Ordering spirits online

[kathryn]

As someone lucky enough to live in a state where you can actually order spirits for delivery online, I've had good experiences ordering from Cask in SF.

I'd never order from valleywineandspirits.com again; they canceled my order without even notifying me via email. I received the order confirmation via email and no communication after wards. I sent an email inquiry a few days later asking why it hadn't shipped yet to no response. I checked the order status again just now and it's been canceled, a week after I placed the order.

Anybody have recommendations for better sites/stores?

[CincyCraig]

I order regularly from Hi-Time Cellars in Los Angeles. Great selection and prices, and good service as well.

http://www.hitimewine.net

[EvergreenDan]

Since I live in the dead-zone of MA, I've ordered from DrinkUpNY and had it shipped to NYS during trips. They have free shipping over $100, and they have things that aren't distributed in MA.

[vice]

I've had good experiences from all of the following:

Astor Wine & Spirits

BevMo

DrinkUpNY

K&L

Beltramos

Saratoga Wine Exchange

Binny's (Sam's actually, which was bought by Binny's)

Places worth mentioning that I haven't actually bought from: the already mentioned Hi-Time (best rum selection ever?) and Mount Carmel (awesome amaro selection).

[Boilerfood]

Living in Indiana, I can also vouch for Astor Wine & Spirits.

[kathryn]

Thanks, all!

[jmfangio]

I'll second the recommendation for Hi-Time Wines. And, if you're in California, I'll also add KL Wines, and Beverage Warehouse.

FYI, there was an Op-Ed article in the Los Angeles Times last week about how in many states it's easier to buy a gun online than a bottle of wine.

In most states, ordering a gun online is perfectly legal. As is ordering pornography, cigarettes and ammunition. A bottle of merlot, though, could land you in jail.

A coalition of wine retailers from across the country has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to decide if prohibiting interstate wine transactions is constitutional. If the court takes the case, consumers might finally be able to procure the wine they want, regardless of where it's sold.

Today, nearly 7,000 U.S. wine retailers have a presence on the Web. But just 13 states and the District of Columbia allow consumers to order wine from an out-of-state retailer. Even California, which bills itself as the "land of wine and food," prohibits its citizens from ordering wine from outside the Golden State.