Scotch in Washington State?

October 25, 2006 4:48 PM

Where should I go looking for a good bottle of single malt scotch, in Seattle?

As I understand it, all bottled alcohol sold in Washington State is centrally purchased and sold through the state liquor stores. I don't drink much hard liquor anymore, so I havn't been in a while. I'd like to get a decent (~$50-$70) bottle of single malt scotch. Is this a futile endevor in Washington State? Should I go to Vancouver or Portland to shop?

posted by b1tr0t to food & drink (12 comments total)

I don't understand your question. Is there some reason any number of the liquour stores around here won't suffice, wherein you can purchase a lovely bottle of 12 year single malt Glenfiddich for around $45?
posted by xmutex at 4:50 PM on October 25, 2006

The last time I bought scotch in Seattle, there were maybe three or four different kinds available. Down in California, many liquor stores carry a dozen or more different brands and varieties. Glenfiddich is nice, but I'd rather buy something I havn't had, or at least havn't recently had.
posted by b1tr0t at 4:57 PM on October 25, 2006

The WA State Liquor Control Board keeps a live inventory online. You can browse by type of spirit or search. You can also do special orders.

That said, I often stock up on liquor in California, as the prices can be much better, particularly when there's a sale.

The newer stores, like the recently opened Ballard store, have a wider range of product, by the way.
posted by action man bow-tie at 4:59 PM on October 25, 2006 [1 favorite]

Wherever you go, find somewhere with a knowledgable staff. I've found that liquor stores that actually care about their appearance tend to have very helpful people working there.

I personally enjoy single barrel, single malt scotch. Find something aged ~10-15 years; 21-year-old scotch is more of a gimmick for your child's coming-of-age, it seems to me. One of my favorites is the Balvenie (about 45 bucks here in the Northeast).
posted by backseatpilot at 5:44 PM on October 25, 2006

D&M Wine & Liquors in San Francisco does internet business and has a great selection of scotch. I order from them all the time.
posted by Tacos Are Pretty Great at 6:21 PM on October 25, 2006

Oh, and as for the age, I disagree with backseatpilot. Some of my favorites are in the 25-34 year old range, and they taste almost nothing like the 12-18yo versions of the same.

That said, I can't quite bring myself to try the $5,000/bottle 50 year old Macallan.
posted by Tacos Are Pretty Great at 6:24 PM on October 25, 2006

Seconding the Belvenie. Had some recently - amazing stuff.
posted by jourman2 at 7:35 PM on October 25, 2006

*Balvenie
posted by jourman2 at 7:36 PM on October 25, 2006

I can't tell if you're looking for a rec on whisky or not, but I'm going to give you one.

I picked up a bottle of Aberlour A'bunadh not too long ago, largely because the sherry-colour of the spirit was amazingly beautiful in the clear glass bottle.

I don't believe a better whisky is possible, which is sort of depressing. So if you don't want to be depressed, you might want to avoid it.
posted by ikkyu2 at 8:35 PM on October 25, 2006

interesting stuff
posted by b1tr0t at 9:18 PM on October 25, 2006

Thirding the Balvenie. If you want to steer away from the sherryish taste, and like the more peaty, earth flavored i'd recomned Lephroig. Very good.
posted by Kudos at 12:46 AM on October 26, 2006

A while back I heard a rumor that the Capitol Hill store was one that had a staff member or two knowledgeable in single malts, but I don't know if this is still true. Too bad Hopscotch closed down.
posted by matildaben at 10:10 AM on October 26, 2006