Here in North Carolina, the State Government often protects us from things, things such as too much choice in Alchoholic Beverages.
Imagine my surprise as I picked up bottles of The Dalmore Cigar Malt and Caol Ila 12yo today. I have never, ever even seen the bottles before. Yet there they were on the shelf at my local ABC. Tonight we try the Cigar Malt. Tomorow the Caol Ila.
Yippee.
Maybe the Baptists are losing the battle??
chuck
Never tried Caol Ila? Man, you have been deprived NC sounds like a fun place nevertheless. Great music.
Peace,
Jock
I have never Caol Ila...
I hope you mange it someday. If you are ever planning a trip to The Netherlands I would be pleased to pour you a dram of Chieftains Choice Caol Ila with a Rum finish. Very nice dram indeed.
Peace,
Jock
Well, the Caol Ila 12 is really great. Close to, but not quite up to, Ardbeg 10 (which we also cannot get here in NC). Really nice.
But The Dalmore Cigar Malt was something of a disappointment. Really odd red colour, and a strange aftertaste. Wife liked it; I'm not certain.
You can't get Ardbeg nor Caol Ila in NC??? If you tell me you can't get Talisker either, then life wouldn't be worth living in NC!!
Dave S
For years we "made do" with Talisker, Lagavulin, and Laphroig, along with the usual Speysiders and Highlands. I was "importing" Ardbeg from Florida on my semi-annual visits to aged parents. But now we get Caol Ila 12, and I love it. Maybe I can talk 'em into Ardbeg next year.
Here in North Carolina, shopping for food and drink is pretty good, what with all the fresh food and gourmet shops surrounding us. It's just this state liqour thing that's a problem.
chuck
Ah, 'tis a fine dram indeed.
On another note, I'm shortly going to be in Scotland for two weeks and will be staying quite close to the Edradour distillery. I have some _serious_ restocking to do.
Jim
Interesting, Chuck, I live in SW Florida and travel a bit within the confines of the US. I thought the SMS supply here was pretty dismal until just recently when they finally open a liquor store that seems to understand the SMS story! Now I can get my favorites (which, by the way you mentioned above, Talisker, Ardbeg 10, Laphroaig and Lagavulin and of course Caol Ila) as well as more than just a few other good selections.
However, my all time favorite liquor store (so far) is in East Providence, RI. The best selection I've seen anywhere. At the end of this month I'll be in NYC and I'm looking forward to looking at "Park Square Liquors" that a few folks wrote about earlier in this NG.
By the way, I've been to NC more than once and have always enjoyed the people, the shopping and the dining.
DaveS
Now thats a coincidence. I am going to Scotland on the 31st of August and among other places, I will also be close to Edradour which I intend to visit. I will be staying in Meigle in Angus for a few days before going to Tain.
Peace,
Jock
I'll be staying on the north side of Loch Tay, near to Lawers.
Jim
DaveS,
When I used to travel to SE Florida to visit aged parents, there was a store over in Port St Lucie, I believe, right on route 1, that had just about every SMS you can imagine, including some independent bottlings. Only thing is, they are really expensive by any standards. Fun place to browse, tho.
chuck
Not at the Culdees by any chance? If so, then give my regards to Marcus Moon.
Peace,
Jock
That is Roy's in Ft. Pierce. It is expensive. I was there a couple of days ago, but I was so spoiled by Park Avenue last month , that I didn't get anything. Their selection is good for South Florida, but they still don't really have any independent bottlings except for some G&M stuff. They don't have Glenfarclas-the only place I've found that is in Palm Beach at a little liquor store.
I did go to ABC today and they did have the Caol Ila, which I hadn't tried. I bought a bottle. same price as the Ardbeg 10, btw.
Jeff
I live on the west coast (Fort Myers). The one liquor store that I've found excellent is called Liquorstore @ Fiddlesticks located on 13650 Fiddlesticks Blvd #201 Fort Myers, FL 33912 (239) 337-5711. It is close to the airport on the west side of Rt 75 off of Daniels Rd (for those that know the area).
I have tried to get Ardbeg Uiegadial around here since I've heard and read about it. I've visited and talked to about a dozen stores. They all took my name, phone etc and none of them got back to me - except the above. They had it in my hand with 5 days! I've been back there several times and they always are accommodating and have a good selection.
You're very correct about the prices being high, though. In Florida they must have one hell of a tax. Every bottle of scotch I buy here is at least $2 - $5 more than I pay in MA where I usually stock up if I'm driving.
DaveS
I lived in Utah for many years, now in Ohio--both have very antiquated laws, from which the states prosper exclusively and immensely. Fair enough. While I would never condone violating state laws, particularly those which protect us from giving my money to someone other than the government,...
...is willing to "arrange shipping" (at just $2/bottle) to any state. No rare finds, but all the staples are in place. Many others in NY and NJ operate similarly.
John
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