Buying spirits in the EU shops.

wilko116

I have noticed that sometimes the volume of some spirits purchased in shops in the EU are lower than those purchased in the UK. Why is this the case.

dzug1

I suspect it's due to UK sizes - in some cases - being conversions, exact or approximate, from imperial measures, whereas in the EU they have been metric if not for ever for much longer


Though TBH I can't say I've noticed

rustyboy21

It's not the size of the bottle, it is the % proof I think the OP is wondering about.

Each Country seems to have their own % proof on spirits. If you buy export versions of the products, you shopuld find that they are the same as they are in the UK. I think the lower % proof are designed to fit into a lower price point, to make it look like you are getting a bargain, but if you check them against the ' Real Mc Coy' then there usually is a marked price differential. I have also found that you can buy 1 litre size in lower %, but only bottles in UK strength.

The weird one is in the Canaries. I like Courvoisier VSOP. There was around 5 different types, 5 different prices and all different strengths. I bought one to try which was rated as the best one, champagne version, wasn't cheap either. The cork snapped in the bottle as opening it and the liquid tasted like a mid price spanish brandy you would pay 10 euros a litre for.

Just be careful when buying. If it looks like an absolute bargain, then double check before you buy. There will be a reason why it is so cheap.

Keep_pedalling

No such thing as % proof, most bottles these days give the alcohol content as a percentage by volume (% vol) and even within the UK you get variations in strength. What we used to get was degrees proof and you can still see that used on something like Bowmore 100 degree proof single malt which has an alcohol content of 57.1 % vol.

Doshwaster

rustyboy21 wrote: »

Just be careful when buying. If it looks like an absolute bargain, then double check before you buy. There will be a reason why it is so cheap.

Yes, the reason why spirits are usually much cheaper in other EU countries (especially France, Spain and Portugal) is that their taxes and duties on alcohol are much lower.

Chris1447

I know a bottle of whisky Bells, Teachers etc are 40% volume in the UK. However it does differ sometimes in the EU. I have found that often in the Canary Islands the volume on spirits is lower.

benjus

I sometimes buy single malt whisky in French supermarkets when I'm over there as it's usually considerably cheaper than in the UK. I've never bought one that appeared to be a different product to that sold here.

Moto2

benjus wrote: »

I sometimes buy single malt whisky in French supermarkets when I'm over there as it's usually considerably cheaper than in the UK. I've never bought one that appeared to be a different product to that sold here.

Single malts in French supermarkets are a bargain and identical to the UK bottles

daveyjp

By law Scotch whisky has to be a minimum of 40% alcohol. Some brands, especially blends, release 'export' versions which are usually around 43%.

You will find often find mass volume clear spirits such as gin and vodka are 37.5%, some brands 40%, but export products may be above 45%.

As for malt prices, there's never a week goes by when there isn't an offer in the supermarkets. Morrisons currently have Singleton and Talisker for well below £30 and Talisker is bottled at almost 46%.

benjus

daveyjp wrote: »

As for malt prices, there's never a week goes by when there isn't an offer in the supermarkets. Morrisons currently have Singleton and Talisker for well below £30 and Talisker is bottled at almost 46%.

OK, but Carrefour in France sells Talisker at that price (£27 at current exchange rate) normally, not just when on special offer. So you can go and take your pick rather than just getting whatever's on special offer.

Anyway, I wouldn't make a special trip to France just to buy single malt, but it's a good opportunity to stock up.

catwoman73

In my limited experience, the spirits on sale in Europe seem to be stronger than those sold in the uk, as well as being considerably cheaper. Travelling to Spain and Gibraltar soon - looking forward to stocking up on some bargains.

Even in high priced Scandinavia, I got a litre of 47% Bombay Sapphire for £12.