Liquor selection for sale onboard

[djefferis]

Just curious as our sailing comes up in a few weeks and we now have way too much OBC thanks to 2 large price drops after final payment…what is the liquor selection like on sailings in the “duty free” shop? (Sorry - can’t remember RCL name for it - it’s not the gift shop I know but the small shop onboard selling bottled booze/cigarettes/cigars and other such things).

 

Last time we sailed they had a decent selection of scotch and bourbons including some higher end stuff as well as the usual “daily” brands of Absolute and various Gin/Rums offered at 3/$30 or so.

 

With lower passenger volume, a significant increase in demand for spirits stateside and the so called “bourbon shortage” (reality - just hoarding amongst people afraid of missing out and some production bumps caused by non COVID things in KY like storehouse issues) - might be a good opportunity to grab a couple of bottles and set them back for a rainy day. Just curious how inventory/pricing has been on board of late.

[Biker19]

3 minutes ago, djefferis said:

we now have way too much OBC

Cash it out at the casino via the slot machine.

[djefferis]

I have no problem finding ways to spend OBC

 

Only flaw with your plan is you must “play through “ 1x - cannot just “download” a Hindu to machine and cash out same amount - you have to place at risk and cash winnings.

 

A typical slot - you might see 50-65 per hundred risk - possibly worse. Draw poker should put you closer to 75 and table games better than 90 on even money bets.

 

Trust me - if I was just looking to convert to cash - I know every trick to do it in a casino and pick up rewards for doing it too.

[smokeybandit]

16 minutes ago, djefferis said:

cannot just “download” a Hindu to machine and cash out same amount

What about a Buddhist?

[Sea Dog]

Someone had posted a pic of the bourbon on Adventure a couple of weeks ago. Looked like there was a decent selection. I did not see Blanton's even though I have seen it on other ships. I would see if they have it. If so buy it as it is allocated and practically hard to find anywhere.

[smokeybandit]

I saw that picture with Blanton's too, but by the time I was on board, it was gone.

 

Nothing really caught my eye anyway as being worth the effort of schlepping alcohol home.

[djefferis]

Auto correct - should have read hundred

 

Thanks for the update - would be surprised to see Blanton’s - I’ve seen it Pre COVID - as I believe RCL has a deal with the maker to feature their products. 
 

Pre 2020 stuff was hard to acquire at retail pricing of $70 a bottle - meaning make friends with the clerk at the liquor store - slip them a $50 and you’d have a few bottles set back for you and a call when they got an allocation.

 

Post 2021 the big boys absolutely are hoarding supplies and small liquor stores can’t get much of anything (in most states some state depart controls hard liquor and inventory/allocations to retail establishments- just like lotto tickets) - where before places would get a case (6 bottles) every 2-3 months - now it feels like it’s more like 2x a year if they are lucky. Even having some contacts in Ky where it’s more plentiful in the “wild” it’s getting tough I hear. Used to be able to drive across river from Cincinnati to Ky and get a decent selection most days - no longer the case. 
 

Oh and my thoughts on the additional OBC caused by price drops - I treat it like found money. I booked a cruise at a price I was comfortable paying - with 0 expectations of a price drop….if it sails at the exact price I paid - so be it…they said this is the price, I paid it.

 

Now when it drops it just enables me to do more than I would normally - I know going on what I plan on spending in excursions, drink/food and daily service fee. If I get a nice price drop - then I adjust - if an excursion. Is out there I deemed too pricey before - I consider it - if I want to gamble a bit more -  do it and of course if service is beyond the norm - I tip more generously than planned. To each their own - I know people who are more frugal with their found “savings” - but to me it’s a vacation and nothing about it is about saving - it’s a luxury. 

[Sea Dog]

2 minutes ago, djefferis said:

now it feels like it’s more like 2x a year if they are lucky.

I feel your pain. I used to be able to find EH Taylor in the grocery store. Now I'm luck to get in on a lottery to be picked to buy a bottle. I used to be in for the hunt. Now I'm tired of hunting. There are too many good bourbons out there that you can find anywhere. I have come to acceptance that I will never have a bottle of Pappy or some of the other coveted allocated bourbons. I'm ok with that.

[djefferis]

11 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

I saw that picture with Blanton's too, but by the time I was on board, it was gone.

 

Nothing really caught my eye anyway as being worth the effort of schlepping alcohol home.

Exactly - the more common stuff…to me saving $4 a bottle is not worth it - buying 4 bottles, packing and flying with them is not worth the 4 for the price of 3 savings. 
 

JW Blue for example I’ve seen on practically every cruise I’ve been on at between $165-235 a bottle - at home it’s like $250 I think. Don’t know exactly - don’t drink it (Black is fine by me - the few times I’ve drank it, other brands of less advertised single malt better to my unrefined pallet). I mean if you like the stuff - I guess it’s a good deal - but how “rare” and in demand can it be when every ship in the fleet has a steady supply ? Again - to each their own taste - I rarely drink, but being able to pick up a scarce bottle or 2 and share come the holidays is nice.

[djefferis]

PVW to me is hype.

 

Funny how Weller was plentiful - until it wasn’t when everyone figured out it was a close cousin to PVW - now those $40 bottles cost $100.

 

Yes - a lot of good bourbons out there of your a connoisseur of the stuff. And the prices aren’t stupid high on everything- just those that get the hype behind them.

 

Whistle Pig is one I want to try sometime soon - never really tried Rye - but hear good things. Of course you see those bottles of Boss Hog nearing 4 digits and you know it’s getting hyped.

[dominicr]

6 minutes ago, djefferis said:

PVW to me is hype.

 

Funny how Weller was plentiful - until it wasn’t when everyone figured out it was a close cousin to PVW - now those $40 bottles cost $100.

 

Yes - a lot of good bourbons out there of your a connoisseur of the stuff. And the prices aren’t stupid high on everything- just those that get the hype behind them.

 

Whistle Pig is one I want to try sometime soon - never really tried Rye - but hear good things. Of course you see those bottles of Boss Hog nearing 4 digits and you know it’s getting hyped.

100% agree.  I’ve had the van winkles and they are good….I’d pay msrp but not a penny more.  They aren’t worth the aftermarket price.   
 

whistle pig is very good.  I have all their bottles now except this past years boss hog.  The 18 year double malt is by far one of the best ryes I have ever had 

[smokeybandit]

Pappy was great, but I see no reason to spend that kind of money on a whiskey that while excellent, isn't that much better than much cheaper varieties.

[flamingos]

They used to have a Balvenie 16 Caribbean Cask that I could not find in our local liquor store, so I always made sure to buy one.

[smokeybandit]

I did see Johnny Walker Island Green which I had never seen before. But after a quick google, it was just Green with a little peat mixed in.

If I want peat and smoke I can find something much better than that.

[deliver42]

I've sailed all the major lines except Holland, and I've found that Royal  and NCL have the best selection of any liquor on board. Princess was the worst, and most expensive.

[djefferis]

27 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

I did see Johnny Walker Island Green which I had never seen before. But after a quick google, it was just Green with a little peat mixed in.

If I want peat and smoke I can find something much better than that.

That’s part of my dislike for JW - so many “special editions” - all that are just minor tweaks of the standard and labeled as something “special” - the only thing special about them is the inflated price and the more attractive box they come in. 
 

Blanton’s has followed the same trend though - originally you had Blanton’s (USA only) - Blanton’s Gold (export only) and Blanton’s Green (export only - a less pricey bottle for more “sensitive” price markets and then comes SFTB (export only straight from the Cask for higher proof) - now you get all the special editions and the “Japanese select” stuff and it feels like ever variation is popping up in US land based stores - at least in their flyers telling you to sign up for the “special lottery to win the right to buy”.

 

I still don’t understand the idea that someone the Japanese market demands only the “best” - yes, in years past they were more selective and had specific criteria in what they wanted for their customers.

 

At the same time - call “cork sniffing” what it is - the idea that a certain group is always “right” or “better” is just wrong. It’s like people with certain countries and their cars - yes, historically Germany and Japan builders have been more reliable and better built. Doesn’t mean Mercedes hasn’t built a bad one or I can’t pick you a Toyota model that won’t be a headache to own - just as a “Big 3” build isn’t always a disposable car or anything out of SE Asia is bound to be low end junk. But certain car buyers would have you believe it - because they fall for it - they would have you believe it too.

[tserface]

4 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

What about a Buddhist?

That made me LOL... thanks for the chuckle.

[FPP777]

7 hours ago, dominicr said:

100% agree.  I’ve had the van winkles and they are good….I’d pay msrp but not a penny more.  They aren’t worth the aftermarket price.   
 

whistle pig is very good.  I have all their bottles now except this past years boss hog.  The 18 year double malt is by far one of the best ryes I have ever had 

 

I've had most of the Van Winkle Family. I would take a George T  Stagg over any of them any day.

[GTO-Girl]

We just got off the 2 day Mariner test cruise and they had Blantons!! 

[djefferis]

Good to hear - hopefully they have plenty of stock fleet wide.

 

Funny to me how US can’t keep the stuff in stock - but UK based in blind sellers ALWAYS seem to have plenty available for really not much more than it cost here (by the time you factor in the additional duty/VAT) - if only shipping back wasn’t as much as the price of a bottle.

[dominicr]

12 hours ago, GTO-Girl said:

We just got off the 2 day Mariner test cruise and they had Blantons!! 

If liberty has it onboard for the October 3rd cruise….and it actually goes….I will buy whatever the limit is of it as long as it’s under 100 a bottle.  In St. Louis you’re lucky to see it at around 250 a bottle. 

[mayleeman]

15 hours ago, GTO-Girl said:

We just got off the 2 day Mariner test cruise and they had Blantons!! 

What was the price? Bought 3 bottles in SD in May for $139. Here in SC, they are $249 if you can even find it!

Edited August 16, 2021 by mayleeman

[dominicr]

1 hour ago, mayleeman said:

What was the price? Bought 3 bottles in SD in May for $139. Here in SC, they are $249 if you can even find it!

Someone on a live thread said they were 90 a bottle 

[Bellfree Bat]

5 hours ago, dominicr said:

Someone on a live thread said they were 90 a bottle 

$90 on the ship? That's crazy! It's $60 plus tax here in VA. Yes, it's allocated and you have to watch when your store gets their delivery but it shows up about once a month. We did get some Oct 2019 on an RCCL ship and they price matched our state ABC store but it was only by a few bucks a bottle, not $30!

[djefferis]

Well - if there’s a buyer at 250 out there - guess $90 ain’t bad…

 

Like I said - so many “varieties” these days - Original, gold, green, black, you name it - only thing they have in common is scarcity.