Van Winkle Family Reserve 18 Year 'Binny's Beverage Depot' Single Barrel (2003)

This esteemed private bottling is commonly referred to by aficionados as the "Binny's 18.” It is an unfiltered, barrel-proof Stitzel-Weller bourbon, distilled in June 1985 and selected by Binny's Beverage Depot in 2003.

Drinkers and collectors have long considered the Binny’s 18 to be one of the most coveted bottles among enthusiasts for several reasons. Firstly, it holds the distinction of being the second highest proof official Van Winkle ever produced, at 121.6 proof. Many have compared it to the 2003 version of the Very Very Old Fitzgerald Blackhawk 18, which was bottled in 1969, also at 18 years old and a nearly identical 121 proof.

Another noteworthy point is that in 2003, most enthusiasts were not saving bottles like this for “speculative investment” or “long-term gains” as many do with today’s rare releases. This bourbon was intended for enjoyment, and most drinkers did just that!

Unlike other rare Van Winkle private labels from this time, bottles from this release were not individually numbered, but it is believed that the total production was around 80 to 100 bottles.

Did You Know? Some of the most valuable bourbons ever produced share a unique link between individual and location: Julian Van Winkle III and Chicago. Ultra-rare, top-tier Van Winkle private bottlings such as Twisted Spoke, Delilah's 10th Anniversary, Binny's 18yr, and Sam's 20yr were all bottled during the same period specifically for bars and retailers based in Chicago.