Whisky Forum - UK Airport Shopping

MaltArfa · Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2020 4:55 pm Post subject: UK Airport Shopping

As a recent whisky convert I've never really paid much attention to the duty free shops in airports but am now wondering whether it would be a good idea to pick up a bottle or two to enjoy on the hotel balcony.

With air travel now returning and a late Summer holiday in prospect (flying out from Birmingham to Crete) may I ask...

-are airports good places to pick up a half decent sipper without getting ripped off?
-can anyone who is traveling by air keep an eye out for what's currently available?

Cheers in anticipation

MaltArfa · Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2020 5:21 pm Post subject:

OK, replying to my own post here - I should have done some research first but I just found the name of the duty free shop at Brum and sourced the website....

https://worlddutyfree.com/en/liquor/whisky/single-scotch-malt?p=3&product_list_order=price_desc

Page 3 above set with price in descending order has the affordable sippers around Â£40-50/L....

I wondered about all the 1L bottles and then I realised why they do this...doh.

Some airport exclusives seem to be there too.

What are people's experiences of airport shopping for whisky? Do you order in advance like this website seems to be offering?

MattS · Master Of Malts Joined: 23 Apr 2018 Posts: 529

I have ordered in advance when I've got an extra 10% off or to ensure availability. Some airports also offer to hold the bottles for collection on return.

As for the bottles on offer, I sometimes find the supermarkets or online shops are cheaper. Then there can be exclusives but I'd definitely check online for reviews and be cautious of what is on offer.

My last airport purchase was a a Cotswold Founders Choice for just over Â£48 because of an extra 10% off. I thought that was a pretty good deal.

MaltArfa · Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2020 7:54 pm Post subject:

Alexppp · Master Of Malts Joined: 16 Jul 2010 Posts: 1791

A litre of Caol Ila 12 for Â£51 is not too bad at all. A litre of Glenfiddich 15 DE for under Â£50 is very good indeed. I haven't tried the Lagavulin 10 but it's a young Lagavulin with an age statement at a reasonable price - has to be worth it.

As a rule of thumb, avoid anything with a name that includes the words 'reserve', 'select', or tells you just how many different casks were used Laughing

MaltArfa · Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2020 12:09 am Post subject:

If that 3 for 2 deal is correct Islay lovers could have three bottles of Lagavulin 16 for Â£90. One to drink on holiday and two to bring back in the suitcase.