I'm a big scotch and Cuban cigar fan.

These days I've been reaching for the Japanese single malts from my liquor shelf. Current favorites include Hibiki, Yamazaki, and Nikka.

I'm a huge fan of the 17, I actually like it better than the 21. That being said I'm looking to expand beyond the 17 and see what else they have to offer - thinking about whether it's worth it to grab a Yamazaki 18 for $175 or if I'd be better off finding a couple of sub $80 bottles. Haven't had the Yamazaki at any level or the Nikka so intrigued by both of those.

I just wish the 17 was available in the US at Japan prices - I'll definitely be stocking up on the 17 when I go to NRT this spring (got my current bottle in March for 8000 Yen which is a steal IMO)

Costco in the SF Bay Area has Hibiki 17 year. I think it was $130. BevMo has it for $150.

Johnny Walker Blue
 

I've never had it. The price on their web site is $229.

Is it really that good? Any way to get it cheaper than the list price? tls

It is available free in some lounges and some first class cabins.

Which ones? Maybe I can get my first glass that way. :-)

Johnny Walker Blue
 

Asiana first class lounge in ICN has it. It's alright, though I admit to not being the biggest scotch fan.

It's quite good. You can sometimes find it duty-free for cheaper, but the best way I found to source some Blue on the cheaper side is to check your local liquor store for one of the Collection packages. My local has a four bottle package of Blue, Platinum, Gold, and Black for $98. They are all 200ml bottles.

It's excellent. Whisky snobs will poo-poo it and suggest some brand with 6 syllables and only 2 vowels, but it's still great stuff.

Only you can decide if it's 'worth it,' but when I order whiskey that's what I order.

It is very good. And I don't know what liquor pricing is in your area, but it is readily available for well under $200 (750ml) in CA.

I rarely drink it. :p

This is what I thought, too. My recollection is that when I first saw it several years ago, the price was around $150 for 750 ml. I guess they've steadily raised the price.

Selling it at a liquor store very close to Union Station for $149.99

I regularly see it in the $175 range. Costco has it...

I've had it in a couple different F lounges. I tend to buy single malts so I've never actually bought a whole bottle of Blue. I have a bottle of Black at home if I ever get a blend drinker in my house.

I *almost* bought a bottle in 2008 or so: there was a period there where I was passing through LHR twice per month, the GBP was at about $1.40, and the World of Whiskies dutyfree had it for something like 120 GBP. I'm pretty sure it was for a 1L bottle. However, I used that time to stock up a wide variety of unusual single malts that I don't always see in the U.S., and I wasn't about to give any of my dutyfree allowance away to a bottle of JW.

Beat me to it. :D

Current listings from the NH liquor stores:

2748 Johnnie Walker Blue Label 1.75L $299.99
2767 Johnnie Walker Blue Label 750mL $185.99
2604 Johnnie Walker Collection 200mL 4 Pk $99.99