Originally Posted by
invalyd
A few weeks ago I got a Hakushu 18 at Costco for below retail $265 after tax because the spirits buyer emailed me saying he has 6 bottles in his office and I was welcome to one if I wanted. I had spent some time chatting with him and expressing my interest in Japanese whisky. It took time, several months actually.
Just recently
james21_h posted that he was able to acquire Hibiki 21 at retail price from his bartender friend, who I'm sure he's spent many hours chatting with and supporting before that.
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Yeah that took some good work and favor exchanges (me hauling high end Kavalan bottles from Taiwan multiple times) to get to the relationship level we are at. If you be friended with the locals you will find they are some of the most generous people you ever meet. We both are whiskey fans!! Now every time I visit his bar I ended up with double the drinks I ordered
Now these days I think I get better luck ordering online or going to those Japanese auction sites for some NAS bottles like Hibiki BC I mentioned earlier.