Paradise Bargains: You won't believe it!

[Capn Jimbo]

I had to look twice...


I'd had a very, very bad week of looming expectations of the most negative kind, when at the last moment, the clouds parted and instead, the outcome was positive. Of a sudden, the sun seemed brighter and the colors of our tropical paradise seemed more intense and almost surreal. It was like being born into a Gauguin painting! I'm serious.

Rare occasions like this lead many of us to cop a bottle of champagne - in my case my car drives itself to one of our many amazing discount liquor stores. Not to mention I am a huge bargain hunter, but after collecting several hundred spirits, it's hard to find one that meets our goals of being (a) potentially fine, even world class acquisition, and (b) at a reasonable cost (less than $30). Yes, I'll break the $30 barrier now and again, but it has to be something really great, like a Lavagulin 16. And what did I find?


Rhum JM Blanc

I first found a nice bottle of Pinot Noir for a mere $4.99 on close out, then as is my habit, wandered the whisky and rum aisles. I'd actually been thinking about Rhum JM - unusual because it's almost never carried, and the usual price pushes $50. Sorry, but that's ridiculous! So what did I find?

Rhum JM at - drum roll - an absolutely shocking, amazing, unbelievable - $12.99!

I had to look twice. Was it the price of the cheap rum next to it? I looked again. And again. Then making every effort to look uninterested, I carried the wine and JM to the counter with every expectation that the computer would expose my impending steal of this well known rum.

There was a long line and I had to wait - finally my turn came at the counter and my favorite Indian proprietor grabbed the JM, passed his barcode reader over it, paused and looked twice and then? Then up popped the actual price on the register...

$12.95!

I said not a word, paid cash for the JM and wine, and walked calmly and measureably to my car, with neither foot actually contacting the pavement. All said and done the sale price has proven accurate and still exists to my continuing amazement.


Bottom Line:

Experienced spirits buyers down here know just which stores to frequent, usually Indian proprietors who own just one or a few stores, and certainly not ABC or Total Wine & Spirits. You will never find such a deep discount there. Ever. These small business men will hold and hold, but when they've had enough, they just want it out of the store.

Even if they have to lose money. Only in Paradise...


*******
Capn's Note: review soon...

[Uisge]

I love stories with a happy ending! Well done, Cap'n.

[NCyankee]

Shopper's Vineyard in NJ was great for that, but they no longer ship spirits. I have gotten a 1 ltr Depaz Blue Cane Rhum for $20, Santa Teresa Selecto for $17, Versinthe absinthe for $13 (reg $45), among others.

Would love to get some J M at a price like that. I found the Depaz interesting but I don't love it (mainly because it tastes more like Tequila than rum to me), and it is the only AoC rhum I have tried as yet.