The morning after the WWA’s “anointed” Bowmore’s 21YO Sherry Oak Cask as the World’s Best Single Malt, a client messaged me - can you get stock? I’m based in Malaysia, so approached Bowmore’s local distributor, only to be told, “sorry, we only have the traditional bottlings - we have not brought in the newer sherry oak matured range”. Then I thought… Bowmore has a direct retail presence in Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. They have a “Bowmore Boutique” inside the 5 star Sheraton Saigon Hotel. Looked online at another retailer’s website and saw that the bottle was going for VND9Mil (approx USD345 / GBP265). That would make it about UK retail pricing (Vietnam has relatively low liquor duties/tax). So I asked a friend to head to the Bowmore Boutique to pick up 6 bottles. Their response… the bottle costs VND12Mil! (USD460/GBP350)! No discounts under any circumstances. 🤦🏻‍♂️😡 Absolutely not going to support profiteering so I am thinking what single malt can I encourage all my friends/clients to go for instead of the Bowmore 21YO Sherry Oak Cask. I am thinking Lagavulin Distillers Edition, which is listed at GBP105 on The Whisky Exchange. Would welcome everyone’s thoughts on whether I have picked an expression that provides a somewhat similar drinking experience? If you think not, I’d really like to know what are your suggestions?

Posted by Whisky Dev at 2026-03-29 14:33:50 UTC