Bourbon in the New York Times

An NYT tasting panel takes on bourbon.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Pappy Van Winkle (20 year) takes top billing (the tasting report is a separate link in the sidebar). Some good background on history, distilling process, requirements, etc. in there as well.

Speaking of which, does anyone know of a liquor store in Chicago that carries the full complement of Van Winkle bourbons? Or at least 3 or more selections? It seems that the past few trips I've had to Sam's and Binny's (on Grand), they carry only the 20 year and the 12 year. I'd really like to track down another bottle of the 10 year as a good everyday option.

Matt wrote:Speaking of which, does anyone know of a liquor store in Chicago that carries the full complement of Van Winkle bourbons? Or at least 3 or more selections? It seems that the past few trips I've had to Sam's and Binny's (on Grand), they carry only the 20 year and the 12 year. I'd really like to track down another bottle of the 10 year as a good everyday option.

I was just at Binny's on Grand yesterday afternoon and they had, at a minimum, Van Winkle 10 year (both 90 and 107 proof), 12, 20, and 23 year available.

I would highly recommend picking up what's left of the 10 year 107 proof (~$29).

We stopped by the Binny's on Dempster last weekend and were informed they were no longer distributing Dickel. White Label is our house bourbon, so we were pretty disappointed.

PIGMON wrote:

Matt wrote:Speaking of which, does anyone know of a liquor store in Chicago that carries the full complement of Van Winkle bourbons? Or at least 3 or more selections? It seems that the past few trips I've had to Sam's and Binny's (on Grand), they carry only the 20 year and the 12 year. I'd really like to track down another bottle of the 10 year as a good everyday option.

I was just at Binny's on Grand yesterday afternoon and they had, at a minimum, Van Winkle 10 year (both 90 and 107 proof), 12, 20, and 23 year available.

I would highly recommend picking up what's left of the 10 year 107 proof (~$29).

Thanks, PIGMON. I picked up a bottle of the 107 proof late this afternoon. After locating it today, I suspect I was probably wrong about Binny's on Grand not carrying most of the Van Winkle line (although I believe they may more regularly run out of the 10 year, 107 proof and the 15 year) -- the only two I didn't see were the 23 year and the rye. Instead, I think I was always looking for the whole Van Winkle line on the same shelf -- I just assumed the "family" would be kept together. Instead, it's the 12, 15 and 20 on the top shelf and the two 10 year varieties a few shelf downs. Considering that the bottles of the 10 year look more or less like bottles for run of the mill rotgut, they're easy to miss. In addition to the now 2 bottles of 107 proof, there were probably a dozen or more bottles of the 90 proof.

Matt wrote:Thanks, PIGMON. I picked up a bottle of the 107 proof late this afternoon.

Matt,

Pigmon turned me on to the Van Winkle 10 year 107 a while ago, thanks (I think), and I've found Binny's the best source, though they do not always have it in stock.

In the less expensive price range I'm quite partial to the Weller 107 and, going up in price Van Winkle Family Reserve or Black Maple Hill.

Enjoy,
Gary

G Wiv wrote:Pigmon turned me on to the Van Winkle 10 year 107 a while ago, thanks (I think), and I've found Binny's the best source, though they do not always have it in stock.

I talked at length with Bryant, the manager over at the Grand Ave. Binny's on Saturday. He claimed that they only get maybe 3 or 4 cases annually of the Van Winkle 107 proof (a big allotment by Van Winkle standards since Binny's is one of their major suppliers nationally). Once it sells out, it's gone until the following year.

They didn't include Booker's.

RiverWester wrote:They didn't include Booker's.

Because bookers is overalcoholic rediculously hot schlock

We could very easily do a bourbon tasting at my house sometime- I've got basically all the macro distilled bourbons (minus some of the cheaper stuff) and about another 15-20 bottles of micro distilled bourbon. Come Hanukkah and if I see a bonus this year (unlikely, but perhaps), then I'd expect that number to nearly double.

Bookers is good Bourbon. You definitely don't sound like you're from Kentucky!!

In 1988, Booker Noe introduced his own signature bourbon, Booker's True Barrel Bourbon. Hand-selected and bottled straight from the barrel by Booker Noe, Grandson of Jim Beam. Inspired by a 200 year old tradition, Booker's is the only bourbon bottled straight from the barrel, uncut and unfiltered. First created as a holiday gift for his special friends, Booker's whsikey was so well received that he decided to make it available to bourbon lovers worldwide; much to the joy of spirit connoisseurs everywhere. Booker's is the rarest, absolute best bourbon available.

Btw, does Binny even drink?

jpschust wrote:

RiverWester wrote:They didn't include Booker's.

Because bookers is overalcoholic rediculously hot schlock

.

If drank straight up I agree Bookers is hot (yes overly so), but drink it with just one ice cube and a very small splash of water and you release some very beautiful flavors and back that heat down.

I was just joking, hence the smiley face. It's actually not one of my favorite bourbons, but I'll give my little secret with it. when I'm at a bar that I'm sure doesn't have a fresh bottle of angostura (bitters, what are those?) I'll get a manhattan, no bitters, perfect on the rocks and the heat of the bookers will add some of the missing spice of the bitters.

You gotta love the bookers. A little bit of ice is great with it. Nothing like a bottle of Bookers to get the party rollin. I also like their choice of jim Beam Black as the #1 for the value. I agree their. The first time I tried it I liked it. I now use it in either a high or low ball.

Disclaimer: I am biased as I do work for Jim Beam.

However, you all want to get together for a tasting I am sure I can supply some quality Bourban!

House of Glunz also carries Pappy Van Winkle as well as some other hard to find whiskeys.

i stopped into an estate sale today in uptown; really just to see the gorgeous house, but the stuff they were selling included half opened bottles of booze. you're all going to think i'm weird, but i bought a half bottle of booker's bourbon. after checking it for floating objects, it sounds like i definitely shouldn't try drinking it straight up, based on past posts. a little water and ice? (i paid $2 for it). justjoan