Category Archives: Spirits

Whiskey Hotline Hits the Road: Brett in Scotland 2013

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Roseisle Distillery

 

First stop: Roseisle, the new Diageo monolith. This is either the largest or second largest distillery in Scotland, depending on whose marketing suits you want to believe. This place is gigantic. 13 million Liter capacity. Besides being large, it’s a technological marvel, with the ability to pump out malt with any flavor profile, by manipulating mash times, ferment times, copper contact, and so on. Theoretically, they could produce all the malt needed to construct a Johnnie Walker blend. Despite its size, you malt fans shouldn’t feel threatened – Diageo is also expanding most of their other distilleries in Speyside.

 

Roseisle Maltings

 

Next is Roseisle Maltings, which is so massive it can churn out  600 tonnes of malted barley in less than a week. This facility, plus the Ord and Brughead facilities, supply all the malt needed for Diageo’s Speyside and Highland distilleries. Another interesting note, the Roseisle Maltings is 100% energy neutral for heating needs – meaning they use the waste from the malting process to fuel the facility.

 

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Enjoy Golf’s Best Round with Grey Goose

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Grey Goose wants to get you out to the course, and they want you to golf for free. So here’s the deal: buy a 750mL bottle of Grey Goose Vodka with a special offer mail-in necker form. Fill it out, mail it in, and they’ll mail you a voucher for a free round of golf, including 18 and a cart. It’s a sweet deal. Can’t find a bottle with the special mail-in offer? Download one here. And it’s good on all Grey Goose flavors. You might remember a similar offer from Dewar’s last year.

 

This year’s participating courses:

 

Bolingbrook Golf Club – Bolingbrook, IL
Cog Hill County Club – Lemont, IL
Deer Path – Lake Forest, IL
Eagle Ridge Golf Club – Galena, IL
Highland Park Country Club – Highland Park, IL
Pine Meadows Golf Club – Mundelein, IL
Seven Bridges Golf Course – Woodridge, IL
Stone Creek Golf Club – Urbana, IL
Fox Lake – Fox Lake, IL
Thunder Hawk Golf Club – Beach Park, IL
Weaver Ridge Golf Club – Peoria, IL
The Links at Carillon – Plainfield, IL

 

This program runs through June 30th, so hurry. Splashier info page about this promotion here.

 

Cinco de Binny’s: Taco Night

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Jalepeno. Cilantro. Mango.

 

YUM.

 

Binny’s South Loop Tasting Room bartender, Josh Dempsey has done it again! You can find him this weekend whipping up some SPICY (yet sweet) margaritas! Can’t make it to the bar? Here’s how to create your own!

 

Cocktail GlassTaco Night

 

2 oz Camarena Silver Tequila
1/4 oz Luxardo Triple Sec
1 1/2 oz Mango Puree
2 oz Stirrings Margarita Mix
Slice of Jalapeno
Lime wheel
2-3 Sprigs of Cilantro

 

Mix together and shake. Strain into a margarita glass and garnish with lime wheel and slice of jalapeno! Aplausos!

 

Binny’s Derby Mint Julep

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It’s time for the Kentucky Derby! We’re celebrating with a classic – you guessed it – a Mint Julep. Of course our favorite is a Buffalo Trace Mint Julep. We headed to the South Loop Tasting Room for this not-so-secret recipe:

 

Derby Mint Julep
 
2 1/2 oz Buffalo Trace Bourbon
1/2 oz Simple Syrup
2 oz Water
4 Sprigs of Mint
 
Muddle the sprigs of mint with the simple syrup. Pour in bourbon and water. Serve on the rocks with a mint sprig garnish!

 

Quick Flight, Small Pours

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Whiskey Mystery.

…a great read.

 

Major League Craft Beer.

Click through for the slideshow. Step up your game, Chicago.

 

2012 Bordeaux Futures are out now, prices have come down.

Buy yours at Binny’s now if you’re in the market.

 

Breaking News: “Beer Taste Excites Male Brain.”

Hard hitting.

 

Remember that Maker’s Mark thing? Beam did it with Old Grand-Dad too.

Nobody seemed to notice. Thanks Chuck.

 

Thoughts?

Check out the Newly Renovated Binny’s in Elmwood Park

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Binny's in Elmwood Park

 

Have you shopped Binny’s Elmwood Park lately? Now is a great time to give the store another visit. We’re just putting the finishing touches on a store-wide remodel, and it’s looking great.

 

First, we updated the shelving. This allowed us to expand every category in the store, with craft beer and wine coming out on top as big winners in the move. The wine is laying down in bins and the previously tall shelves have been lowered, opening up the general space. Add in a fresh coat of paint and some pretty pictures, and it’s almost like new.

 

Next, we added a full walk-in humidor, bringing our chainwide total up to 25. With 800 different cigars in the humidor, Binny’s offers  the best cigar selection in the area, hands down. A humidor isn’t a humidor without a cigar expert, so we’re excited to have cigar consultant Marc LeBlanc on the Elmwood Park team. Joining Marc are several new more staff members manning departments all across the store.

 

So swing by! Check out all the improvements we’ve made. Hope to see you at the Elmwood Park Binny’s!

 

All New Humidor

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World of Whiskies 2013

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We tell this story every year, and it gets better every year.

 

Last night was the 10th annual, big big Binny’s World of Whiskies event. It was bigger and better than ever. There were 75 tables holding more bottles of whiskey than we could count. There was a cake shaped like Mark Twain. Pop Tart wrapper space suits and a rocket. Live cigar rolling. A whole crowd of friendly whiskey enthusiasts. Cookies. All our rowdy friends in the spirits industry. Kilts. Cocktails. And then more whiskey.

 

Tons more pics of the event after the jump.

 

If you made it, be sure to head over to the Gallery on the Binny’s Facebook Page, where you’ll find even more pics, including pictures of you in front of the Binny’s logo wall. Tag all your friends! And like us while you’re there. See you in 2014!

 

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Two Upcoming Events at Highland Park

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Check out these exciting events coming up at the Highland Park Binny’s.

 

 

The Macallan Portfolio Seminar
presented by Jeremy Fonicello
Thursday, April 4th, 6:30-8:30pm

 

Join Macallan’s brand ambassador to the United States, Jeremy Fonicello, on a guided tour of the lauded distillery’s portfolio. Jeremy will share his passion for the 187-year tradition of whisky making and the heritage of The Macallan in his distinct storytelling style. Don’t miss this chance to ask Jeremy why his favorite dram has always been The Macallan 18 year old.

 

RSVP for this limited event by calling 847-831-5400 or emailing highlandpark@binnys.com

 

 

 

Seraphine Chai Vodka Launch Party
featuring artist Jonatas Chimen
Thursday, April 18th, 6:30 to 8:30 pm

 

Have you tasted Seraphine? This delicious new Chai Tea flavored vodka is a blend of Yahara Bay’s excellent vodka and organic black chai tea. This spirit is perfect for a Chai Latte Martini or served White Russian style over ice. Binny’s is proud to host the launch party for the artist’s edition bottle, featuring bottle artist Jonatas Chimen. Come taste some chai tea vodka and have your bottle signed by the artist!
 

Countdown to St. Patrick’s Day: Two Days!

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It’s Thursday and we’re ready for some Whiskey! Celebrate this St. Patrick’s Day weekend with an authentic Irish cocktail!

 

2 Days Left to St Patrick’s Day Weekend! Sláinte!

 

Bushmills Irish Buck


1.5 oz Bushmills Blended Irish Whiskey
2 oz Ginger Ale
1 Squeeze Lime Juice
1 Wheel Lime

 

Combine the whiskey and lime juice over ice in a collins glass. Top with ginger ale and garnish with a lime wheel.