Drinking across borders...

August 5, 2008 3:38 PM

Is it possible to get a nice bottle of vodka shipped to a friend in the US, and if so, how?

I'm in the UK, friend is in the USA, MI to be specific. I want to send him a small bottle of vodka as a present, but I don't want to ship internationally, for obvious reasons. I want the vodka to be decent stuff, not something cheap. I'm willing to spend up to $30, including shipping.

Are there any reputable websites out there that will let me do this? Does anyone have any first hand experience of buying vodka online?

posted by Solomon to Grab Bag (4 answers total)

I'd start off looking for a liquor store in the town near him and see if they have a website that will deliver, this lets you pay with a credit card. Most liquor stores in the U.S. charge about 10$ or more to ship the liquor if that helps.
posted by Sgt.Grumbless at 4:16 PM on August 5, 2008

It's funny, but years ago, I shipped a bottle of gin from the US to the UK. I wrapped it up tight with plenty of bubble wrap and paper. When they asked me what was in the box, I said, "Giant bottle of perfume." It arrived safely.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 4:23 PM on August 5, 2008

You should call a liquor store in his town, briefly explain the situation, and ask if they could take your order over the phone and ship it or even hand-deliver it (if it's a small town). I worked last summer at a bookstore in my small hometown, and I'd often take orders over the phone and deliver the books myself if the day was slow and it wasn't too long of a walk.

Being underage, I wonder how they'd make sure you were of age.
posted by D.A. Carlin at 7:41 PM on August 5, 2008

Here's a Michigan merchant who identifies themselves as selling spirits online. Good luck!
posted by pants at 4:17 AM on August 7, 2008