• Bourbon
  Our newest Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve selections are here. It's been just over a year since our first Knob Single Barrel batch, and it has fast become a favorite of the Handpicked program. This third batch offers the same super-loaded bourbon: bottled at 120 proof and packed with as much caramel, spice, grain and fruit as possible. Check out our tasting notes on all six Handpicked barrels. [READ MORE]

• More Bourbon
  How about Binny's Handpicked Willet Family Reserve? In April, The Whiskey Hotline took a trip to Bardstown, Kentucky, home of Kentucky Bourbon Distillers. We had a blast touring the distillery and warehouses (watch this space for more info on that soon), but the real goal of the trip was sampling barrels for Binny's exclusives. That's right. Handpicked Willett Family Reserve bourbons are on the way. As young as 4 years old, as old 21, you will NOT want to miss these stunning bourbons. More info soon.

• Even More Bourbon
  Everybody knows The Whiskey Hotline loves Buffalo Trace. Our next Handpicked Buffalo Trace is on the way. This batch is a vatting of 15 of the best examples of Buffalo Trace that we've tasted in quite a while, selected not only because they're delicious but also because they continue the Binny's Handpicked Buffalo Trace character that stands above the crowd. Also coming are new Binny's Handpicked bottlings of Elmer T. Lee, Eagle Rare, and Blanton's, plus three exclusive Handpicked barrels of E.H. Taylor.
  
  

• Not Bourbon
  What's that? There's more out there than just bourbon? How about something strikingly similar? We're teaming up with Jack Daniel's for a couple exclusive Jack Daniel's Single Barrel bottlings. This stuff is good - it was tough narrowing down our options to just two barrels. If this batch does well, we'll be able to pick even more in future releases. Hint hint.

• Scotch
  We returned from our 2012 Scotland trip with more barrel samples than you would believe. Seriously. The selection committee convened to a punishing afternoon of 66 barrel strength single malts, plus three barrel strength, Scotland-aged rums. Those of us who endured the whole tasting have something to brag about. Only a handful of these samples were ultimately picked as exclusives. Highlights (that may or may not be coming) include a '90 Mortlach from a first fill fino butt, a '98 Laphroaig from first fill bourbon hoggie, late 90's Glengoyne official distillery bottlings from bourbon and sherry casks, new exclusive bottlings from Kilchomman including barrels that saw a small amount of sherry cask finishing... and tons more. Watch for more info and tasting notes soon.

• Don't Forget Tequila
  It's been a couple of years, but we have another Handpicked tequila! This one is a single barrel of anejo from Tequila Ocho. It's bottled at cask strength, which is special in the world of tequila. And it's only ten bucks more than the regular Ocho Anejo, itself not too shabby. This Handpick is at Binny's now, and it won't last long.

       With all of these new Handpicked Casks arriving over the next few months, we need to clear out some space. Here is your chance to soak up some top-shelf whisky for less than the price of a small car.

Glenglassaugh 26 year old...$249.99
Isle of Jura 21 year old 200th Anniversary Bottling...$139.99
Binny's Handpicked Chieftain's Choice Brora 30 year old...$249.99
Glenfarclas Family Cask 1962...$879.99
Glenfarclas Family Cask 1972...$579.99
Glenfarclas Family Cask 1982...$309.99
Old Malt Cask Dailuaine 1983 28 year old....$219.99
Old Malt Cask Fettercairn 1995 16 year old...$119.99
Old Malt Cask Glen Grant 1975 36 year old...$309.99
Old Malt Cask Glenlivet 1977 28 year old...$189.99
Old Malt Cask Royal Lochnagar 1990 15 year old...$99.99
Signatory Highland Park 1987 23 year old...$159.99
Signatory Laphroaig 1995 16 year old...$139.99
Signatory Bunnahabhain 1978 28 year old...$189.99
Signatory Glenlivet 1975 35 year old....$269.99
Signatory Glenburgie 1983 26 year old....$189.99
Signatory Dallas Dhu 1980 30 year old....$269.99
Signatory Bowmore 1985 24 year old....$189.99
Signatory Bowmore 1970 35 year old....$479.99

• Russia
  Russian Standard Platinum Vodka is one of the best vodkas we have tasted - not that we're into that. Now there's a Gold version. Apparently by the Russian standard, gold is better than platinum.

• England
  Fifty Pounds Gin is a great new London dry gin that comes with a fun history lesson. So how much is Fifty Pounds Gin in England? No clue, but here it's right around thirty bucks. A Binny's exclusive.

• Peru
  Barsol Pisco Quebranta and Mosto Verde Italia. Wait, something called "Italia" comes from Peru? It breaks down like this: The Quebranta is from the varietal of the same name, and is less about aroma and more about fruit. The Mosto Verde Italia is distilled from Italian-native grapes from the Valley of Ica in Peru. This is decidedly top-shelf, herbally complex Pisco.

• Evanston
  Few spirits continue to roll out the hits. They followed their popular Gin and White Whiskey with limited amounts of bourbon and rye whiskies, plus some others that are in too short of supply to name here. Don't miss these local greats.

• Mexico
  The level of apathy and underappreciation directed at mezcal is baffling. The category delivers world-class spirits. Case in point: Fidencio Tobala Mezcal. This is small batch, raw and wild, primal mezcal, and you don't want to miss it. Also, we're trying to get our hands on some Fidencio Pechuga as well. That's where they include a chicken breast in the still. It's less crazy than it sounds. We're still perfecting our secret recipe for smoked chicken margartias.

• Snake River, USA
  American Harvest Organic Spirit isn't vodka, but it's pretty close. The stuff is hand crafted from organic wheat, produced with wind power and sold in recyclable glass glass with organic inks. It doesn't really taste like much of anything, making it better than most vodka by default.

• Germany, or maybe Kentucky
  If there were a good flavor to add to whiskey, it would be honey. And if there were a good honey liqueur, it would be Barenjager. They added bourbon to this classic, making it akin to a hot toddy in a bottle. The result, naturally, is Barenjager Honey & Bourbon. We love it. But something about seeing both "Imported" and "Kentucky Bourbon" on the same label doesn't sit right.

• France
  You ever take a nice slug of vodka and then think how it would be better if only it would bubble up into the back of your nose? Well, you're in luck, weirdo. Le Grand Saint Sparkling Vodka is perfect for you. This is vodka with bubbles, fully carbonated. Drink it before it goes flat!

• Iowa
  Mississippi River Distilling is back at it again with a couple great new spirits. Batch 2 of their Cody Road Bourbon is everything we hoped it would be, which is delicious and also in stock. And their current seasonal spirit is... get this... a strawberry vodka. They infused 1,600 pounds of strawberries from a patch 20 miles from the distillery to actually capture the essence of this glorious fruit. Coming soon.

• Canada
  It's no secret that a lot of America's rye really comes from Canada. So does maple syrup. So it only makes sense that Canada would unleash Tap 357, a Canadian Maple Rye Whisky. It's delicious, and a little sweet. Probably not as sweet as Celine Dion singing "Oh Canada," but just as powerful and moving as Celine Dion singing "My Heart Will Go On."

• India
  Whenever you see "India" you think we're going to talk about Amrut, right? Right. Well, they have a new single malt out called Kadhambam. This one is Amrut Peated that then ages in ex-sherry butts, then Indian brandy casks, then rum casks. And knowing that, that's really how it tastes. Full, sweet and spicy with some peppery notes too. One of Amrut's better releases, and a relative value.

• Wisconsin
  RumChata is now available in a huge 1.75L bottle. We know there's somebody out there who is super excited about this. Also, they're probably surprised to learn that RumChata comes from such a tropical locale as sunny Wisconsin.

       Listen - we love rye as much as anybody. But the longer this Manhattan/classic cocktail hype goes on, the more delicious rye gets guzzled down by hipster doofuses giving less than full appreciation. If you were a fan of rye before this surge (Were you? Really?) then you know the rye you can get now just doesn't live up to the standards set a couple years ago. Then there's the rising price. And that's if you can find some. Thanks to "classic" cocktails and ad execs on HBO, this once beloved subset of whiskey is getting dangerously watered down.

       Speaking of the cocktail renaissance, if you're infatuated with rye, then you're missing the point. Cocktails are all about unique flavors. Crack open a vintage recipe book and you'll see that flavors - gin, bitters, aperitifs - are the paint on a base spirit canvas. You can't make a Corpse Reviver #2 without Cocchi Americano. Bitters are better than ever. Great liqueurs come from Europe, but we're seeing worthy entrants from the pacific northwest, California and even here in Chicago. And don't forget greats like Aperol and Campari. There's a reason these brands are considered classics.

• There's been some buzz around Bastille 1789, and deservedly so. If you're looking for a worthy single malt from France, don't miss Armorik Breton Single Malt Whisky. With its lightly peated profile, Armorik is France's answer to scotch, and deserving of your love and adoration.

• Rumor is there's a barrel proof Elijah Craig in the pipeline. In other news, Elijah Craig recently released a new 20 year old bottling to replace their lauded 18 year. Think of the 20 as a couple of years wiser, and ninety bucks more expensive. And very limited, too.

• The recent "no age statement" revolution marches on. Basil Hayden is next to remove the age statement from their labels. We understand their reasons, but this isn't the way to make friends. Who's next? Macallan?

• Wacky and cool: High West Campfire is a blended whiskey unlike any other, combining straight rye, straight bourbon and blended malt Scotch. Cheers to High West for continuing to make playful and innovative spirits. By the way, watch for some Binny's Handpicks from High West.

• King Car Distillery might be on the way. We recent got some samples from King Car Distillery. You may remember they received some loving attention in Whiskey Advocate recently. Google it and get excited.

• We're seeing a mass exodus of brands from the fledgling Berry Bros & Rudd/Anchor Distilling portfolio. We're waiting to see where many of these brands and producers land. Coincidentally, we were able to buy up orphaned remnants of Springbank bottlings at great prices. You know who to call.

• Over the last few months, Binny's has taken in a sizable slug of independent Scotch bottlings. You know the drill. We're talking about bottles ranging from a $50 Signatory 9 Year Old Caol Ila, all the way up to a $600 G&M 52 Year Old Glen Grant so dark that it looks like cola. A lot of these bottles are limited, so we're not going to publish a list. If you're looking for great indie Scotch, again, you know who to call.

       We talk about Bourbon and Scotch a lot because... well... this thing is The Whiskey Hotline. But we can't be tied down to just one (or even two) distilled spirits. To prove it, we're offering special pricing on a whole bunch of whiskies and more spirits that are totally worth your attention.

Irishman Original Clan...$22.99
Irishman Single Malt...$39.99
Irishman Cask Strength...$119.99
Journeyman WR Welter Whiskey...$34.99
Journeyman Bilberry
Blackhearts Gin...$34.99
Leopold Bros. American Whiskey...$39.99
Leopold Bros.
Apple Flavored Whiskey....$34.99
Leopold Bros.
Peach Flavored Whiskey...$34.99
Alaska Outlaw Whiskey...$34.99
Mississippi River Distilling Co.
Windmill Rye 375mL...$17.99
Few Spirits White Whiskey...$44.99
Corsair Spiced Rum...$27.99
Corsair Pumpkin Spice Moonshine...$34.99
Dictador 12 year Rhum...$36.99
Dictador 20 year Rhum....$54.99
Koval 47th Ward Whiskey....$44.99
Whistling Andy
Harvest Select 4 Grain Whiskey....$44.99
Dry Fly Wheat Whiskey....$44.99

Okay, we can't resist. Here's some bourbon too:
Knob Creek Single Barrel Binny's Various Handpicked...$37.99
Blanton's Single Barrel Binny's Handpicked...$49.99
Evan Williams Vintage Single Barrel Binny's Handpicked...$26.99
Eagle Rare 10 year old Single Barrel Binny's Handpicked...$27.99
Four Roses Single Barrel Binny's Various Handpicked...$49.99