Looking for any suggestions re. Binny's hand-picked casks

[rocky480]

The last thread similar to this was from 2007, so I was wondering if anybody here happened to highly recommend any of the SMS Binny's handpicked casks.

I happen to be able to pick up a couple of bottles to bring back from Chicago and, aside from the bourbons I planned on getting, I was wondering if any of the SMS selections had really impressed anybody.

Any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks,

Mike

[hectic1]

Hi Mike,

I have personally had the ETL, BT, ERSB, Weller 12, EC18, FRBS OESK, OESO, OBSK, and OESV.

For the money their 2010 bottling of BT is pretty tough to beat. If you can find any Binny's Weller 12's at any of the locations that is a must buy IMO. All of the Four Roses Barrel Strength bottlings have been very good but the OESK and OESO have a special place in my heart. Joe told me that while the 2010 ETL bottling is good it isn't as sweet or creamy vanilla as the 2008/09 bottling...it has more green apples and spice. I've stocked up on the 09 bottling as it's my favorite ETL. The ERSB is good but not "special" IMO so I would pass on that one. I haven't had the most recent bottling of EC18 but I've heard that it's their best one yet. They also have FRBS OBSV, OBSO, and OBSQ but I haven't had those yet. They also selected a barrel of Evan Williams Single Barrel for 2010 that I've heard is pretty good too if you like that bourbon. For rye's the did a bottling of Baby Saz but I haven't had that one either. In summary, you can't go wrong with the Weller 12 or BT at $24.99. The ETL is 29.99 so it's a bit more expensive but still a good buy. The Four Roses Barrel Strength OESO and OESK's are must haves IMO and make up about 80% of the 2009 Mariage.

Good luck with your decision! :cool:

[Vosgar]

I realize you're asking about SMS's, but I'll go with Bob and comment on their bourbons. While I haven't had as many of the Binny's bottlings as he has, I totally agree with him on the Weller 12, '09 BT and the ETL. The Weller is the best of these three IMO, but the others aren't far behind. If you like a particular bourbon (and I'm willing to assume the same for SMS) and Binny's has a hand picked version of it, buy it!

Gary

[birdman1099]

Um... Fellas......

I believe he is asking about Scotch, not bourbon....:slappin:

This is the Foriegn Whiskey section...:grin:

And I am sorry Mike, I cannot help you. Where is Joe??

[Lost Pollito]

Here I am.:grin: Royal Lochnaghar, and Benrinnes signatory casks are both great. If you like smoke/ peat, caol ila sig. finished in a ballechin cask, and Laphroaig 18 sig if you can find it. Do yourself a favor, and grab the latest bt selection. Awesome juice. 13 of our favorite barrels vatted together to create a bt frankenstein. :grin:

[birdman1099]

Thanks, Joe......

[rocky480]

Thanks to everybody who responded for both the Scotch and bourbon recommendations. I'll actually be changing what I had originally planned to pick up in terms of bourbons thanks to the info here.

Mike

[mcer]

Joe, can you comment on the Royal Lochnaghar?

I was going to order the Caol Ila in the burgundy finish and the person at Lakeview (over the phone) was not very enthusiastic (he said he did not like finished scotches). So I only got the Benrinnes 1997 and the Mortlach 1988.

I need some good bottles from 1995 and 1998, so the Royal Lochnaghar could be a good fit (I am buying a bottle for every vintage/year since my marriage, good thing it is only 1994).

Thanks, Rene'

[Lost Pollito]

That's to bad. I really liked that Caol Ila, and most scotch is aged in a pre-used barrell anyway, so the finishing doesn't really bother me that much. It's a real firecracker. As to the Lochnagar, I find it very pleasing. Medium weight-ish. Not to far removed from the benrinnes you picked up. The ben has a little lemon while the Loch has some nice vanilla and some toffee sneaking in. Pretty straight forward whisky.

[OscarV]

Joe did you and/or Brett get to go to Scotland and pick these casks or did they send you samples?