High Times, Costa Mesa

[Lew Barrett]

I just returned home from a business trip to Southern California, and spent a very pleasant hour shopping at High Time in Costa Mesa. This was a really satisfying experience that allowed me to pick up some bargains on rums that simply aren't available in Washington. They were closing out Plantation Grand Res. Barbados for $9 a bottle; having never tried it, I still picked up a few bottles because I couldn't pass the buy up. I also knocked down a Cruzan Single Barrel at $19, which apart from being unavailable here in Washington, struck me as a good buy.

The selection was astounding by my standards and their help was equally knowledgable and friendly. A hearty recommendation to anyone in the area and an equal benefit if you live in a state that they will ship to. Unfortunately, I don't!

In addition to the above, my purchases included:
Zaya (at $26)
Flor de Cana 21 at $29
Flor de Cana 12 at $20
Ron Barcelo Imperial ($24)
Neisson Élevé Sous Bois (a first agricole for me)
A slew of Pampero Anniversarios ($26)
Angostura 5 yr gold ($19)
Centenario XX ($29)
English Harbor 5 ($24?)

So, primarily a bargain hunt for me with one or two exceptions that represented otherwise locally unavailable product. Of course, their shelves were replete with all the desireable high end rums as well, including the entire Angostura line, Diplomatico, El Dorado, and most of the US available Agricoles as well as a broad range of things I've failed to mention. A terrific store.

I was very tempted to buy a Chauffe Coeur based on the controversy that has surrounded it here, but there's a limit to what I could carry on the plane. Next time I'm bringing a spare suitcase and some bubble wrap:D

[Dood]

You should have mentioned that you'd be in the area...some of us live around there. ;)

[Mark B.]

Yep. Hi-Time rocks.

[Hank Koestner]

Lew, that was a great haul. Many great rums!

[RummyPDX]

$26 for zaya you say? Its 40 to 45 here

[Lew Barrett]

Yeah Rummy, $26 for the Zaya. I thought it was a good deal too; there were other great deals, including a good price on Zacapa 23. As I said, I couldn't take advantage of all they had on offer because I had no way to get more than the equivilant of a case home.


Dood, I didn't have much time on this trip because it was a full working week. One of my co-workers and I stole our only truly free afternoon and drove to Costa Mesa from Anaheim, where we were incarcerated. :D Next time, you're on! Contact me if you get to Seattle.

Hank; that wasn't the half of it!

I had no idea what to expect, but from their website and the comments here I reckoned we would be entertained. That was the case, even though it hurt to leave some really nice bottles behind. The weather was beautiful, by the way, but I'm glad to be home.

[Milicent]

Thanks for the tip. I was especially pleased to see Oronoco for only $30.

[Dood]

Yeah Rummy, $26 for the Zaya. I thought it was a good deal too; there were other great deals, including a good price on Zacapa 23. As I said, I couldn't take advantage of all they had on offer because I had no way to get more than the equivilant of a case home.


Dood, I didn't have much time on this trip because it was a full working week. One of my co-workers and I stole our only truly free afternoon and drove to Costa Mesa from Anaheim, where we were incarcerated. :D Next time, you're on! Contact me if you get to Seattle.

Hank; that wasn't the half of it!

I had no idea what to expect, but from their website and the comments here I reckoned we would be entertained. That was the case, even though it hurt to leave some really nice bottles behind. The weather was beautiful, by the way, but I'm glad to be home.

Anaheim...were you in town for the NAMM (sp?) conference? I live less than a mile from the convention center.

I will definitely look you up if I'm ever back in Seattle.

[Lew Barrett]

Good deduction Dood. I was at NAMM, and spent a couple of days before that in related meetings.

I'm a sound guy.

[Dood]

Good deduction Dood. I was at NAMM, and spent a couple of days before that in related meetings.

I'm a sound guy.

There are only 2 reasons people come to Anaheim: Disneyland and Conventions. :)

[Lew Barrett]

There are only 2 reasons people come to Anaheim: Disneyland and Conventions. :)

There's always proximity to High Time if you need a third reason:D

We call Anaheim the Happiest Place on Earth, which I'm sure it is if you're not working a big, aggressive convention.

I came home with a vicious cold, (I always do...too many people to meet) which means I won't be cracking any of my new bottles until I can actually taste them.

If you're following this thread but a bit confused by "NAMM", it is the musical equipment trade show.The National Association of Music Merchants covers acres of space and there's everything from kazoo and mouth harp distributors to large professional sound equipment manufacturers. It is large, noisy and brash, with a lot of spandex (some quite attractive, some not so much), big hair, no hair, tats, piercings, and rock and roll thrown in the mix with guitars, pianos, synths, violins and trumpets. Entertaining for the observer, but can be hard work for participants. It is literally the trade show for the business of making (as opposed to distributing) music.

High Time was easily the best distraction.:D

[Dood]

It is large, noisy and brash, with a lot of spandex (some quite attractive, some not so much), big hair, no hair, tats, piercings, and rock and roll thrown in the mix

True that. The NAMM people kind of stand out in the town run by Disney. It's great for people watching when driving or walking down Harbor Blvd.

[Dood]

Back on topic...

Hi Time will be my destination on Sunday, when I go to replenish my supplies of Ron Matusalem Gran Reserva and Oronoco.

I'm sure there will be some stowaways as well. ;)

[Carbon]

Any places like the Mecca that is Hi Time closer to the Hollywood area in SoCal?

[rumdog007]

Nothing on that scale, but as I previously posted:

Wine and Liquor Depot on Saticoy in Van Nuys.
Beverage Warehouse off Culver Blvd. on McConnell
Wally's Wine and Liquor in LA

[Chili Palmer]

I was able to stop at Hi-Time also while here on a business trip. If you ever get there ask around for Trayce; he and I spoke today for quite a while and he ended up pointing me to Dos Maderas 5+3. Really good guy and an awesome Rum selection!

[forrest]

I was able to stop at Hi-Time also while here on a business trip.

i am so glad you like the place Trayce and i call home.

[Chili Palmer]

i am so glad you like the place Trayce and i call home.

..........glass.gif

[mac]

Its not nearly as good as High Times but Beverage Warehouse is pretty good. Beverage Warehouse Proably stocks 25 rums with good prices, High Times inventory is proably three times that size !!!

[Lew Barrett]

Forrest, prepare for my annual pilgrimage to the fountain in mid January. I'll need to put together a stocking order!glass.gif

[forrest]

Forrest, prepare for my annual pilgrimage to the fountain in mid January

NAMM time already....

Maybe i will go to get some free pick/ cables!!

i'll see you at Hi Time either way!!

[Lew Barrett]

Yes you will. I'll bring you a pick and some strings, you help me pick, no strings attached!

[Dood]

Ah man...NAMM is right around the corner isn't it? No wonder the band is starting to get antsy.

[Lew Barrett]

Not my favorite week to be honest as it's a difficult trade show for us to cover. But it is made tolerable by the knowledge that for a pleasant hour or two Forrest will guide me through the aisles of HT to bottled bliss! I will purchase a few unobtanium (in Washington) bottles to bring back and the trip will be deemed a success! And, I will hear Forrest wax enthusiastic about his favorites. Always a treat!

If you need a pass Dood, let me know.