How to Shop for Rare and Exclusive Spirits at Duty Free
Everyone knows that duty-free and tax-free shops are ideal places to buy wine and spirits at a discount. But not everyone knows that these same shops also feature exclusive offerings that can only be purchased at international airports — especially spirits, and particularly Scotches.
Years back, spirits producers discovered it was good business to offer something additional — something to reach beyond buyers looking for a few dollars off their favorite bourbon — and to appeal to connoisseurs always on the search for something different and more difficult to find, even if it meant spending more.
Thus, travel exclusives were born.
Creating these exclusives was second nature to Scotch brands that were already used to distilling their basic "whisky" spirit in mass quantities, then finishing it in barrels that had been previously used somewhere else, usually from America where they make whiskey spelled with an "e." It was easy to select only a few special barrels that had first made port or Cognac or sherry and produce a more-limited, higher-priced offering. Sometimes, it was just a single barrel that yielded only a few hundred bottles.
Of course, not every exclusive is available in every airport, and some of them are filtered off into the gray or secondary market for online sale. Here are nine exclusives to whet your drinking appetite.
Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch, 1990 Vintage
Proof: 46% ABV (92 proof)
Price: 285 pounds (about $400) in a 70 cl gift box
What makes this special: Only 3,200 bottles made, it was launched at Heathrow (LHR) and Gatwick (LGW) terminals in 2017 and is being rolled out this year in selected airports in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
Dictador "Best of 1981" Rum
Proof: 44% ABV (88 proof)
Price: 190 euros (about $235) for 70 cl
What makes this special: Distilled in 1981 for a special client, it was aged in a Bourbon cask, which yielded 318 bottles. Available at airports in Warsaw and Krakow.
Johnnie Walker "The Spice Road" Explorers' Club Collection Scotch
Proof: 40% ABV (80 proof)
Price: About $36 for 1 liter in Dubai, but widely available
What makes this special: Johnny Walker launched this expression in 2012 as the first of its Explorers' Club selections, one whose spicy flavors reflects the spirit's exotic namesake.
Highland Park "Ragnvald" Warrior Series Single Malt Scotch
Proof: 44.6% ABV (89.2 proof)
Price: 395 pounds (about $553) for 70 cl
What makes this special: Available at Manchester Airport (MAN) and other selected stores, this is a no-age statement malt aged in sherry casks and named after a noted Viking warrior.
Macallan "Limited Release MMXII" 1824 Collection Scotch
Proof: 49.5% ABV (99 proof)
Price: 2,100 euros (about $2,605) for 70 cl
What makes this special: One of the most-expensive bottles in any shop, only 1,824 bottles of the Sherry cask-finished whisky were released in 2012.
Remy Martin Prime Cellar Selection "Cellar No. 16" Cognac
Proof: 40% ABV (80 proof)
Price: 61 euros (about $75) for 1 liter
What makes it special: Each Cognac cellar has its own aromas and Remy's Cellar No. 16 is a warmer one with newer oak casks; hence, this brandy accentuates vanilla and other warm spices.
Jameson Deconstructed Series "Round" Irish Whiskey
Proof: 40% ABV (80 proof)
Price: 37.50 euros (about $46) for 1 liter
What makes it special: "Round" is one of three whiskies —"Bold" and "Lively" are the other two — that were produced when Jameson distillers asked themselves the question, "What would happen is we pulled apart our whiskey and amplified its key characteristics?" "Round" was one of the answers.
Jim Beam "Kentucky Dram" Bourbon
Proof: 40% ABV (80 proof)
Price: $45 for 75 cl
What makes this special: This unusual whiskey is a turnabout on the Scotch practice of using Bourbon casks for finishing, as it is a Bourbon finished in a Scotch barrel — perhaps from Ardmore, as both are owned by Beam Suntory.
Ron Abuelo "Finish Collection" Rum
Proof: 40% ABV (80 proof)
Price: $85 for collection of three different bottles totaling 2 liters
What makes it special: This Panamanian producer has made available at the Panama City airport a one-package selection of three different cask finishes: Oloroso Sherry, tawny Port and Napoleon Cognac.
A final note: For those who prefer to shop in advance, check your destination airport's online site to see if the duty-free inventory is listed and whether you can order in advance for later pickup.
Prices accurate as of publication date; featured image by BSIP/UIG via Getty Images
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
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Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.