Looking to Buy Good Scotch in NYC

December 8, 2008 3:37 PM

Can anyone recommend a liquor store in Manhattan that carries a good selection of single malt scotches?

I'm going to be in NYC this holiday season and will be staying with my sister. I'd like to give her and her husband a nice bottle of Scotch as a gift. (I'm thinking Caol Ila, perhaps.) I can't fly with the Scotch, so I'd like to just buy it there. Can anyone recommend a liquor store in NYC that carries a good selection of single malt scotches?

posted by cleverevans to food & drink (9 comments total)

Weeelll....you say Manhattan (otherwise, I would've sent you to LeNell's as well), so keeping it easy: Astor Wines & Spirits?
posted by kkokkodalk at 3:45 PM on December 8, 2008

Just came in here to recommend Astor, but it looks like kkokkodalk beat me to it.
posted by saladin at 4:56 PM on December 8, 2008

Crossroads, on 14th Street, is where the bar managers I know shop.
posted by nicwolff at 5:10 PM on December 8, 2008

It ain't cheap, but Grande Harvest Wines in Grand Central terminal has a very nice selection... If you're taking mass transit from the airport into manhattan, it might be convenient.
posted by departure lounge at 6:20 PM on December 8, 2008

Beacon Liquors, Broadway at 74th, has a great selection and very knowledgeable and friendly staff. In fact I often wish I could go back there.
posted by ikkyu2 at 6:55 PM on December 8, 2008

Park Avenue Liquor has a massive selection (one of the largest in the US) and knowledgeable staff, though some bottles are priced ridiculously too expensive while others are fair. However, I've only been as a tourist. Is there a reason you other Manhattan folks don't recommend it? I do know my national booze and booze stores well, I'm curious.
posted by atursis at 7:10 PM on December 8, 2008

Park Avenue indeed has the widest single-malt selection, including a number of Scotches that are bottled exclusively for them. It is also the only liquor store that maintains a booth at the New York WhiskyFest.
posted by Eater at 8:22 PM on December 8, 2008

Can't tell you the name, but I was very impressed with the place at 53rd and 1st (from that corner, go North ... shop is on the East side of the road in about 50'. Had a good selection of single cask scotches last time I took a gander, but that was a few years ago now.
posted by devbrain at 8:54 PM on December 8, 2008

Park Avenue Liquor has a massive selection

Yes, but pretty much everything is considerably more expensive than elsewhere. I always went to Garnet Wines & Liquors (929 Lexington Avenue), which had (and presumably still has) a good selection and great prices.
posted by languagehat at 1:49 PM on December 9, 2008