JNB Duty Free Liquor & Cigars ???

Wildwillalaska

Wildwillalaska

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Anyone recently through JNB to know off-hand what kind of selection for good bourbons and if cigar humidor at any of the duty free…and how early they open up or weird regs for hours they can sell spirits?

I’ve flown through Doha last few trips and spoiled by the duty free selection for fine liquor and especially cigars. With present uncertainties in Middle East, I opted to travel through JNB on Delta (Not happy about it for several reasons). I’ll get in after 7pm and airlink to Harare next morning just after 6am. So duty free may not even be slinging booze that early, if so, would love to know what folks have seen for hours and selection recently.

Cheers,
Will
 
Google is your friend.
Your arrival and departure hours may have you missing out. Perhaps you might make the late hours into BigFive.
I have zero clue about their selection, it's been a while.

Screenshot 2026-03-15 at 19.09.51.png
 
Hmmmm...good bourbon. First we have to define expectations of good. You won't find any rare, dusties I'm afraid. If Bulleit and Jack Daniel's (not bourbon, and I live 90 minutes from the distillery) tickle your fancy, you're good. Your selection of scotches will be much better as they have special runs that you don't see much in the US. As far as rules, that depends. I'm used to duty free being bought before your trip and delivered to you as you board. In ORTambo, I had just arrived and while waiting on my bag wondered over to the small duty free store. I asked the rather bored and disinterested lady behind the counter what the protocol was. She stared blankly at me. I apologized and asked if I had to wait on my return trip to pick up the bottle. She stared blankly at me. Feeling rather dumb at this point, I asked, "If I buy this, can I take it with me? Now?" Now she looked at me like I had an obvious head injury. She said, " You buy it, it's yours. Take it wherever you want..." I thanked her and set the bottle down, leaving the store. I can't say about the cigars. They make me barf. Good luck!
 
This is the very large one you encounter as you leave OR Tambo. They go by the book. The shady one is downstairs by the baggage return when you arrive. If you or the Mrs. like chocolate, it looks like Willy Wonka lives there...
 

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Inside the airport you're going to be SOL.

If you had more time the next day between flights Copa Habana, JJ's, or Habano Cigar & Coffee in Pretoria would likely fulfill your needs.

Liquor wise, I haven't ventured around like I have with the Cigars
 
I suggest the finest 18 month old Southern Comfort. The flaming Dr. Peppers are a true gentleman's tipple.
 
Guess I’ll pack cigars. If I have to check my ammo box separately for Airlink, I can fit a bottle or two into that roller bag. Not a big deal regardless, just spoiled with Doha having all kinds of harder to find Havana cigars at times and shelves of Eagle Rare which we just don’t get often up in AK.

End of the day, I’ll roll with whatever I find…and won’t have to twist my arm to drink Zambezi anyway. Just wanted a good cocktail if I connect in a certain something that has been a type of bucket list for a while. But a cold beer will prove just as well.

I did google and even visited Bug Five’s website before posting my inquiry. Problem with Google and other searches are the intel contradicts itself as much or more than confirms. Even Big Five had some intel about hours a restrictions for alcohol…for Cape Town and another airport, not JNB.
 
Wildwillalaska said:
Anyone recently through JNB to know off-hand what kind of selection for good bourbons and if cigar humidor at any of the duty free…and how early they open up or weird regs for hours they can sell spirits?

I’ve flown through Doha last few trips and spoiled by the duty free selection for fine liquor and especially cigars. With present uncertainties in Middle East, I opted to travel through JNB on Delta (Not happy about it for several reasons). I’ll get in after 7pm and airlink to Harare next morning just after 6am. So duty free may not even be slinging booze that early, if so, would love to know what folks have seen for hours and selection recently.

Cheers,
Will
Click to expand...
Not sure which baggage claim you will use for the delta flight, but at the arrivals hall when you collect your suitcase, if you go around to Carousel 7-10, you will see a bunch of duty free shops there.
i cant tell you if they will be open at 20:00 but it will be your best bet.
I travel often but land mid/late afternoon in jhb and always stop at those duty free shops for chocolates or a bottle of somthing.

You will likely be too early in the morning when you depart for the Big 5 duty free shop.
 
Bourbon selection is very basic in JNB. You can shop on-line and even order ahead and they'll have it waiting for you. Southern Comfort is all I see listed at the moment

bigfivedutyfree.co.za

Spirits | Pre-Order Online | Big Five Duty Free

Big Five Duty Free Shops carry a variety of spirits. Pre-order online and collect in-store at SA's International arrival/departure terminals.
bigfivedutyfree.co.za bigfivedutyfree.co.za
 
My last trip to RSA I purchased duty free liquor in ATL because I recall there being a somewhat limited selection in JNB. We stayed the night at Afton and flew to Kimberly the next morning on Airlink with the liquor. This is where my memory fails me. I don’t recall whether or not I flew with the liquor in cabin or packed it in my checked luggage. Regardless, it did make it to Kimberly without any problem.

Notes:
•My Airlink flight was in country, not out of country like yours.
•Airlink DOES allow you to fly with Duty-Free in-cabin as long as the seal has not been broken. See attached. I would clarify this at Airlink check-in where you still had an opportunity to put PACKAGE in your checked baggage in you needed to.
 

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Just buy your booze at ATL. Next time go through Heathrow and you can head to World of Whisky in T5 and shop till your heart is content.
 
Wildwillalaska said:
Guess I’ll pack cigars. If I have to check my ammo box separately for Airlink, I can fit a bottle or two into that roller bag. Not a big deal regardless, just spoiled with Doha having all kinds of harder to find Havana cigars at times and shelves of Eagle Rare which we just don’t get often up in AK.

End of the day, I’ll roll with whatever I find…and won’t have to twist my arm to drink Zambezi anyway. Just wanted a good cocktail if I connect in a certain something that has been a type of bucket list for a while. But a cold beer will prove just as well.

I did google and even visited Bug Five’s website before posting my inquiry. Problem with Google and other searches are the intel contradicts itself as much or more than confirms. Even Big Five had some intel about hours a restrictions for alcohol…for Cape Town and another airport, not JNB.
Click to expand...
Are you staying at City Lodge or Afton/Africa Sky? If it’s the later two, you might be able to get them to purchase some and have them in your room.

If you like Gin, I believe Big Five carries the Cape Town Pink Lady which is a favorite of mine and I can only ever find flying through Africa. I also make sure grab a couple bottles of KWV or Klipdrift for Brandy Cokes, and bring a few home as well.
 
I had my first brandy coke last year in RSA. What blew my mind was the Coca-Cola! It was like angels singing and children's laughter....wait. What were we talking about?
 
Mtn_Infantry said:
Are you staying at City Lodge or Afton/Africa Sky? If it’s the later two, you might be able to get them to purchase some and have them in your room.

If you like Gin, I believe Big Five carries the Cape Town Pink Lady which is a favorite of mine and I can only ever find flying through Africa. I also make sure grab a couple bottles of KWV or Klipdrift for Brandy Cokes, and bring a few home as well.
Click to expand...
Yall gents trying to get me made fun of. I’m just crashing in RSA then on to Zim. Those gents don’t speak Afrikaans or drink brandy. Speak English and drink whiskey…lol. Learned that first night when asked what I wanted to drink lady trip.

I too enjoyed a brandy and coke in RSA back in June. So mentioned that sounded good. They were like what??? You going to start speaking Afrikaans too? My redneck ass was more than slightly ignorant to the depth of differences given the slight geographical distance between them.
 
Wildwillalaska said:
Anyone recently through JNB to know off-hand what kind of selection for good bourbons and if cigar humidor at any of the duty free…and how early they open up or weird regs for hours they can sell spirits?

I’ve flown through Doha last few trips and spoiled by the duty free selection for fine liquor and especially cigars. With present uncertainties in Middle East, I opted to travel through JNB on Delta (Not happy about it for several reasons). I’ll get in after 7pm and airlink to Harare next morning just after 6am. So duty free may not even be slinging booze that early, if so, would love to know what folks have seen for hours and selection recently.

Cheers,
Will
Click to expand...
There is a good selection there but mostly scotch. I had to find the taste for scotch after so many safari’s! I don’t know why you are taking the 6AM Airlink. Too early for me. I try to take the 10AM.
There is a nice humidor there.
 
Wildwillalaska said:
Yall gents trying to get me made fun of. I’m just crashing in RSA then on to Zim. Those gents don’t speak Afrikaans or drink brandy. Speak English and drink whiskey…lol. Learned that first night when asked what I wanted to drink lady trip.

I too enjoyed a brandy and coke in RSA back in June. So mentioned that sounded good. They were like what??? You going to start speaking Afrikaans too? My redneck ass was more than slightly ignorant to the depth of differences given the slight geographical distance between them.
Click to expand...
Jameson or Gin & Tonic is my personal go to regardless of where I am. The KWV or Klipdrift always makes the trip home when flying through Johannesburg.
 
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