Binny’s Top 25 Cigars of 2012

Binny's Top 25 Cigars of 2012

Oliva Serie V Melanio Robusto 5x52#1

 

Oliva Serie V Melanio Robusto 5×52

The latest addition to the Serie V line is the Oliva Serie V Melanio, named after the family’s patriach, Melanio Oliva. This new cigar places an emphasis on tobacco grown in Nicaragua’s famed Jalapa region and is blended using expertly fermented ligero fillers, leaves known for their robust and rich flavors. The wrapper is grown from a proprietary seed by Oliva in Ecuador and is put through a rigorous hand selection process in order to choose only the finest leaves. Five years in the making, this special cigar is sure to exceed your highest expectations.

Regular Price: $9.50  Binny’s Card Member Price:

La Aroma De Cuba Mi Amor  Reserva Maximo 5.5x54#2

 

La Aroma De Cuba Mi Amor Reserva Maximo 5.5×54

La Aroma De Cuba is one of the hottest and fastest growing cigar brands in the world today. The release of the Mi Amor Reserva will only add to that. This cigar is blended and manufactured by Jose and Jaime Garcia at their state-of-the-art factory in Esteli, Nicaragua. Gorgeous chocolaty-brown Oscuro wrappers grown in Mexico from Cuban seeds accompany a beautifully-bold blend of the finest, most diligently aged Nicaraguan tobaccos. Full-bodied in strength, this new masterpiece boats a rich and decadent flavor-profile defined by regal notes of earth, spice, cedar, and a luscious chocolaty finish.

Regular Price: $9.25  Binny’s Card Member Price:

Marca Binny's Seleccion Limitada Primeros 6.5x54#3

 

Marca Binny’s Seleccion Limitada Primeros 6.5×54

In order to create a great cigar you need to go to a great cigar maker and that’s why we approached Ernesto Perez-Carrillo with the idea of making us a limited edition cigar that could stand up to any other name brand on today’s market. A great cigar is what he made and we could not be any more pleased with the end result. Our Marca Binny’s Seleccion Limitada Primeros uses tobaccos grown in the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Brazil that have been aged for a minimum of five years. This combination puts forth an extremely well-balanced medium to full-bodied cigar that exudes flavors of caramel, coffee bean, cafe con leche, and sweet cedar. Only 500 boxes were produced with each box being individually numbered.

Regular Price: $9.95  Binny’s Card Member Price:

Continue reading

Binny’s Top Ten of 2012

Binny's Top 10 of 2012

 

Binny’s Beverage Depot has the best and brightest people in the industry. Over the last calendar year, we have studied, handled, sampled and sold over 50,000 products. We asked Binny’s specialists from Chicago to Champaign for their Top Ten picks from 2012. The only ground rule was these items must still be available at most Binny’s stores. Distilling the list down to .02% of everything that passed through our 29 stores wasn’t easy.

 

W.L. Weller 12 Year Old BourbonFirestone Walker Wookey Jack

#10  W.L. Weller 12 Year Old Bourbon
The perfect wheated bourbon for every day. Butterscotch, cinnamon, nutmeg, toffee and custard all in one easy sipper. Ever hear someone say they don’t like bourbon? Weller might change their mind. - Will Heine, Assistant Manager at Binny’s Downtown Chicago, will@binnys.com
Chuck Campagna, General Manager at Binny’s in Niles, chuck@binnys.com

 

#9 Firestone Walker Wookey Jack
We always love rye IPA, and Wookey Jack isn’t just a rye IPA, it’s a Black Rye IPA! Love that bite of rye malt, plus the lively citrus. Wookey Jack is another outstanding beer from Firestone Walker. - Martin Elkmann, Beer Consultant at Binny’s in St. Charles, melkmann@binnys.com

 

Bodegas Borsao Berola El Credito El Perrito

#8 Bodegas Borsao Berola
Ripe black cherry and more tannins and acidity than the price suggests. Ten months of oak aging adds balance and vanilla notes. Another ten months of bottle aging makes this Berola ready to pop right now. - Cristian Martinez, Wine Consultant at Binny’s Glen Ellyn, cristian@binnys.com

 

#7 El Credito El Perrito Cigar
A powerful little Dominican dogwalker – el Perrito means “little dog” in Spanish – and a howling success. Rustic and gutsy with a Connecticut broadleaf binder and an Ecuador Habano wrapper. Give you and your canine a new leash on life when you’re out for a stroll. - David Stevens, Cigar Consultant at Binny’s in Highland Park, dstevens@binnys.com

 

2011 Domaine Laroque Vins de Pays de la Cite de CarcassonnePlantation 20 year Anniversary Rum

#6 2011 Domaine Laroque Vins de Pays de la Cite de Carcassonne
A ridiculous value. Savage elegance defines this stunning Bordeaux lookalike. Cabernet franc driven, its big herbal flavors are enhanced by ripe black fruits and a richness that belies its reasonable price. - David Poweska, CSW, Wine Manager at Binny’s in Bloomingdale, dpoweska@binnys.com
Michael Bach, Wine Manager at Binny’s in Arlington Heights, mbach@binnys.com

 

#5 Plantation 20 Year Anniversary Rum
Our favorite rum under $40. This is a blend of old Barbados rums aged in Bourbon barrels for boldness and then in Cognac barrels for elegance. Notes of vanilla, banana, coconut and toffee. An ideal sipping rum, light and easygoing. - David Bond, General Manager at Binny’s in Algonquin, dbond@binnys.com
Dan Culen, General Manager at Binny’s in Glen Ellyn, dculen@binnys.com

 

Lagunitas A Little Sumpin' Sumpin' AleAndre Tissot Cremant du Jura  Extra Brut

#4 Lagunitas A Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’ Ale
This California (soon to be Chicago!) brewery has many great beers, but none as popular as Lil Sumpin’. The flavor, a touch of wheat and a blast of fresh hops, makes this one of the best beers we’ve ever had. Its loyal following made it a top seller. - Trevor Hagen, Beer Consultant at Binny’s in Glen Ellyn, trevor@binnys.com
Jerry Krzak, Beer Consultant at Binny’s in River Grove, jkrzak@binnys.com

 

#3 Andre Tissot Cremant du Jura Extra Brut
From traditional Champagne varietals, this sparkler shows subtle notes of almonds, pastry dough, baking spice, and red apple skin that all meld together in a cider-like aroma. The QPR is fantastic! Seek it out because bubbly at this price is just too good to pass up. - Don Sheil, Wine Manager at Binny’s South Loop, dsheil@binnys.com

 

Revolution Eugene PorterBuffalo Trace Bourbon Handpicked

#2 Revolution Eugene Porter
Well balanced and on the sweet side for the style, which only adds to its drinkability. Black as night, robust, big notes of cocoa and a touch of coffee. From a great new Chicago brewery, finally in cans. What’s not to like about that? - TJ Glovan, Beer Consult at Binny’s in Skokie, aglovan@binnys.com
Chuck Campagna, General Manager at Binny’s in Niles, chuck@binnys.com

 

#1 Buffalo Trace Bourbon Handpicked
No Question, the champion this year is Binny’s Handpicked Buffalo Trace. Not only are these barrels hand selected by our experts, but this is one of the most versatile and value driven bourbons out there. With its inviting bouquet, notes of caramel and cocoa, and endless finish, Buffalo Trace is the old friend you hope to meet again (and again). - Andy Heiden, General Manager at Binny’s in Champaign, aheiden@binnys.com
Gregory Fullham, Wine Consultant at Binny’s in Hyde Park, gregory@binnys.com

 

 

What do you think? Leave a comment with your favorites of the year!

 

Binny’s in Bloomington: Stocking Shelves

Binny's in Bloomington

 

We’re hard at work stocking the brand new Binny’s Beverage Depot in Bloomington, IL! Truckload after truckload of all your favorite wines, spirits and beers are rolling in right now. Find us at 1409 N. Veterans Parkway in Bloomington, Illinois. Next to the Outback. See you soon.

 

The burning question on everybody’s mind is this, “When will you open?” We’re excited to have a special guest, hockey legend Denis Savard on Friday, October 26th. Savard will “drop the puck” at our new location, and will sign Jose Cuervo products. Is that a Grand Opening? It’s a puck dropping, at least. Stay tuned to the Binny’s Blog and our twitter and facebook pages for more info soon.

 

Across the Store

Continue reading

October Cigar Sale

Our most popular cigar sale of the year is back!

 

Through the entire month of October, buy five or more regularly priced cigars, and get 15% off the unit price. That’s it!

 

Well, there’s this not-so-fine print, too:  *Sale excludes All Davidoff products. *Cigars already on sale do not count towards the minimum purchase requirement. *Gift packs, tins & multi-unit packs count as single unit. *Binny’s Card required. *Discount not valid with any other offers. *Sale runs from October 1st – October 31st, 2012. *Disclaimers aren’t fun but this sale is, and you should totally come in and stock up on all your favorite cigars plus find some new favorites while you’re here.