What are some really good liquor stores in Portland?

December 19, 2019 7:33 AM

A gift recipient close to both my heart and Portland has asked for a good Japanese whiskey. Since I'm going to be visiting them soon, I thought I'd buy this whiskey in Portland. Can anyone recommend a store which would have good/interesting Japanese whiskeys?
posted by paul_smatatoes to Food & Drink (7 answers total)

Hollywood Beverage
Rose City Liquor
Portland Center Plaza Liquor
and if you don't mind driving to Vancouver, Total Wine is worth a go
posted by Dr. Twist at 8:13 AM on December 19, 2019

Maybe Uwajimaya in Beaverton?
posted by tipsyBumblebee at 8:36 AM on December 19, 2019 [1 favorite]

Best answer: also, if you know what you want you can just search to see who has it
posted by Dr. Twist at 8:39 AM on December 19, 2019 [2 favorites]

Best answer: Uwajimaya Won’t have liquor given Oregon’s liquor laws, just a heads-up.

If you know what you want, OLCC has an online search which will tell you which stores have it. Liquor legally costs the same at all stores in Oregon.
posted by ugf at 8:41 AM on December 19, 2019

Hollywood Liquor is where I always go when I'm in Portland. Use the Online Search to see if they have what you're looking for. I just looked for Nikka Coffey Malt (Item 4087B: NIKKA COFFEY MALT), which is a very good Japanese whiskey, and it is available at several stores in town. If $77 a bottle is too pricey, anything from Nikka will probably be good.
posted by matildaben at 10:47 AM on December 19, 2019

Agree re: Hollywood Liquor -- OTOH if you're downtown, Pearl Speciality Market & Spirits on Lovejoy would be worth checking out; I've had good luck finding more uncommon/top-shelf stuff there. (Their website appears to be effed up, unfortunately.)
posted by Kat Allison at 6:02 PM on December 19, 2019

Uptown Liquor, on NW 23d Pl at W Burnside, is a really good shop with a good selection, as well.
posted by pdb at 7:59 PM on December 20, 2019