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This thread is about where to find whiskey in Japan. Extended discussion about where to find Japanese whiskey elsewhere is off topic and will be removed.

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Consolidated "Buy Whiskey in Japan" thread (was: Haneda/Narita Duty Free Whiskey)

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Mar 1, 2016, 4:55 pm

#286

kyee

Join Date: Nov 2009

Location: HNL & SFO

Programs: UA MM/Gold

Posts: 292

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jigen666

If anybody cares, Yamazaki 12's have been spotted in Costco Burbank in SoCal. $68.99 each. I'm guessing they may be elsewhere, too.

Cheaper than what you pay for them in Tokyo right now.

Thanks for the head's up. I drove straight to my local Costco in So. San Francisco as soon as I read your post. No sign of them there. I'll try a couple more in the Bay Area this week to see if they appear.

Mar 1, 2016, 6:04 pm

#287

Jigen666

Join Date: Dec 2008

Posts: 449

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyee

Here's a helpful hint. Go to the Manager's desk just past the cashier and ask him/her to check the stock at other local Costco's in the area. It will save you a trip. That's how I found the ones at Burbank (which is a 15 minute drive from the Los Feliz store).

Mar 1, 2016, 6:09 pm

#288

beardedmeerkat

Join Date: May 2012

Posts: 61

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkjr

Damn. Hats off to the buyer at costco for getting it and not ripping people off.

I talked to the Costco wine and Spirits people and they said they sell it at 5% more than what they pay for it

Mar 1, 2016, 6:11 pm

#289

beardedmeerkat

Join Date: May 2012

Posts: 61

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyee

Let me know if you find any. I've tried all the SF and Peninsula Costcos. I've asked them to check other stores too.

Mar 1, 2016, 6:12 pm

#290

Jigen666

Join Date: Dec 2008

Posts: 449

Quote:

Originally Posted by beardedmeerkat

I talked to the Costco wine and Spirits people and they said they sell it at 5% more than what they pay for it

Costco keeps a low markup due to their membership fees. But CA law requires them to sell alcohol to anyone with, or without, a membership.

Mar 2, 2016, 2:36 am

#291

LAX/HKG

Join Date: Mar 2007

Programs: UA MP, NW WP, AA

Posts: 719

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jigen666

If anybody cares, Yamazaki 12's have been spotted in Costco Burbank in SoCal. $68.99 each. I'm guessing they may be elsewhere, too.

Cheaper than what you pay for them in Tokyo right now.

Thanks. I will check the ones in San Gabriel Valley.

Mar 3, 2016, 7:11 am

#292

k66473

Join Date: Mar 2016

Posts: 1

Dear Guys

I am looking for OLD SUNTORY Whiskey in Tokyo.
Do you know where in Tokyo I could go and pick them?
I check the narita free website and it is not listed there.

http://thumbnail.image.rakuten.co.jp/@0_mall/asano/cabinet/suntorywhisky/sun-old-700.jpg

Mar 3, 2016, 7:16 pm

#293

chongl

Join Date: Feb 2014

Location: LAX

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Posts: 988

Friend of mine called Burbank store yesterday and they said they had 8 in stock. He drove over and there was nothing...no sign or anything. A supervisor told him it was an inventory error

Mar 4, 2016, 2:23 pm

#294

exerda

Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend

Join Date: Oct 2004

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Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond

Posts: 67,130

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jigen666

If anybody cares, Yamazaki 12's have been spotted in Costco Burbank in SoCal. $68.99 each. I'm guessing they may be elsewhere, too.

Cheaper than what you pay for them in Tokyo right now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by k66473

I've never seen that in NRT Duty Free shops, but I have seen it in grocery stores in the greater Tokyo area. Hopefully someone else has more recent & more useful intel, but I recall seeing it at a grocery store in Kanagawa Prefecture (I forget the town itself--sorry!) last year. Unfortunately, as far as availability goes, those few months are an eternity...

Mar 10, 2016, 6:54 pm

#295

Jigen666

Join Date: Dec 2008

Posts: 449

Quote:

Originally Posted by chongl

Friend of mine called Burbank store yesterday and they said they had 8 in stock. He drove over and there was nothing...no sign or anything. A supervisor told him it was an inventory error

That sucks! They had about 15 of there, when I picked up 3 of them. My guess is that somebody made off with a few using the 5 fingered discount.

Mar 10, 2016, 6:56 pm

#296

Jigen666

Join Date: Dec 2008

Posts: 449

Quote:

Originally Posted by exerda

Amazingly, VA ABC stores often have had the Yamazaki 12, and they sell it for $84.99 (last time I bought a bottle, it was only $70, FWIW). I just did an inventory search, and none of the ABCs near my house have it listed online--which is amazing given every time I stop in, I see it. Guess they're getting hit, too, with challenging supply.

I've never seen that in NRT Duty Free shops, but I have seen it in grocery stores in the greater Tokyo area. Hopefully someone else has more recent & more useful intel, but I recall seeing it at a grocery store in Kanagawa Prefecture (I forget the town itself--sorry!) last year. Unfortunately, as far as availability goes, those few months are an eternity...

Suntory Old (which isn't old) is pretty readily available at most big supermarkets. In Tokyo look for the Peacock Supermarket chain. You could also try Shinanoya.

Mar 14, 2016, 9:22 pm

#297

ldx29

Join Date: Jul 2010

Posts: 12

Hey guys, I'll be leaving Tokyo from Narita in about a month's time. Not wanting to take chances on the availability of whiskey at the airport or lack of it should I say.

Was wondering if anybody here been to the Ginza Duty Free shop where you can place an order and collect it from the airport duty free? Are the chances of getting a bottle higher?

I am looking at either the Yamazaki 12 or Hibiki 12.

I will be heading to the distillery in the Kansai region but will not be buying a bottle there as it will be too troublesome as I move between cities.

Any inputs are well appreciated!

Mar 15, 2016, 12:40 am

#298

Duke787

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Posts: 10,130

Have a quick overnight on Friday on the way back to the states. Staying at the Hilton Shinjuku but get in early enough to hop around a bit. If anyone has recent insight / spottings of Hibiki 17 I would be grateful.

I'll also report back on NRT stocks after I pass through on Saturday on the way out

Last edited by Duke787; Mar 15, 2016 at 3:30 am Reason: updating incorrect autocorrect

Mar 15, 2016, 2:45 am

#299

mkjr

Join Date: Oct 2007

Location: Left

Programs: FT

Posts: 7,285

Quote:

Originally Posted by ldx29

You can not buy either of those at the distillery. Taste, yes. Buy, no way. The gift shop is a relic of what it once was. You should buy the single malt 300ml bottles and the limited editions at the w shop in osaka.

I only stumbled across some hibiki 17 today. I'll have to suck up the 11800 price. Not sure if they givetax free.

Mar 15, 2016, 2:47 am

#300

mkjr

Join Date: Oct 2007

Location: Left

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Posts: 7,285

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duke787

Have a quick overnight on Friday on the way back to the states. Staying at the Hilton Shinjuku but get in early enough to hop around a bit. If anyone has recent insight / spottings of shining 17 I would be grateful.

I'll also report back on NRT stocks after I pass through on Saturday on the way out

I'm in shinjuku now. The bics suck for stuff of any vintage.

What is shining 17?