As drinkers are told to stay indoors across the globe, consumers can still stock up on spirits without stepping out of the house. SB presents 10 companies delivering top tipples during lockdown.

On-demand delivery service Drizly provides alcohol within an hour

Flour and eggs might be hard to come by these days, but there’s no need to let your spirits stocks dwindle.

Spirits are still in good supply and accessible without the need for a trip to the supermarket. While disruption to delivery is to be expected, there are still plenty of companies delivering spirits direct to your door, both in the UK, US and worldwide.

Many firms have seen a surge in demand online, and are working hard to keep deliveries going, while also raising money to help support the hospitality industry.

With more time on your hands, there’s no better time to delve into the vast catalogue of spirits available from specialist retailers online.

So pull on your loungewear (has anyone been wearing anything else?), crack open your laptop and get ordering.

Dekantā

Range: Specialists in Japanese spirits. High-end and rare whiskies

Delivery area: Worldwide, though some disruption should be anticipated

Shipping costs: Shipping rates vary depending on the delivery address and weight of the package

Website: dekanta.com

Renowned for its vast collection of Japanese whiskies, Dekantā’s selection is for the serious enthusiast. Its site features some of the world’s most rarest, and expensive, malts with prices ranging from modest miniatures at around £30 (US$37) to an eye-watering £74,304 (US$92,550) for the Karuizawa Samurai 1-10 collection. The site ships worldwide, though expect to experience some disruption at this time.

For some light entertainment, the retailer has created a Japanese Whisky Lockdown series with episodes released on Youtube every Friday at 8.30pm EDT. The series is presented by Japanese comedian Kilara Sen and features guests such as whisky expert Dave Broom. Each episode will raise money for Wellcome’s Covid-Zero Fund, with Dekantā pledging to match donations from viewers.

Amazon

Range: Spirits, beer, wine

Delivery area: Worldwide

Shipping costs: Varies, but typically free for orders over £20 (US$25) fulfilled by Amazon

Website: amazon.com

The world’s one-stop supermarket, Amazon has an impressive selection of spirits available to order for home delivery from hundreds if not thousands of retailers. Stocks and selection will vary greatly depending on where you are based, but the basics should be covered in all locations.

Amazon Prime Now also offers a one to two-hour delivery slot for selected items, including alcohol, to many locations worldwide, so you may be able to cut your delivery time down even further. Note that Amazon are currently prioritising products that customers need the most, which may affect delivery of certain items, including alcohol.

In October last year, Amazon made its first foray into spirits with the launch of Tovess Single Batch Crafted Dry Gin, the first expression in a new range of spirits.

31 Dover

Range: Spirits, liqueurs, wine, mixers, beer

Delivery area: UK only

Shipping costs: Under £40 (US$50) = £9.95 (US$12.40), over £40 = £2.49 (US$3.10)

Website: 31dover.com

Offering a huge selection of spirits and liqueurs, 31 Dover is working harder than ever to deliver. It reported a 158% surge in sales during the second half of March compared to February, and has since issued a call to spirits brands that have lost their on-trade custom due to Covid-19 to seek a partnership with them.

The firm has also recorded increased demand for its next-day delivery service, 31 Delivered. In March, consumer use of 31 Delivered rose by 325% compared to February. Its selection is far-reaching, however the team has made one clever repurposing of the popular Drinks by the Dram advent calendars by instead offering them as “boozy lockdown countdown calendars”, which if nothing else will help you keep track of what day it is, all available at a reduced price.

All deliveries are through DPD, and the site is still offering next day delivery, however with the caveat that due to the current circumstances, deliveries may take longer than usual.

The Drop Store

Range: Spirits, Sherry and vermouth, plus beer, wine and mixers

Delivery area: UK only

Shipping costs: Free for UK orders over £30 (US$37). Otherwise, £4.99 (US$6.20) for orders under 10kg, £9.95 (US$12.40) for orders over 10kg

Website: thedropstore.com

A one-stop shop for all your booze needs, The Drop Store is continuing to ship amidst the global pandemic, offering bottles to suit all tastes. It’s currently offering a pick and mix offer of three bottles for £35 (US$46), making £11.66 (US$14.50) a bottle a pretty good deal, if the spirits offered float your boat.

Fans of Peaky Blinders can also bag three bottles inspired by the period crime drama for £45 (US$56) with the code PEAKY45. While orders are being accepted as normal, the site has issued guidance that delays to deliveries should be expected, with a current timescale of seven-10 days. “Please be mindful of this and allow at least seven days before chasing a tracking number. If there is a major delay in any delivery we will let you know and also update our website with the details.”

The site is operated by Whitley Neill gin owner Halewood Wines & Spirits.

Reserve Bar

Range: Spirits, wine, beer, cocktails and Champagne, as well as engraved bottles

Delivery area: US only

Shipping costs: Currently free

Website: reservebar.com

Reserve Bar ships a vast selection of Scotch, rum, Cognac, mezcal and everything in between across the US. Its ‘rare and exceptional’ selection currently features a bottle of The Macallan 2018 Exceptional Single Cask No. 23 for a cool US$10,000.

But there’s plenty of choice at the opposite end of the price spectrum too with bottles of Scotch starting from US$28. There’s also an impressive selection of celebrity brands stocked, including Ryan Reynolds’ Aviation Gin, Bob Dylan’s American whiskey brand Heaven’s Door, Dos Hombres Mezcal from Breaking Bad stars Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston, and George Clooney-founded Casamigos Tequila.

It also offers personalised engraving on select bottles, making it great for a socially distanced gift for your nearest and dearest. Orders are being accepted as normal, with a warning that delivery may be unexpectedly affected.

The Whisky Exchange

Range: Whisky specialists

Delivery area: UK and international (however shipping times may be longer)

Shipping costs: UK: currently free over £100 (US$124). Standard £4.95 (US$6.15). Express also available up to £10.95 (US$13.60). International fees varies

Website: thewhiskyexchange.com

Another behemoth of the online whisky world, The Whisky Exchange is also working hard to keep the wheels turning and deliver its whiskies to the world. Founded in 1999 by brothers Rajbir and Sukhinder Singh, The Whisky Exchange is home to some of the world’s rarest drops.

In February, it added two new Karuizawa Japanese whiskies to its Geisha series: 146 bottles of Sapphire Geisha Karuizawa 31 Year Old Sherry Cask #3558 at £12,500 (US$16,305), and 105 bottles of the Sapphire Geisha Karuizawa 36 Year Old Sherry Cask #5077 priced at £15,000 (US$19,565).

The Whisky Exchange’s online site remains open, but due to increased demand delivery timeframes may be longer than usual, while click and collect orders from its Park Royal HQ in the UK have been suspended until further notice.

The team is still accepting international orders, however due to global restrictions on movement, shipping may take a few days longer than normal.

Last month, The Whisky Exchange opened its third London store in the city’s London Bridge. All shops remain closed at this time.

Spirit Store

Range: Spirits, beer, vegan and alcohol-free ranges, plus bar equipment and glassware

Delivery area: UK only

Shipping costs: Due to high demand, standard delivery has increased to three to five working days. For purchases under £78 (US$97), delivery is £8.40 (US$10.40). Over £78, delivery costs £3 (US$3.70)

Website: spiritstore.co.uk

Spirit Store offers a wide selection of discount spirits, offering “cheap” alcohol, from beers and wines, to big name spirits including Jack Daniel’s whiskey, Smirnoff vodka, Gordon’s gin and more, and promises to beat other online stores and supermarkets on price.

Next day alcohol delivery service is available when you order before 11am BST. And there’s good news for people in Sheffield. Anyone with a Sheffield postcode, where the company’s headquarters is based, can get free/same/next day delivery when spending £35 (US$43.50) by using the code SHEFFCOVID19. This is due to an abundance of delivery drivers in the area while the English city’s shops and bars remain closed.

Drizly

Range: Beer, wine and spirits, plus mixers, snacks, decorations and ice

Delivery area: 26 US states only within 60 minutes, although orders are being “significantly delayed” at this time

Shipping costs: US$5 for local delivery. For shipped orders, flat fee per box, which varies based on location and retailer suppling

Website: drizly.com

Drizly, the US on-demand drinks delivery service, is continuing to operate across the US despite the global pandemic. Reliant on local retail partners, Drizly allows users to order beverages available in their city, with the promise that it will arrive within a 60-minute timeframe.

This USP is being severely disrupted by the current circumstances, but the company is still able to deliver the same day and is encouraging orders to help support the businesses that can currently not open.

A statement on its website read: “Our retail partners are doing everything they can to get your deliveries to you as quickly as possible, but we do ask for your understanding in the case of any unexpected delays due to a higher order volume. As always, please feel free to give them a tip and an extra thank you for their hard work. Please note, if you or someone in your home is sick and/or quarantined, we respectfully ask that you do not place an order during this time.”

Chase Distillery

Range: Vodka, gin, ready-to-drink cocktails

Delivery area: UK only

Shipping costs: Currently free (two to four working days)

Website: chasedistillery.co.uk

The English spirits producer is keeping calm and carrying on in the face of Covid-19, with its online shop currently offering two bottles of its flavoured gins for £65 (US$80). This includes its Chase Hedgerow Elderflower Gin and Chase Seville Marmalade Gin, usually £38.50 (US$47.90).

Delivery is currently free for the duration of May, and while you shouldn’t be surprised if delivery is disrupted, Chase hasn’t expressly warned of extended delivery time frames, unlike many online retailers.

When news of the pandemic broke, Chase became one of the many distilleries to switch its production to making hand sanitiser, which you can also order with a bottle.

While the distillery has already donated more than 30,000 bottles to key workers in its local area, a case of six 300ml bottles of HR1 sanitiser is available to purchase priced at £45 (US$56).

James Chase, global brand ambassador for Chase Distillery, said: “While it might only be [a] small help, we hope it allows people [to] stay as hygienic as possible during this challenging time. We’ve also donated several tonnes of potatoes to local food banks and we’ll continue to do all we can to support those most in need.”

Master of Malt

Range: Whisky specialists

Delivery area: Worldwide, though not delivering to many countries at this time. Check before ordering here

Shipping costs: UK, free standard delivery on orders over £99 (US$123). Up to £6.95 (US$8.60) for smaller orders. International fees vary

Website: masterofmalt.com

One of the most comprehensive selections of whisky and tasting notes available online, Master of Malt saw online orders increase by almost 200% in the last week of March in parallel with the introduction of social distancing measures.

Jason Hockman, Master of Malt general manager, said: “We’re working with our suppliers to keep these lines in stock, and with our valued logistics partners to keep the orders flowing. We’re traditionally a spirits-based business, and our regular customers can rest assured we’re also keeping a close eye on our speciality whisky and gin expressions to make sure everyone can still get their favourite bottle at this difficult time.”

Customers can also take advantage of its Drinks by the Dram 30ml samples, allowing you to try a drop before committing to a full bottle, with 1000s available to choose from.

The retailer is also donating £1 (US$1.20) from every order placed to support the hospitality industry and those affected by Covid-19. So far, as of 4 May, £109,999 (US$136,725) had been raised.