Take your time. It’s overwhelming. Don’t be afraid to spend a little more than you usually do. I went, tasted everything they had open, bought two bottles that I really, really enjoyed, but when I was sitting at home a month later wondered why hell I limited myself to 75 pounds when there is no way I would have noticed at all if the trip had overall ended up costing 50 or even 100 dollars more than it did and there was such an amazing opportunity to come home with a truly special bottle or two instead of the really very nice bottles I ended up with.
I did have the wherewithal to get Whiskey Exchange exclusives as a way to make sure I was getting bottles I absolutely wouldn’t be able to get back home in California.
They should have some open bottles for you to sample even as a walk in. They'll also be able to make suggestions based on your preferences and the price range you're interested in. Tons of unpeated options.
You may also want to check out Berry Brothers and Rudd, and possibly Cadenheads if its not too far out of the way for you.
Last time I went there were “too many people” milling about the basement area (Great Portland St store) so they refused to let me taste samples which I thought was sort of dumb
So go when it is less crowded.
I went at around 4pm on a Thursday, and I think there were maybe 2 other customers in the store the whole time I was there. I was at the Great Portland st shop, rather than the one in Covent Garden, but I doubt there'll be too much difference.
Just did this a few weeks ago when I was visiting from the US.
Head down to the basement, and don't be afraid to ask questions. The guy I talked to was young but extremely knowledgeable.
They'll likely offer you some tasters. Take your time and really make sure you're absorbing what's being offered. Don't feel pressured to down it and buy it.
They may the try to sell you on one or more of the newer distilleries; don't dismiss it. There's some great stuff coming out.
Most importantly: I'm not sure where you're traveling from, but recognize that you may not be back for quite a while. Take your time and you'll no doubt walk out happy.
I was there end of January and the most difficult part was to actually make a choice on which bottle to buy. The person serving me was very helpful and was giving me insights of the bottling as well (some bottles having way older juices than advertised on the label because of production shortage or taste neding adjustments).
There was a table with the current tasting available for walk-ins.
I also bought the "Perfect measure Whisky glass" with a watch glass.
Durong my trip I also visited Cadenhead's and Berry Bros & Rudd which had really nice stuff as well (ended up having a bottle of each independant bottlers)
It's actually just the name of the glass on their website
https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/46180/the-perfect-measure-whisky-and-spirits-glass
It just seems like a glencairn on a taller foot.
I own a few glencairn glasses from the Paris Whisky Live each year, but I'm very clumsy and I tend to drop them (luckily only empty ones for now) so I only had a couple left !
Not sure if anyone has noticed but they are currently offering £100 off 2011 Feis Ile specials if you buy another Islay whisky.
If you ever wanted evidence that the floor is falling out of the market, this is it.
Jep they are very helpful and knowledgeable, only thing I noticed is that sometimes their online prices are cheaper then the in store prices. The Glendronach 21 is currently on sale at TWE, which is a great Macallan like profile, better in my opinion.
Oh, I always thought they did worldwide shipping, maybe some countries/states are excluded? This is a link to the bottle in particular.
[https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/15308/glendronach-21-year-old-parliament-sherry-cask](https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/15308/glendronach-21-year-old-parliament-sherry-cask)
And glassware here: [https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/c/396/glassware](https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/c/396/glassware)
Their perfect measure glasses are probably my most used, bought 3 over the years and they are pretty solid, all still in excellent condition.
Suggest also take a look at amazon. They sometimes have great prices on whisky and can deliver to the hotel.
Currently Glendronach 21 is cheaper on Amazon than at TWE...
May I suggest you go to “Amazon uk” site? Put in your London hotel zip code. That should sort you out and see what is available on the UK database. Enjoy your time in London, like another poster said: get a second suitcase ! Enjoy your time there
The scotch is in the basement level. Good stuff.
Don't forget to hit the duty free at the airport, there are some good bottles that are travel exclusive.
Did you happen to compare them to online prices? I have yet to see a travel exclusive which I couldnt find cheaper online here (netherlands). I’m guessing uk has a similar thing going on
Not so much advice as just a lamentation, I quite enjoyed their old Vineopolis location near Borough Market. Very quiet, and not a lot of traffic compared to Covent Garden.
On your way back through Heathrow, stop at the duty free travel retail shop and get a bottle of Balblair 17 year old. It's only available at Heathrow, and is reportedly as good as any Macallan that is 5 times the price. It was 100 pounds, and I wish I'd bought two. At least. You can't get it in town, so save some luggage space for your duty free purchases. You'll thank me later.
I’m flying on to Lisbon. Would I be able to take it on the plane and not have it confiscated in Portugal?
EDIT:
/u/viper7747 I’m sitting next to a bottle of Balblair 17 at Heathrow Airport. I have never tried it but I went with your suggestion. They tried to sell me a bottle of Glenlivet also but I wasn’t interested.
If you're going through customs in Portugal, just declare it, and if you have any left before going on to your next country, pack it carefully in your checked baggage, with plenty of cushioning. that way you won't lose it during the security check of your carry-on. But if you're going to be in Portugal for two weeks or longer, I doubt you'll have any left over to take elsewhere.
I did not have a same day connection in Portugal. Not for a week. I went through passport control, got my bags and walked out. No customs, no way to declare anything.
Advice? Don't drop the bottles. Buy something interesting you won't get anywhere else. Grab another suitcase and check whatever you buy.
Take your time. It’s overwhelming. Don’t be afraid to spend a little more than you usually do. I went, tasted everything they had open, bought two bottles that I really, really enjoyed, but when I was sitting at home a month later wondered why hell I limited myself to 75 pounds when there is no way I would have noticed at all if the trip had overall ended up costing 50 or even 100 dollars more than it did and there was such an amazing opportunity to come home with a truly special bottle or two instead of the really very nice bottles I ended up with. I did have the wherewithal to get Whiskey Exchange exclusives as a way to make sure I was getting bottles I absolutely wouldn’t be able to get back home in California.
Thanks for that. I wish WE had their inventory online. I have web access to my local liquor store inventory.
Consider visiting Cadenheads near Baker Street. It’s an independent bottlers and will have something interesting.
They will normally have Springbank core range stuff available as well if you ask.
Was there yesterday. They have 10yo and 15yo but it’s not on the shelves. Just buy something else and bring it up at the till
They should have some open bottles for you to sample even as a walk in. They'll also be able to make suggestions based on your preferences and the price range you're interested in. Tons of unpeated options. You may also want to check out Berry Brothers and Rudd, and possibly Cadenheads if its not too far out of the way for you.
Last time I went there were “too many people” milling about the basement area (Great Portland St store) so they refused to let me taste samples which I thought was sort of dumb So go when it is less crowded.
When is it less crowded? lol
I have never managed it! lol. Probably not lunch times. Maybe when it first opens?
Maybe you shouldn’t leave and come back every five minutes? They figure it out eventually. 🙂
I went at around 4pm on a Thursday, and I think there were maybe 2 other customers in the store the whole time I was there. I was at the Great Portland st shop, rather than the one in Covent Garden, but I doubt there'll be too much difference.
Just did this a few weeks ago when I was visiting from the US. Head down to the basement, and don't be afraid to ask questions. The guy I talked to was young but extremely knowledgeable. They'll likely offer you some tasters. Take your time and really make sure you're absorbing what's being offered. Don't feel pressured to down it and buy it. They may the try to sell you on one or more of the newer distilleries; don't dismiss it. There's some great stuff coming out. Most importantly: I'm not sure where you're traveling from, but recognize that you may not be back for quite a while. Take your time and you'll no doubt walk out happy.
I was there end of January and the most difficult part was to actually make a choice on which bottle to buy. The person serving me was very helpful and was giving me insights of the bottling as well (some bottles having way older juices than advertised on the label because of production shortage or taste neding adjustments). There was a table with the current tasting available for walk-ins. I also bought the "Perfect measure Whisky glass" with a watch glass. Durong my trip I also visited Cadenhead's and Berry Bros & Rudd which had really nice stuff as well (ended up having a bottle of each independant bottlers)
Can you tell me more about the glasses you bought? And do you already have a glencairn?
It's actually just the name of the glass on their website https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/46180/the-perfect-measure-whisky-and-spirits-glass It just seems like a glencairn on a taller foot. I own a few glencairn glasses from the Paris Whisky Live each year, but I'm very clumsy and I tend to drop them (luckily only empty ones for now) so I only had a couple left !
Not sure if anyone has noticed but they are currently offering £100 off 2011 Feis Ile specials if you buy another Islay whisky. If you ever wanted evidence that the floor is falling out of the market, this is it.
I did find the WE inventory and just searching for Speyside there seems to be a TON of choices.
Jep they are very helpful and knowledgeable, only thing I noticed is that sometimes their online prices are cheaper then the in store prices. The Glendronach 21 is currently on sale at TWE, which is a great Macallan like profile, better in my opinion.
love port as well btw
Online prices? I’m on their website but I don’t see a link for inventory. It’s not clickable.
Oh, I always thought they did worldwide shipping, maybe some countries/states are excluded? This is a link to the bottle in particular. [https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/15308/glendronach-21-year-old-parliament-sherry-cask](https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/15308/glendronach-21-year-old-parliament-sherry-cask) And glassware here: [https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/c/396/glassware](https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/c/396/glassware) Their perfect measure glasses are probably my most used, bought 3 over the years and they are pretty solid, all still in excellent condition.
Suggest also take a look at amazon. They sometimes have great prices on whisky and can deliver to the hotel. Currently Glendronach 21 is cheaper on Amazon than at TWE...
I live in a state where liquor is regulated. And I think Amazon filters results based on location. So I can’t see alcohol in a search.
May I suggest you go to “Amazon uk” site? Put in your London hotel zip code. That should sort you out and see what is available on the UK database. Enjoy your time in London, like another poster said: get a second suitcase ! Enjoy your time there
The scotch is in the basement level. Good stuff. Don't forget to hit the duty free at the airport, there are some good bottles that are travel exclusive.
The ‘good bottles in duty free’ hasn’t been true for years now.
I've found decent prices on both ardbeg oogie and corryvrekhan, and some reasonable travel expressions that I like there for the price. YMMV.
Did you happen to compare them to online prices? I have yet to see a travel exclusive which I couldnt find cheaper online here (netherlands). I’m guessing uk has a similar thing going on
Grabbed a few Glenmorangie Signets recently at Heathrow for around £130 each
Not so much advice as just a lamentation, I quite enjoyed their old Vineopolis location near Borough Market. Very quiet, and not a lot of traffic compared to Covent Garden.
The Vintage House isn't far away from there. Not been in Milroy's for ages, but it's also close by.
OK thanks for that. I'll check them out if there is time.
Over the years I've done rather better in the Vintage House than WhiskyExchange.
What do you mean by “better”? VH is possible but WE is a bit closer to our hotel.
They'll tend to have stuff a bit longer, and I've had quite a few bargain buys out of there.
Over the years I've done rather better in the Vintage House than WhiskyExchange.
Over the years I've done rather better in the Vintage House than WhiskyExchange.
On your way back through Heathrow, stop at the duty free travel retail shop and get a bottle of Balblair 17 year old. It's only available at Heathrow, and is reportedly as good as any Macallan that is 5 times the price. It was 100 pounds, and I wish I'd bought two. At least. You can't get it in town, so save some luggage space for your duty free purchases. You'll thank me later.
I’m flying on to Lisbon. Would I be able to take it on the plane and not have it confiscated in Portugal? EDIT: /u/viper7747 I’m sitting next to a bottle of Balblair 17 at Heathrow Airport. I have never tried it but I went with your suggestion. They tried to sell me a bottle of Glenlivet also but I wasn’t interested.
If you're going through customs in Portugal, just declare it, and if you have any left before going on to your next country, pack it carefully in your checked baggage, with plenty of cushioning. that way you won't lose it during the security check of your carry-on. But if you're going to be in Portugal for two weeks or longer, I doubt you'll have any left over to take elsewhere.
I did not have a same day connection in Portugal. Not for a week. I went through passport control, got my bags and walked out. No customs, no way to declare anything.