help complete my 1st Binny's order

[DowntownD]

oh sages and worldly experts of all-things bourbon, help a brother out... I'll be out of bourbon by tomorrow (gasp) so I'm about to make my 1st order from Binny's and want to make the best of it.

as I've mentioned in other threads, I've had, liked, and would definitely buy again (in the following order):

* Booker's

* Van Winkle Lot B

* Eagle Rare 10yr Single Barrel

and after talking w/ Brett & reading things here, I'm definitely getting one bottle of each of these in this order:

* Four Roses Small Batch

* Weller 12yr

* George T Stagg

so with all of that in mind, help me spend pick another couple of bottles (~$70 cap in addition to the 3 bottle above) to best complement what I've already decided to order, had previously and liked, ought to try, etc:

* Elmer T Lee Single Barrel

* Buffalo Trace

* Four Roses Yellow Label

* Four Roses Single Barrel

* Blanton's Single Barrel

* Jefferson Reserve Very Old Bourbon

Thanks.

D

[jinenjo]

Of those you mentioned, the FR single barrel is definitely worth having. As is the Elmer T. Lee (a Binny's barrel pick). I'd skip the FR yellow label and the Jefferson's Reserve (IMO).

[TNbourbon]

oh sages and worldly experts of all-things bourbon, help a brother out...

Well, okay -- never-was/has been here, but I'll chime in anyway:

• Forget Blanton's (an acquired taste, which I've never gotten...), or Jefferson's Reserve: waaayyy overpriced for any bottling beyond the original 15yo, glass-stoppered!..
  
• Now, ETL and Buffalo Trace are very similar or, at least, enough so that one will do. Ditto Four Roses Single Barrel and Yellow Label, though from different mashbills, admittedly.
  
• Thus, you can get one of each for close to your ~$70, or you could just grab either of the BT offerings and double up on the FR Yellow -- I think everyone ought to have a top-flight mixing bourbon...
  
• So, I'd buy either of the BT bourbons, and 2-3 of the FR Yellow (keep in mind that I like the FR1B! -- but I think the Yellow Label is exceptional all-purpose bourbon).
  

[DowntownD]

thanks much for the feedback, especially re the Blanton's and Jefferson's...

I ordered:

* Four Roses Small Batch

* Weller 12yr

* George T Stagg

* Elmer T Lee Single Barrel

since I'm still exploring and not really stocking deep or making any mixers/cocktails, I'm going to skip most of the ~$20 group for now.

I'm now, I think, on the hunt for some ORVW 10/107 and BTAC WLW.

thanks again.

[drli]

I would skip the Blanton's Single Barrel, Van Winkle Lot B.

I would look to get some Van Winkle 107p 10y in the fall, or some of their 13y family rsvp rye.

and would change the Weller 12yr for Weller 7y 107p...

get the Buffalo trace and the E. T. Lee.

I also like all the 4 roses products.

when i seach their website.. i dont see that they have any Stagg available??

oh sages and worldly experts of all-things bourbon, help a brother out... I'll be out of bourbon by tomorrow (gasp) so I'm about to make my 1st order from Binny's and want to make the best of it.

as I've mentioned in other threads, I've had, liked, and would definitely buy again (in the following order):

* Booker's

* Van Winkle Lot B

* Eagle Rare 10yr Single Barrel

and after talking w/ Brett & reading things here, I'm definitely getting one bottle of each of these in this order:

* Four Roses Small Batch

* Weller 12yr

* George T Stagg

so with all of that in mind, help me spend pick another couple of bottles (~$70 cap in addition to the 3 bottle above) to best complement what I've already decided to order, had previously and liked, ought to try, etc:

* Elmer T Lee Single Barrel

* Buffalo Trace

* Four Roses Yellow Label

* Four Roses Single Barrel

* Blanton's Single Barrel

* Jefferson Reserve Very Old Bourbon

Thanks.

D

[mgilbertva]

I ordered:

* Four Roses Small Batch

* Weller 12yr

* George T Stagg

* Elmer T Lee Single Barrel

since I'm still exploring and not really stocking deep or making any mixers/cocktails, I'm going to skip most of the ~$20 group for now.

I'm now, I think, on the hunt for some ORVW 10/107 and BTAC WLW.

Your choices are all outstanding - really nice mix of styles. Four Roses is rich, fruity, rye-oriented mashbill. Great bourbon. Weller 12yr is jeff's favorite, and a very pleasant, always friendly wheater. GTS is a god among bourbons - it's one of the bourbons you have to try before you die. Preferably many times. ETL is one of the sweeter bourbons out there, although the regular off the shelf version is only so-so. Some of the "honey barrel" picks out there are very good, and binny's is supposed to be one of those.

I'm a huge fan of ORVW 10/107, but don't shy away from the 7/107 just because it's inexpensive. It's an outstanding wheater easily worth more than what they charge for it. Just do a search here and you'll see it's one of the most respected whiskeys out there. WLW is like GTS, you gotta try it.

However, you'll have a wheat-heavy mix if you follow through with your plan. Is there a reason Ryes have been omitted?

[spun_cookie]

Of those you mentioned, the FR single barrel is definitely worth having. As is the Elmer T. Lee (a Binny's barrel pick). I'd skip the FR yellow label and the Jefferson's Reserve (IMO).

I have not opened my Binney's yet... how is it compaired to other "non-binney's" picks?

And I agree with Greg, nice diversity....

[DowntownD]

thanks, mark, everyone...

like the kid in that old anti-drug/marijuana tv commercial...

I learned it from watching you guys.

this place is a great resource.

fortunately, sort of, I'm taking a break from consulting to work on some personal projects and let my fractured left elbow heal from a longboarding crash - the same elbow has already been broken once and has a steel plate and 5 screws in there from a prior surgery. this break leaves plenty of time and motivation to drink bourbon as though on vacation for a month. great time for a new hobby.

[fishnbowljoe]

Looks like you have things pretty much set. I have always preferred Makers Mark, Knob Creek, and Woodford Reserve. Lately, I've been leaning more towards the Buffalo Trace bourbons: Elmer T. Lee, Buffalo Trace, Weller 12 yr. old, and Eagle Rare 10/90. ER has pretty much become my standard pour, especially since polishing off a bottle this week while on vacation. I picked up a bottle of ORVW 10/90 this week and hope to try it when I get home tomorrow. I live about 60 miles or so from Chicago and we only have a couple of quality liquor stores in the area. Both of these are half an hour away. I might have to take the extra 45 minutes and check out Binny's. Have a good one, Joe.

[OscarV]

help a brother out...

* Four Roses Small Batch

I'd skip that Four Roses Small Batch.

I have had two bottles and I don't care for it and I am a big 4R's fan.

Go with the Single Barrel.

[DowntownD]

order ships today, thank again for the feedback everyone.

- George T Stagg

- Four Roses Small Batch

- Weller 12yr

- Elmer T Lee Small Batch

Today I'm hitting a couple of local outlets looking for ORVW 10/107.

[1990Z51]

I'd skip that Four Roses Small Batch.

I have had two bottles and I don't care for it and I am a big 4R's fan.

Go with the Single Barrel.

Ditto, either buy the Single barrel or buy the yellow label. The small batch is not worth the $$ IMO compared to the yellow label.

If it was not for Binny's having their BT hand picked single barrel bottles at $18 almost every time I go in there, I would be buying the yellow label as my standard stock bourbon.

[OscarV]

Ditto, either buy the Single barrel or buy the yellow label. The small batch is not worth the $$ IMO compared to the yellow label.

If it was not for Binny's having their BT hand picked single barrel bottles at $18 almost every time I go in there, I would be buying the yellow label as my standard stock bourbon.

Oh, absolutely, 4R's Yellow Label is very good.

That and WT101 and EW Black Label are three you cannot beat.

But I would like to try that BT that you like.

[Chupacabras]

I disagree on the FRSmB, that is by far my favorite of the more common bottles available. The price is good, tastes better on my pallett then the locally available single barrell FR's and is nigh unique with that oily, red liquorice mouth.

[DowntownD]

according to FredEx my order will arrive this coming Wednesday. until then I have a new bottle of Pappy 15/107 to tide me over. tasty.

[spun_cookie]

Congrats on the Binny's buys.... I remember my first order.. brings a tear to my eye.

Was the 15/107 the Pappy Van Winkle, or the Old Rip Van Winkle?

[DowntownD]

Congrats on the Binny's buys.... I remember my first order.. brings a tear to my eye.

Was the 15/107 the Pappy Van Winkle, or the Old Rip Van Winkle?

It's the Pappy...

The store had Pappy 15/107, ORVW 10/90, Lot B, and the VWFR Rye. No 20, 23, or 10/107 though.

[bigtoys]

I know you received your order and hope you're enjoying it.

I kind of prefer the small b over the single b 4R; hope you like it.

One of my buddy's favorites is Jeff Reserve; I have an unopened bottle I'm looking forward to opening soon.

Guess I'm lucky that I have 3 Binny's in close proximity to my house/work. Even their little Glencoe store has pretty good whisky stock.:grin: