Irish Whiskey and Customs

Sidz · Guru

Irish Whiskey and Customs

CowboyCraic · Guru

Sid,

Welcome to the forum! To answer your question, Dingle Town has a St. Patrick's day parade. I have heard that it is mighty good craic!

As for the whiskey dilemma, your best bet might be to shop in the duty-free area before heading home. Either that or take each of them home a shot glass and advise them that the whiskey was delicious from each,

! I have never had my luggage checked going through customs. However, it wouldn't be worth the hassle and/or possible mess from breakage to bring back in more than I should.

Slan Agus Beannacht,

Bit

Sidz · Guru

Two parades in Dingle! How nice. Thanks for the link.

Also, if you buy at duty free in Shannon, don't they pack it for you so you can put on the plane?

Sure many others have tried to bring "a couple of extras" home, and was wondering if there were any tips.

Either way, I can't wait!

Irish 57 · Veteran Member

Sidz: It depends on how many "extras" you're planning on bringing home. The best bet is to shop duty free, I was in Shannon airport a few years ago and brought back 6 bottles of Bailey's. I believe my limit was 2. One of the women working at the duty free shop told me to buy the extra 4 bottles anyway as the duty tax on them if I was caught wasn't but a few bucks. If I added together what I paid for litre of Bailey's, plus my duty tax (if caught) I would still come out ahead than if I bought the litre at home. win win situation!

Irish 57 · Veteran Member

I forgot to mention that Shannon did package my bottles and sent them ahead on my plane. I claimed my baggage and my Bailey's when I landed at O'Hare. I believe you can only check your "bottles" if you are flying direct to your destination. If you have to change planes you'll have to carry them on.

Sidz · Guru

Thanks Irish 57.

That was my thought as well, to just do it and pay the fee on the other end "if caught."

Common sense would lead you to believe that if you are coming back with a couple of extra bottles, they know it is for private use and that you are not trying to make $$$ by doing it. I guess it all depends on who you encounter on the other end.

Will be interesting to see what happens.

yesiree · Guru

Just how much whiskey are you looking to bring back? You can bring back loads...just not tax-free.

Since you're curious about pushing the limit, a friend of a friend

once brought back four bottles (there were two people traveling) and forgot to note it on the customs form. There were no reprocussions for the error.

Shannon Duty Free generally places bottles in currogated cardboard tubes and then put those in a plastic bag to prevent them from clinking around...not real formal packing.

I no longer bring back a lot of booze, because most brands are now available in the US, the price isn't much different and it simply isn't worth the hassle. I swear, duty free bags seem to be the #1 holdup when deboarding the plane...the bags shift and people end up spending a lot of time trying to get them out of the overhead bins.

Also be sure you check the most recent travel advisories before you get to the airport. My buddy Liam was flying the morning of the London terror scare and watched one family part with the SIX litres of whiskey they just bought in duty free...no liquids were allowed that day.

Sidz · Guru

Probably just four bottles, and it would be stuff that I can't get back here -- such as Paddy's or Green Spot. I agree it makes little sense to make an effort to bring back Jameson or Bushmills, which is available anywhere in the U.S. I saw a guy one year buying Jack Daniels at the Shannon Duty Free to bring back to the U.S. -- and he was paying more for it than he would when he landed back in Chicago!

I guess it takes all kinds.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Sidz,

I see everyone has given you good first-hand advice. You will have to let us know how "customs" goes for you. Keep in mind that if you must take a connecting flight you may have to pack your liquor in your checked luggage.

I love your plan of letting the week unfold as you go. You might consider first and last night reservations though, since you know where you will be for those nights anyway. It is so nice to know where you will lay your head on your first jet-lagged day and not have to fumble around for lodgings.

Michele

Irish 57 · Veteran Member

when shannon airport packed by bottles, they did so in a heavy cardboard box. Reinforced it with tape and made me a homemade handle. Picked it up at O'Hare and walked right past cutoms agent. DO not claim what you actually have! Just walk past without making eye contact!

Also, last year i was leaving shannon to chicago via london. As I said before, if you're not going directly to your destination you must carry on your duty free items. I did so and before I boarded in London, they had to inspect my duty free package. Which means they had to open the sealed box and make sure it was what I claimed. This meant my homemade handle was gone and I had to "carry" the box. Very awkward! Just make sure your flying directly home and they'll store your stuff in the baggage department of the plane.

Jameson's is much cheaper in duty free than here in the states!

Irrover · Veteran Member

Just one point about carrying on. You can no longer do this at all because of the new three ounces or less rule. I just came back from the caribbean and in Miami I had to get my duty free at baggage claim and check it in again. So you will need to make sure it is packed real good.

Sidz · Guru

However, if it is bought -- and packed -- at Duty Free, you can check the item, correct?

Michele Erdvig · Host

Sidz,

You check your luggage before going through security and into duty free. When you purchase anything at the duty free it is either delivered to your airplane cabin or you just carry it on yourself.

The problem will be if you land in the US (or wherever you are going) and if you then need to take a connecting flight. Depending on current security rules you may have to pack the liquor into your checked luggage to be able to continue onto your next flight.

See: http://www.tsa.gov/

Michele

Sidz · Guru

It will be a direct flight from Shannon to Chicago. So I guess that would simply this a bit.

Thanks

Michele Erdvig · Host

Sidz,

I forsee no problems then.

Michele

Sidz · Guru

Then I guess the next step is to open a bottle of Redbreast or Paddy's, pour a small portion, lift our glasses, and say "Cheers!"

Thanks for all the imput. I leave for Ireland in about two weeks.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Sidz,

It sounds like you are more than ready to be in Ireland. Do let us know how it goes upon your return. We have a section on the forum just for Trip Reports.

Michele

Sidz · Guru

Just an update:

Had asked this question months before about bringing Irish whiskey back into the states, and meant to report on this issue when I returned last month. Bringing extra spirits home was so easy it was silly, as no one so much as raised an eyebrow when we came back through in Chicago.

You are supposed to have only one liter -- I had two, and one of my friends had five! They could care less, so wait until you buy the product at duty free (MUCH CHEAPER) and they even pack it for you and deliver it to you on the airplane. Pretty good way they are doing it now, and at least for coming back through Chicago, the folks there could care less.

I think I'll have a sip of Crested Tin, Paddy's, or Redbreast now. Best regards!

-- Edited by Sidz at 14:55, 2007-04-12

Michele Erdvig · Host

Sidz,

Thanks for the update. Usually the customs people are too busy to care about a couple of extra bottles of the good stuff. It is when you run into a "gatekeeper" that is when you will have problems. There are always some of them around. But odds are with you.

Michele

Auld Sod · Veteran Member

Ah, just the place to ask my "most burning" question!

Having never had Irish Whiskey, I recently went a-tasting at a local pub (not Irish hmm

)

I'm a Jack Daniel's guy and found Jameson's and Bushmill's a bit harsh on the palate for me. ashamed

(this is where you all yell "WIMP!", lol)

I was wondering if Ireland produced a Whiskey that was close in flavor to Jack?

Calling all imbibers!

Chris

susan · Senior Member

Try Tullamore Dew very smooth and easy to find.

CowboyCraic · Guru

Mercy Chris,

You can drink Jack but find Jameson too harsh? Oh well, more for lil ol' me! biggrin

I would have to agree, try Tullamore Dew and for a Liqueur, try Irish Mist, on your oatmeal or just sipping it. It is absolutely yummy. Its my favorite when I am feeling mellow.

Slan Beo,

Bit

yesiree · Guru

Crested Ten is probably as smooth as it gets. It's hard to find in the US.

baja · Veteran Member

CowboyCraic wrote:

Mercy Chris,

You can drink Jack but find Jameson too harsh? Oh well, more for lil ol' me! I would have to agree, try Tullamore Dew and for a Liqueur, try Irish Mist, on your oatmeal or just sipping it. It is absolutely yummy. Its my favorite when I am feeling mellow.

Slan Beo,

Bit

Hey Bit -- Just wanted to confirm that Irish Mist is indeed good "seasoning" for your oatmeal! I tried -- and loved it -- in, of all places, Tripoli, Libya! (Long time ago!)

Good suggestion!

Bill biggrin

Auld Sod · Veteran Member

I'm guessing it may be the sweetness from the corn that does it for me....who knows, lol.

I remember Irish Mist from shopping at the Blarney Woolen Mills. I don't know if it's still done but, back then ('88) the clerk would give you a coupon for a shot of Irish Mist with each purchase. I collected/redeemed quite a few coupons from our group and then had to drive a manual vehicle on the left side...quite an experience!!

I'll try the Tullamore's and Crested Ten...ah, let's be honest, Jameson's and Bushmill's will probably get a second chance at a first impression as well!

Sidz · Guru

Our trip last month yielded the normal Irish whiskey treats, such as Jameson, Paddy's, Red Breast (even found one place in Dingle that had the hard to find Green Spot), but the biggest find was Crested Ten. Never had tried it before, and it was a wonderful whiskey, which we brought back with us.

I agree with Bit. I find it interesting that someone who likes Jack Daniels finds any Irish whiskey harsh, but I guess that just proves that everyone has their own taste. I'm just the opposite -- used to like a nip of Jack now and then, but now that the taste buds are locked into "the real stuff," I can't stand the taste of the Tennessee product.

I can even buy Powers easilly here in the states, so that has become my sippin' whiskey when I'm away from the shores of Ireland.

Chris, would simply suggest you give the Irish nectar a chance for a few days straight while you are over there, and I suspect you will be surprised how much your thoughts change in that direction. Either way -- you'll be in Ireland having a great time, so it doesn't really matter!!! biggrin

Dude · Guru

And now I have a question. We don't live at the end of the earth, but you can see it on a clear day. Meaning our choices of alcohol are limited. I would like to bring my husband some Crested Ten and/or Green Spot. Can I get those at the duty-free shop in Shannon, or should I buy them where I find them and schlep them all over the place (in the boot, obviously)?

stewh · Guru

HiDude wrote:

And now I have a question. We don't live at the end of the earth, but you can see it on a clear day. Meaning our choices of alcohol are limited. I would like to bring my husband some Crested Ten and/or Green Spot. Can I get those at the duty-free shop in Shannon, or should I buy them where I find them and schlep them all over the place (in the boot, obviously)?

I was able to get Crested Ten at Shannon about a year ago (LUCKY ME!!!). Green Spot is occasionally available in my part of Canada but never Crested Ten; I have heard that the Irish do not export it.
Stewart

Dude · Guru

Thanks, Stewart. That goes on my shopping list.

Sidz · Guru

You can certainly get Crested Ten at duty free in Shannon. However, Green Spot is not available there and is hard as can be to find anywhere. We finally, after much searching, found Green Spot at an Off License store just up the street from The Small Bridge in Dingle. That was the only place we found it, so if you are in Dingle, buy it there and wait until the airport (because of the cheap prices) to buy the rest.