The weather is warming up, which means the Whiskey Hotline becomes the Gin Hotline. If you aren’t sure about gin, don’t worry because there’s probably something for you. We’ll be sampling new gins, while thinking about which one works best in one of three classic gin cocktails: the Negroni, the Gin & Tonic and the Martini. Tinkerman’s Curiously Bri…

Daniel Estrin is an Oregonian who makes Oregon wines. As winemaker and vineyard manager for Cristom, Daniel has put his stamp on this iconic brand that’s a favorite of Binny’s wine buyers and customers. Cristom Pinot Noir Mt. Jefferson Cuvée 2022 Cristom Pinot Noir Jessie Vineyard 2021 Cristom Pinot Noir Louise Vineyard 2021 Cristom Pinot Noir Eile…

The Paloma is a great warm-weather cocktail; zippy and refreshing and easy to drink. But do you prefer the simple preparation or the complicated one? If you have a question for the Barrel to Bottle Crew, email us at [email protected], or reach out to us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. If we answer your question during a podcast, you’ll get a $…

From his days with Seagram’s to his current role as Master Blender for Sazerac, Drew Mayville has worn a lot of hats in the spirits industry. He witnessed the rise (ryes) of the Buffalo Trace brand and continues to oversee Sazerac’s new and existing projects. Benchmark Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Benchmark Bonded Kentucky Straight Bourb…

You might not know much about Alsatian wines and it’s likely you know even less about Alsatian beers, but we’re here to change that and tell you why you should check out this underappreciated region of France. Goldfinger Bank of the Rhine collaboration with Pollyanna and Binny’s Kronenbourg 1664 Blanc Leon Beyer Pinot Noir 2019 Camille Braun Creman…

What’s new, and newly returned in beer? For every brewery that’s innovating, there’s another brewery revisiting classic styles, or resurrecting classic beers. Newcastle Brown Ale Noon Whistle Fortunate Day Revolution DDH Nelson Hero Off Color Sibling Rivalry Avery The Reverend Pollyanna Czech Dark Lager Phase Three Kastalia collaboration with Binny…

Binny’s wine consultants always have great wine to recommend, at any price point, in any style. For the spring season, we asked all 46 stores to hold their own blind tastings of their favorite wines under $30. The first and second place wine from each store were blind tasted by wine consultants throughout the chain at our quarterly wine meeting and…

Barrel to Bottle is back with another blind tasting, just in time for summer tequila season. Dan brought 12 tequilas under $40; four each of blanco, reposado and añejo. These are perfect for mixing with your favorite tequila cocktail, but you might find a few you just want to sip on as well. Blanco Lunazul Blanco Tequila Cimarron Blanco Tequila Agu…

Binny’s is constantly getting new products, and Chris always has his eye on different, interesting and fun wines for us to try. After taking a stroll through the domestic wine aisles, he found eight new wines for spring. Andis Wines Semillon Bill Dillian Vineyard 2023 Presqu’ile Chardonnay 2023 Left Foot Charley Riesling Le Caban Old Mission Penins…

Kevin Aslan is Head Distiller for Hirsch Whiskey as well as the other Hotaling brands like Old Portrero and Junipero Gin. Starting at the beloved Anchor Brewing (RIP), Kevin moved over to Anchor Distilling (now Hotaling) and spent ten years resurrecting the Hirsch brand with former guest of the pod Bruce Joseph. Hirsch ‘The Horizon’ Straight Bourbo…

We at Barrel to Bottle have long maintained that blind tasting is the best way to taste anything. It can be a bit terrifying, but it’s the only way to get an unvarnished opinion on anything. Roger has long been an advocate of high proof, budget bourbons and whiskies, so we’re blinding 12 American whiskies under $30 and readily available at your nei…

Kimio Yonezawa is the President and Toji (master sake distiller) at Akashi Tai Brewery, and master distiller at the Kaikyō Distillery. This week we're sampling sake and learning from an expert about the best ways to enjoy it and what you can pair it with. We're also sampling their Japanese whiskies and gin. Akashi Tai Junmai Ginjo Sparkling Akashi …

On this B2B Quick Sips, we're whipping up the official cocktail of New Orleans; no it's not the Hurricane. The Sazerac has a long history, as twisty as the lemon garnish this famous cocktail calls for. Laissez les bon temps rouler! Check out the recipe on the Binny's blog.

Do you like juicy IPAs? How about some actual juice? Hard cider was likely America’s first alcoholic beverage, but the industry was destroyed by Prohibition. Nearly 100 years later, cider is finally starting to recover. Original Sin Dry Rosé JK’s Farmhouse Ciders Scrumpy Right Bee Cider Semi-Dry Stormalong Cider Farmstand Unfiltered Schilling Excel…

Have you suffered in silence during the hazy days of craft beer IPA? Well, Roger has some good news! The hazy crazy is not over, but more and more people are embracing both old school and modern West Coast IPAs. Bitterness and balance are back! Firestone Walker Union Jack IPA Roadhouse Interstellar Kush collaboration with Half Acre Half Acre Sunris…

Whisky Advocate’s Top 20 Whiskies of the year list is always fun to sample through. This year we have 12 ½ of the top 20 to try. This year’s list is heavy on Islay whiskies, interesting barrel finishes and as always, old timey candies. #20 - Westland Beer Cask Finish American Single Malt Whiskey #18 - Bushmills 10-Year-Old ex-Bordeaux Cask Irish Si…

Yes Mex!co, it’s more than tequila! Tequila has been popular for decades, and mezcal has gained in popularity over the last decade but that barely scratches the surface. With over 200 varieties of agave, plus many native plans loaded with potentially fermentable sugars, there’s way more than just tequila in Mexico. Casa Dasylirion Sotol Coyote Dura…

Binny’s wine, spirits and beer buyers sample thousands of products every year. Every year Barrel to Bottle asks them to pick their favorite or favorites. This is the best of the best that Binny’s has to offer, chosen by the discriminating palates of our buying team. Spirits Buyer Jeff Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series Wheated Tip Top Cocktail…

The holiday season means one thing for Roger: winter and Christmas beers from around the world. These are big, spicy beers sometimes with crazy adjuncts so buckle up! Gouden Carolus Christmas Ale Schlafly Christmas Ale Southern Tier 2XMAS Victory Merry Monkey Sierra Nevada Celebration Ommegang Everything Naughty Allagash From Maine with Love #38 Gr…

Every year, the Barrel to Bottle crew is lucky enough to get an early preview of Goose Island’s Bourbon County Brand Stout. This year’s line-up is focused on the importance of barrels, and revisits some favorite recipes from the past with new twists. If you have a question for the Barrel to Bottle Crew, email us at [email protected], or reach out…

The third Thursday of November is Beaujolais Nouveau Day. It also happens to be a week before Thanksgiving, which is convenient because this wine is easy to pair with the vast array of flavors on your holiday table. Take a quick sip of Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau 2024 with Barrel to Bottle. If you have a question for the Barrel to Bottle Cre…

For the second year, Binny’s presents its list of the Top 50 Wines Under $50. Wine consultants from every Binny’s location conducted their own tasting of their top wines of 2024; from favorites in crowded categories to esoteric, off-the-beaten path offerings, this list has something for everyone. This week on Barrel to Bottle, we’re highlighting te…

Master Blender Ashley Barnes is a super taster with an analytical mind. With a background in molecular biology, she consults with distilleries on quality control and other aspects of their business. This week we’re sampling some of her favorite releases. E.J. Curley & Company Small Batch Bourbon Lucky Seven ‘The Frenchman’ French Oak Finishing Barr…

Dr. Rachel Barrie is the Master Blender for Glenglassaugh, BenRiach and Glendronach. On this episode of Barrel to Bottle, Dr. Rachel meditatively guides us through the sweet side of Speyside. Then we meditatively guide her through a Scotch and flavored popcorn pairing. Glenglassaugh Sandend Highland Single Malt BenRiach Cask Edition 10-Year-Old ex-…

It’s never been easier to flex your mixology skills at home than it is now. The ingredients are better, the equipment is more advanced, the techniques are easy to master. This week on Barrel to Bottle we’re going to teach you how to impress your friends and family with five cocktails, along with recommendations for accessories and ingredients you c…