Costco is currently clearing out their stock of 40 year old single malt scotch whisky at $199.97. It was for $399.99. It seems the price is valid at all stores (at least in Illinois). Also, it's not on sale in all states, as one of the members pointed out, it's not on sale in Delaware. I would strongly suggest to call ahead and ask for Item # 746526 for inventory and also the price. Originally was selling for $699.99.
Also, please do not compare this with blue label or any other blended scotch whisky, this is single malt, which tends to be little expensive and smoother (at least for me). I have always loved Costco brand Kirkland's single malt offerings and I am pretty sure won't be disappointed with this. Also, the price might say $399.99, but ring up as $199.97 as price change might have happened recently.
Product:
http://www.costco.com/Kirkland-Si...01&refine=
Store Locator:
http://www.costco.com/warehouse-l...ogId=10701
http://tinypic.com/r/2qb59np/9
123 Comments
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let me ask you a question.. (take no offense, I dont mean disrespect)
In a different universe, lets say the Lagavulin was regularly priced at $799 and the Glenlivet 40 at $55..
Lets now say that by a stroke of luck, they dropped the price of the Lagavulin to $199..
would you think the Lagavulin a steal?
Now, coming back to our current universe..
What is it with this 40y old (assume for a second that it is indeed a 40y old) that is worth paying 4 times 16y old price?
thank you.
So to answer your first question - if the Lagavulin 16 was priced at $799 and dropped to the $199 price range, would I consider it a steal? Not particularly and that's with this caveat - the mass production of the Lagavulin 16 continues.
Part of the price of a significantly aged scotch is rarity - because of the real estate space that these barrels must take up, a distillery cannot afford to have them in significant quantities. I forget the total number of bottles that were created from the 1972 batch, but I believe there were about 1800 or so bottled. If then for example the Lagavulin 16 was priced at $799 and the distillery announced that they would be changing the recipe and dropped the price to $199, it would without a doubt be a steal.
You may question whether or not you can tell how long a scotch has been aged, which is a legitimate question and the answer to that is a most definite yes when we're talking about quality scotches. This has nothing to do with taste, but more the fact that production of scotch is heavily regulated in the UK. Scotches are divided into 2 categories - those with age guarantees, and those with no statement of age.
In taste testing, it is significantly easy to tell the difference between a young scotch and an aged scotch. A young scotch has a lot of "character" and thus the nose and finish tend to leave the distinct burn that would "grow hair on your chest" as the saying goes. As a scotch is aged, it begins to mellow out. In significantly aged scotches such as 25s and 40s, that character is close to nonexistent.
Now to answer your question of whether the Glenlivet 40 is worth 4x the Lagavulin 16 - it really is completely subjective, but for me it is a most definite yes. Each scotch has a very distinct nose and palate and in the years that I've been drinking scotch, I have never come across one like the Glenlivet 40. Is the quality "better"? Absolutely not. The hefty price tag is for the chance to experience the Glenlivet 40, and because of its relative rarity, it will of course no longer be available after the number of bottles have been sold.
Ultimately it comes down to this - I would have a Lagavulin 16 as my daily drinker. The Glenlivet 40 on the otherhand is a bottle I'd save for special occasions and if stored properly, you can expect to share it with your children and even grandchildren.
Alcohol taxes are very low in California. Why, I don't know. Sales tax high, gas tax high, sin tax low?
They don't want to hurt the wine industry, but don't know why spirits are taxed so low.
(Also, I believe it should be "it's past your bedtime", not "it's passed your bed time".)
Ohhh, my head,,,,
Or, if you're feeling adventurous try some Kilchoman. New distillery (first in Islay for like 100 years). I grabbed a 2014 release of theirs for about $28 wholesale and really enjoyed it, even with it's apparent 6 years aged. They should have a 10 year out pretty soon here, not sure of the price point.
I have the Glenlivet 18. I did this compare? I didn't understand the end of your comment.
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Anybody see a $55 Lagavulin in Atlanta area Costco? Please alert if you do.
Any liquor store can by a Barrell and get a free tour of the distillery and in return as a favor of buying a barrel the liquor company would bottle the liquor from that barrel with personalized name of the store
So to answer your first question - if the Lagavulin 16 was priced at $799 and dropped to the $199 price range, would I consider it a steal? Not particularly and that's with this caveat - the mass production of the Lagavulin 16 continues.
Part of the price of a significantly aged scotch is rarity - because of the real estate space that these barrels must take up, a distillery cannot afford to have them in significant quantities. I forget the total number of bottles that were created from the 1972 batch, but I believe there were about 1800 or so bottled. If then for example the Lagavulin 16 was priced at $799 and the distillery announced that they would be changing the recipe and dropped the price to $199, it would without a doubt be a steal.
You may question whether or not you can tell how long a scotch has been aged, which is a legitimate question and the answer to that is a most definite yes when we're talking about quality scotches. This has nothing to do with taste, but more the fact that production of scotch is heavily regulated in the UK. Scotches are divided into 2 categories - those with age guarantees, and those with no statement of age.
In taste testing, it is significantly easy to tell the difference between a young scotch and an aged scotch. A young scotch has a lot of "character" and thus the nose and finish tend to leave the distinct burn that would "grow hair on your chest" as the saying goes. As a scotch is aged, it begins to mellow out. In significantly aged scotches such as 25s and 40s, that character is close to nonexistent.
Now to answer your question of whether the Glenlivet 40 is worth 4x the Lagavulin 16 - it really is completely subjective, but for me it is a most definite yes. Each scotch has a very distinct nose and palate and in the years that I've been drinking scotch, I have never come across one like the Glenlivet 40. Is the quality "better"? Absolutely not. The hefty price tag is for the chance to experience the Glenlivet 40, and because of its relative rarity, it will of course no longer be available after the number of bottles have been sold.
Ultimately it comes down to this - I would have a Lagavulin 16 as my daily drinker. The Glenlivet 40 on the otherhand is a bottle I'd save for special occasions and if stored properly, you can expect to share it with your children and even grandchildren.
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Think of it as if you had managed to spend the night with one of DiCaprio's ex-girlfriends. You had an unforgettable night and had the biggest "smile" ever.
A month later you go out with Jenny from the office. You guys have a good time but your "smile" was not as big. And it will never be until you hit Leonardo up for a phone number again.
So now you're hooked on the good shit and depending on your finances and self control you are screwed as well. This is a one way trip, after a certain point there's no way back.
For example, if someone gives me a bottle of Chivas or Black Label. I'll pass it on to someone else. Mostly because I rarely drink to get drunk (anymore), just to appreciate the whole experience. And I don't want to waste the valuable space in my liquor cabinet with a Jenny. Specially because my wife would get pretty upset if she found Jenny in the liquor cabinet, but that's another story...
There you have it. If you find me somewhere willing to get drunk and nothing else is available. Chivas or Black Label will do. Red Label won't, because I know that there's a tomorrow. But that desire happens less often than a Seasonal Blue Moon (not the beer, look it up calendar vs seasonal blue moon). So, keep Chivas away from me! And Jenny too!