Megamart Namchoen brings some in once per year, at 10,000 per bottle.. sold out in a couple of weeks and they don't reorder.

I noticed the posting about 12,000 won at HomePlus, recently. I visited three HomePlus stores and there was none there.

Has anyone spotted any recent bargains in whiskeys?

i usually go to Gukje market for bottle of Jameson for 25,000. Not as cheap as what you've quoted, but it's a good deal for me. They might also have some cheaper brands there.

Double your price and just opt for a name-brand whiskey, dude. It's not going to tear a hole in your pocket lining. If you're really that frugal, I suggest a bottle of rubbing alcohol or some Dettol.

$10 bottles of whiskey! Reminds me of stuff you could get through a friend of a friend back home. Always a bit of a worry about getting poisoned!

Make the trek to Home Plus Oncheonjang. W12,800 per 700ml for Tesco Scotch that is pretty damn good. I found some fresh mint (leaves) at a GS, and have been getting through these super-muggy days with what I like to call WeikuBoy's Pusan mint juleps.

Pretty much anything that's cheap with a Tesco label on it is almost always going to be pretty decent. It comes down to economies of scale as the world's third largest retailer, behind Wal Mart and Carrefour (freaking hate coming second to the French!) they can afford to 'buy' an entire vineyard or distillery or what have you shove a Tescos label on it and sell the benefits on to the consumer at rock bottom prices. There 8 buck bottles of wine beat many a known vineyards brand at twice the price.

Don't equate price to quality.. it doesn't always work. I'll bet you only wear "real" blue jeans, too. Levi jeans, right?

In any case, the only reason imported alcohol is so expensive is because of luxury tax and profit-markup.
The cut-rate whiskey at Megamart wasn't name-brand, so low mark up. This blend was milder and more flavorful than the name brands, with Black Label the exception.

Next time I am out near Oncheonjang, I will definitely stop at HomePlus and try a bottle.

I bought some Tesco beer as a novelty once. Made Budweiser taste like a fine German lager. How can Brits make such bad beer? Seems like an oxymoron and yet, there it is. It was bitter and not in a good way but like the way medicine is bitter. It was also watery and completely lacking in any hops flavor. A little hint of malt but really, just bad. The Tesco Earl Grey is also really bland. Only the vaguest hint of bergamot. Makes me leery of trying something that requires a lot more artisanship like wine or whisky.

As far as I know tariifs are placed on imported whisky, regardless of the brand, therefore the fact that it isn't a famous brand wouldn't allow it to escape this. Hence, it is probably really cheap whisky which doean't have a huge mark up due to its cheap price.

Also, it depends on your personal taste, but I'm sorry cheap whisky, wine, beer etc. isn't as good as the more expensive stuff in general. There are exceptions of course. Sadly, I don't expect Texco brand to buck the trend, though I could be wrong. Or perhaps I have a semblance of a palate and find offence with cheap and nasty liquor. If you're really worried about price buy soju.

SUCCESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I found a 1.75 litre bottle of SUNTORY at KUKJE shijang..

I paid only 20.000 won for a "double" bottle.

The Suntory whiskey company was founded over 100 years ago.

The Japanese were taught by the Dutch.

I bought the "Suntory Red Blend" , which is the 8 year old aged "single malt Scotch whiskeys" that do not go on to be aged for 12 years.
The Suntory company blends the rejects and sells it cheaply.

[ or, so I have been told]

whatever, I've got a nice buzz on and the Suntory tastes very nice, but without the mellowing of further ageing..

I haven't worn jeans in years, dude--but yeah, I would buy Levis as jeans that last a lot longer than cheaper shyte. Some things you just shouldn't go cheap on, in my opinion. Nothing about personal preference, but the cheaper beers, spirits, etc. have given me the worst hangovers.