www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Just left there Tuesday and it's 2 for $9.00 now. I bought 4 bottles of 4 year old Flor de Cana for 21.00. And for the smokers, they have Marlboros in a 5 carton pack for $60.00. That's $1.20 per pack versus anywhere from $5.00 here in Florida $8.00 plus elsewhere. That can cover a plane ticket in savings.

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Go Dolphins!!!

LOL. Your timing is perfect, as I was just having a taste of the Strathisla we were drinking the other night.

IMHO Smirnoff is basically only good for bar mix, but at that price it's hard to argue the value.

The article simply reinforced what I knew in the '70's. Back then I could not understand why Stoli was so preferred over Smirnoff by my buddies. There was no noticeable difference to my taste, especially considering the difference in price.

And, as brother Jazz noted, Vodka is supposed to be NEUTRAL in it's ability to affect the taste of a drink.

Reminds me of when I was a beer drinker. Good old Coors Banquet aced other American beers in many a blind tasting even though Bud drinkers would tell me what shit beer Coors is. Just goes to show the power of the mind!

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These are just the opinion pages and I am just submitting mine.

Poco a poco la vieja sube el coco.

Well... Vodka is *supposed* to be neutral. In a blind taste test (baw haw haw LOL), I was able to tell the difference between Hangar 1 (made from grapes), Grey Goose (less burn) and Smirnoff Red label. All three vodkas were 80 proof, all three were served at room temperature and each was followed by a cool water rinse . So, "grain neutral spirits" or not, one *can* tell the difference.

My favorite vodka in the world is one I cannot get. Olefant vodka from the Netherlands is the nicest high and virtually no hangover with 95% of the Olefant drinkers I know. Why might this be? Supposedly all vodkas are created with a more or less neutral/equal outcome.


The worst vodka? Ed phillips & Sons in Minneapolis bottles a little concoction called "Karkov." Distilled hell.
Back to where to buy: I think the duty free offers the best prices, but what is even more important to me is that by buying my smokes/drinks on the way into the country, I save myself a trip later in the vacation. That makes the minor inconvenience of hauling bottles along with your luggage a decent tradeoff. As noted, there are luggage carts readily available, and once you've left the airport, a dozen dudes will pester you to help you with your stuff. Everytime I've used the taxi kiosk, a driver has quickly appeared to help me with my luggage and into the taxi.

I say use the duty free.

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Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

El Ciego

IMO, you are correct on both counts: Cost and convenience at duty free is superior. The liquor at duty free is very cheap and is frequently packaged and promoted to make it even cheaper. They package it in easily transportable boxes and help is available for a pittance. I have shopped in the gulch grocery stores for liquor, and while booze is reasonably priced in the Automercado, it can not compare with the duty free. Further, by shopping at duty free, you can have your bar set up within moments of checking in. Finally, duty free usually sells Kahlua, which I've been unable to find elsewhere in CR.

Ciaociao

OK, OK, OK, I'll load up at the duty free. I guess I'll get my smokes there too, I usually bring a carton from the states with me. Guess I'll have to smoke reds, I'm pretty sure they have never heard of 27's.

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I can't deny it, with that smile on her face. It's not the kill, it's the thrill of the chase!

Brother El C reports differences in Vodka served at room temperature. In my not so humble opinion, big mistake. Pull that stuff out of the freezer and then let's do a test. That's the way the Russkis do it (and serve it in clean glass ash trays). I mean no offense but you don't drink sake (that's sock-key for El C's voicing software) at room temp, right? Or drink your cold beer in CR con hielo? Or ice the "live" (non-Pasteurized) Guiness? End of rant. I do agree though about the Karkov--use it in a wapatuli punch maybe--otherwise: Are you kidding me with this swill??

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

The duty-free shop at SJO sells a fifth (25.35 oz bottle) of Johnnie Walker blue for $130. This retails for around $220 at most of the liquor stores I've seen in the states and $180 even in Mexico. Since you're only allowed to bring one liter of liquor back to the States, it's probably the most substantial savings/value for you to buy.

El Ciego,
Are you sure you were in a "blind" taste test?
LOL.

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PacoLoco: "You pay for it one way or another."
Ace: "Rent everything, do not buy in Costa Rica"

Last post on the subject by me, I promise but here's a review on a book on the House of Smirnov:
www.thefreelibrary.com/+A+BRANDING+PION ... 1611884628

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

And for only $7 more you can get 4 bottles of the 7 year which is 20 times better rum than the 4 year IMHO

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Old and retired but still bang, and bang, and bang!!!

This is a question I have often asked If it is nothing but "diluted PGA", has NO taste, Has on flavor, and no color nor odor; HOW CAN ONE BRAND BE BETTER THAN ANOTHER tHE ONLY explanation I have ever been able to come up with is "placebo effect Otherwise I wish some one would enlighten me

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Old and retired but still bang, and bang, and bang!!!

How are the customs check down in CR? I usually like to load up in alcohol while on vacation.

I only drink Grey Goose and Hennessey VSOP and I like to get them at the duty free shop. I always buy two liters from the American airport and 2 more at the final destination. Last time I had 9 bottles of liquor while visiting India

I was told by the duty free shop at SJO that you could have 8 liters. I know of cases were guys have had as much as 12 liters and CR customs never said a word.

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Holtermann y Compania is one of the better wine distributors in CR. This weekend their bodega in Tibás is having a "Feria de Descunetos."

They had one about eight months ago and I stocked up on high quality wines at 30 to 45% discounts. Their wine inventory is quite extensive and excellent (or so I'm told by people more knowledgeable than I). They also have a small, but good, selection of US micro-brewery beers. Their hard liquor selection is limited and pretty pedestrian.

For you guys living here or on extended stays, it's a good opportunity to stock up on fine wines.

The Feria is the 11th through the 13th. They're located in Llorente de Tibás, 50 meters east of Pricesmart. They tell me that the event is only at this location.

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It's faster horses, younger women, older whiskey, and more money--Tom T. Hall
No man is a failure who is enjoying life--William Faulkner