The Whiskey Hotline: Scouring the World for Limited Rarities & Exclusive Handpicked Spirits

Started by the Teeling family in 2015, Dublin's first new distillery in 125 years has earned a reputation for producing flavorful and interesting Irish whiskies with a focus on unique finishes. Their storage warehouses are a veritable playground for whiskey enthusiasts, with casks of every style and shape stacked to the ceiling. We were there last fall, touring their warehouses and came across a printed listing of the casks stacked in that corner. After surreptitiously thumbing through this list, we stumbled on one of the coolest whiskey and finishing combos we've seen. What we found is their peated Blackpitts whiskey finished in pineapple rum casks. For most consumers of fine spirits, pineapple rum is approached with a touch of cynicism, but this particular rum is a throwback to Victorian era production, when the bark of the pineapple was steeped in aging spirit, resulting in a tropical top note rather than an overdone sweetness. We asked to taste this cask and were immediately in love. While we were at it, we chose another Blackpitts matured in rich PX sherry casks. Both of these were bottled at natural cask strength. 

Started by the Teeling family in 2015, Dublin's first new distillery in 125 years has earned a reputation for producing flavorful and interesting Irish whiskies with a focus on unique finishes. Their storage warehouses are a veritable playground for whiskey enthusiasts, with casks of every style and shape stacked to the ceiling. We were there last fall, touring their warehouses and came across a printed listing of the casks stacked in that corner. After surreptitiously thumbing through this list, we stumbled on one of the coolest whiskey and finishing combos we've seen. What we found is their peated Blackpitts whiskey finished in pineapple rum casks. For most consumers of fine spirits, pineapple rum is approached with a touch of cynicism, but this particular rum is a throwback to Victorian era production, when the bark of the pineapple was steeped in aging spirit, resulting in a tropical top note rather than an overdone sweetness. We asked to taste this cask and were immediately in love. While we were at it, we chose another Blackpitts matured in rich PX sherry casks. Both of these were bottled at natural cask strength. 

Tucked between San Francisco and Santa Rosa is the Redwood Empire distillery. Named after the redwood forest that they call home, their whiskies honor those who worked to preserve the forest and the trees themselves. Their latest release is named for Colonel Armstrong, the oldest tree in nearby Armstrong Woods. The tree was named for Col James Armstrong, who was in the Union Army during the Civil War. After the war, he moved to Northern California and preserved an important part of the redwood forest. Made from a high wheat four grain mash bill of 59% corn/ 30% wheat/ 6% rye/ 5% malted barley and bottled at 94 proof, this is a stunning bourbon not to be missed by wheater devotees. 

Started by the Teeling family in 2015, Dublin's first new distillery in 125 years has earned a reputation for producing flavorful and interesting Irish whiskies with a focus on unique finishes. Their storage warehouses are a veritable playground for whiskey enthusiasts, with casks of every style and shape stacked to the ceiling. We were there last fall, touring their warehouses and came across a printed listing of the casks stacked in that corner. After surreptitiously thumbing through this list, we stumbled on one of the coolest whiskey and finishing combos we've seen. What we found is their peated Blackpitts whiskey finished in pineapple rum casks. For most consumers of fine spirits, pineapple rum is approached with a touch of cynicism, but this particular rum is a throwback to Victorian era production, when the bark of the pineapple was steeped in aging spirit, resulting in a tropical top note rather than an overdone sweetness. We asked to taste this cask and were immediately in love. While we were at it, we chose another Blackpitts matured in rich PX sherry casks. Both of these were bottled at natural cask strength. 

Bottled at 80 proof and utilizing Jim Beam's high rye mash bill, Basil Hayden has offered consistent and approachable bourbon that still manages to provide a flavorful drinking experience to seasoned bourbon lovers and those new to the category. Their latest innovation sees finishing in Cognac casks that previously held 20 to 25-year-old spirit. Combining the grace of Basil Hayden with the elegance of French Cognac, it truly wears the finish on its sleeve.  

Tucked between San Francisco and Santa Rosa is the Redwood Empire distillery. Named after the redwood forest that they call home, their whiskies honor those who worked to preserve the forest and the trees themselves. Their latest release is named for Colonel Armstrong, the oldest tree in nearby Armstrong Woods. The tree was named for Col James Armstrong, who was in the Union Army during the Civil War. After the war, he moved to Northern California and preserved an important part of the redwood forest. Made from a high wheat four grain mash bill of 59% corn/ 30% wheat/ 6% rye/ 5% malted barley and bottled at 94 proof, this is a stunning bourbon not to be missed by wheater devotees. 

Angel’s Envy has been utilizing finishing casks in the production since their inception, finishing their flagship bourbon in ruby port casks. Under the watchful eye of master distiller Owen Martin, they've leaned into their reputation, with releases of rye and bourbon in interesting finishes. Their latest is the 6th Cellar Collection release, and it’s one of our favorites. For this bottling, their fully mature cask strength rye was finished in a combination of toasted oak and peach brandy barrels. Bottled at a powerful 106.4 proof, it’s the perfect combination of fruit and spice. Grab yours today before it’s all gone.

Mijenta has been producing some of our favorite tequilas on our shelves for years. Led by Ana María Romero, they focus on the traditions and terroir of tequila. Their latest release is the third in their Maestra Selection series. Following releases that focused on seed grown agave and geographic tequilas, the new release is all about ancestral tequila making techniques. Focusing on pre-industrial tequila production, this blanco starts with a slow, volcanic rock oven agave cook, followed by crushing with a traditional tahona stone, fermentation in wooden vats and resting in clay pots. The result is a rustic tequila with layers of flavor. Bottled at a stunning 100 proof, this is not to be missed by agave devotees.

With a history dating over 125 years, the folks at Aberfeldy know their way around John Barleycorn. Located in the foothills of the Scottish Highlands, they are known for their approachable, Honeyed malts that they have dubbed ‘The Golden Dram.’ Their wine cask series continues with their latest release, the Sangiovese edition. After fully maturing for 18 years, the whisky is finished in first use red wine casks from Valdarno di Sopra. Bottled non-chillfiltered at 92 proof, this is an elegant and flavorful dram fit for any special occasion.

It’s no secret that we love rye whiskey here at Binny’s Whiskey Hotline, and we couldn’t be more excited to have Old Forester’s latest rye back in stock. Their single barrel rye comes from their stocks distilled and aged in and around Louisville and is bottled at natural cask strength. While there is expected variations between barrels and batches, the liquid gold coming from their rye casks is always good in our experience. Made with their signature 65% rye/ 20% malted barley and 15% corn mash bill, this is a potent rye that will please fans of rye whiskey but is approachable enough that avowed bourbon drinkers will love this bottle. Limited supply, check with your local Binny’s for availability.

Founded in 1870, Herradura has a long and storied history of producing fine agave spirits in the rolling hills and valleys of the Jalisco highlands. Known for innovation, they were the first commercial distillery to make reposado tequila, easily the most popular style among tequila aficionados. Their latest innovation is part of their ‘Coleccion de la Casa Series’ and is a still strength blanco. We love still strength tequila for its versatility in cocktails, standing up to citrus and sugar with rich agave character shining through. It’s a trend that has yet to catch on with any but the most devoted agave fans, but this is a great place to start if you’re new to the style. Bottled at a hefty 110 proof, this is a rich sipper that works its magic in a well-made cocktail.

Located on the banks of the North Sea, less then 1500 feet from Sandend Bay is the Glenglassaugh distillery. Opened in 1873, the distillery has seen a series of ownership changes and mothballings over their century and a half of operation. Reopened in in 2008, they’ve built a reputation of releasing accessible but richly layered single malts with a signature coastal character all under the watchful eye of master blender Dr. Rachel Barrie. Their latest release continues the tradition. Matured for a full 15 years in indulgent Pedro Ximenez and Spanish wine casks, it’s the perfect expression as we welcome in cool autumn breezes. 

At the Whiskey Hotline, we believe that tasting spirits blind is one of the most valuable ways to determine items that stand above the rest. Tasting blind removes any brand loyalties or aversions and age or proof preferences.
 

This spring, we undertook a companywide blind bourbon tasting tournament to determine the best bourbon on our shelves without bias. Expert spirits staff from each of our 46 stores were brought together for a multiple round blind tasting that included 64 unique bourbons. The 64 bourbons were selected based on availability: everyday shelf items and limited items that are occasionally out of stock. The first round was performed four times, in four different regions clustered by surrounding groups of stores: 1) Central Illinois, 2) West Suburbs, 3) North Suburbs, 4) City of Chicago. Each region tasted 16 unique bottles, for a total of 64. Four bourbons from each region for a total of 16 moved on to the next round, where the top four bourbons were determined blind. The final round pitted the top four against each other, and the best bourbon on our shelves was determined by our teams through a truly blind tasting.

Located in the heart of Baltimore, Sagamore Spirits made their reputation on their award-winning rye whiskies. Known for resurrecting the pre-prohibition Maryland style rye (the sweeter, less aggressive counterpart to Pennsylvania rye) they've been quietly maturing their first ever bourbon. Constructed from a 2-grain mash bill consisting of 60% corn, 25% rye and 15% malted rye, their High Rye Bourbon is the perfect transition whiskey for the rye curious bourbon drinker or a enthusiast of excellent American whiskey. Matured for at least 6 years and bottled at a hearty 108 proof, this is a bold and spicy spirit that is perfect for fall sweater weather.