Alcohol-related question for those who are SINing or have SINned ;)

[Febs]

Hi guys and girls,

Just a quick one to those who have been through SIN recently. Can you get Makers' Mark bourbon duty-free there, and if so, approximately how much is 1L?

In SYD it's approximately $36 (from meory) for 1L, but I'm sure it's cheaper in SIN, if it's sold there. My girlfriend is travelling back from LHR via SIN in a few weeks, and I have to decide if she should buy it in SIN or SYD, or if she should just buy a big bottle of Jager instead.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[kelpie]

I can't recall seeing Makers Mark there but they do have a wide range of the various incarnations of the dirty bird (export strength, 8 yr, 12 yr, rare breed and I think even the liqueur version as well).

And I've spent plenty of time there checking out the merchandise.

Out of all duty free stores the ones at SIN seem to be the cheapest on the planet.

 

[Evan]

Can't say i have checked for Makers but i think every single item you can buy in SIN will be cheaper than SYD/MEL, but maybe not by a lot depending on what it is.

Mostly i see things i like to drink at $22/litre (SGD) vs 2 x 1l for $47 AUD.
I don't smoke but they are heaps cheaper as well.

Evan

 

[Febs]

Can't say i have checked for Makers but i think every single item you can buy in SIN will be cheaper than SYD/MEL

Out of all duty free stores the ones at SIN seem to be the cheapest on the planet.

Certainly seems that way, with HK a close 2nd IMO.

Eg: 1L Absolut varieties - ~$21AUD at SIN,~$22AUD in HK, ~$28AUD in Australia (duty-free).

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[serfty]

I have to disagree with this; DXB appears to have most duty free Spirits and Tobacco at cost ...

(e.g. 1 Litre Baileys for ~AUD$15 ... I carried that thru LHR, LAX, SYD and then to MEL.)

 

[Evan]

I have to disagree with this; DXB appears to have most duty free Spirits and Tobacco at cost ...

(e.g. 1 Litre Baileys for ~AUD$15 ... I carried that thru LHR, LAX, SYD and then to MEL.)

Well that is really cheap ! And baileys is usually a lot more than the spirits for some reason.

 

[NM]

Well that is really cheap ! And baileys is usually a lot more than the spirits for some reason.

not the good spirits :evil: . My entry level for spending on duty-free alcohol is generally about $80.

 

[Evan]

not the good spirits :evil: . My entry level for spending on duty-free alcohol is generally about $80.

What are you drinking ?

 

[Febs]

What are you drinking ?

Don't know what NM's drinking, but I decided to treat myself to a bottle of JW Blue (750mL, as otherwise I'd have been over 2.25L) when coming back through SIN last year. ~$142AUD, cheapest here seems to be around $270 (for 700mL).

Scored two very nice crystal whisky balloons with it too (JW promo at the time).

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

NZ tends to be fairly cheap also (certainly much less than Australia). How good the bargains are depends a bit on the strength or weakness of the kiwi peso though.

 

[JohnK]

Comparing duty free prices SIN to SYD I would have to say that SIN wins hands down on most occassions.

Sometimes BKK has some good specials on certain spirit brands but you have to be there at the right time.

 

[NM]

What are you drinking ?

What, Now??? Coffee ...


Oh, you mean what do I buy duty-free . Usually 3 x 750ml bottles of scotch, such as these:

• JW Gold, Blue
• The Glenlivet 18yo
• Glenfiddich 18yo, 21yo
• Laphroaig 10yo, 15yo
• Bowmores 17yo
• Chivas Regal 18yo
• Chivas Royal Salute
• Talisker 15yo

and the occasional bottle of Penfolds Grandfather Port for Mrs NM

 

[GDSman]

Sydney had some very cheap offers on 'regular' brands last week e.g. Gordon's Gin for AUD15 and have a marketing campaign specifically targetting SIN etc. Also when going to NZ I pre-purchase using Duty Free Stores New Zealand - Duty Free NZ - Free delivery to all New Zealand airports , free online membership gives additional discount. Pickup is generally straightforward and I've found some good savings there on a range of items.

 

[kelpie]

Sydney had some very cheap offers on 'regular' brands last week e.g. Gordon's Gin for AUD15 and have a marketing campaign specifically targetting SIN etc. Also when going to NZ I pre-purchase using Duty Free Stores New Zealand - Duty Free NZ - Free delivery to all New Zealand airports , free online membership gives additional discount. Pickup is generally straightforward and I've found some good savings there on a range of items.

Gordons Gin? They should be paying YOU to drink it, not the other way around. Blechhhh....

 

[Febs]

Yeah, SYD DF stores have specials on very select lines (not just alcohol), and guarantee to beat all major airports (SIN, HKG, etc...).

As mentioned though, with regard to alcohol, that deal usually only applies to cough like Gordons'.

$15 for 1L of Gordons', or $21-22 for 1L of Bombay Sapphire? I know which I'd choose.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[GDSman]

I didn't say I drank it.....just remember seeing it...more of a Pernod/Ricard man myself...

 

[Evan]

As mentioned though, with regard to alcohol, that deal usually only applies to cough like Gordons'.

$15 for 1L of Gordons', or $21-22 for 1L of Bombay Sapphire? I know which I'd choose.

Cheers,
- Febs.

I second that Febs,

- Bombay Sapphire
- Tanqueray Ten
- Tanqueray

NM, only tried half those, i just never got into scotch, but good taste just the same.

mmmmm cooffeeee !

 

[alect]

NZ tends to be fairly cheap also (certainly much less than Australia). How good the bargains are depends a bit on the strength or weakness of the kiwi peso though.

Kiwi, I remember in the 90s :shock: when I was commuting betweel Aust and NZ (WLG/AKL) NZ duty free was a real bargain - exchange rate plus very good prices. Having recently transitted through AKL, I noted the duty free prices (alcohol, cosmetics, etc..) and was shocked to see they were not that attractive - I have seen and taken advantage of better prices in European ports (ZRH, FRA, HEL). What happened? Is it just the NZ peso getting stronger or has there been a pricing re-adjustment?

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

A bit of both. NZ$ now around 70us cents, but several years ago was around 40us cents.

 

[Altair]

Kiwi, I remember in the 90s :shock: when I was commuting betweel Aust and NZ (WLG/AKL) NZ duty free was a real bargain - exchange rate plus very good prices. Having recently transitted through AKL, I noted the duty free prices (alcohol, cosmetics, etc..) and was shocked to see they were not that attractive - I have seen and taken advantage of better prices in European ports (ZRH, FRA, HEL). What happened? Is it just the NZ peso getting stronger or has there been a pricing re-adjustment?

Are you referring to the yellow Regency Duty Free shop? I believe this is owned by Nuance, which owns quite a few DF shops around the world.
For NZ the best bet is what GDSman posted as those prices are difficult to beat if you use the pre-order frequent buyer offer. Regency recently opened here in WLG in direct competition to Duty Free Stores but I support the incumberant because of this preorder service.