge.

Reply to
Aaron Couts

DrinksForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.