In Praise of Big Bin Stores Part 1 - Sam's Wine and Spirits

Establishment	Sam's Wine and Spirits
Address	1720 North Marcey Street Chicago, IL 60614 800 777-9137 www.samswine.com
Type	Big Bin Store
Hours	Mon-Sat 8:00 am-9:00 pm Sun 11:00 am-6:00 pm
Single Malt	Wild Scotsman Mortlach 13 Ex Bourbon Cask

As CA Scotch Chick has expanded her liquor purchasing horizons while visiting various cities across the US and around the world, she has been struck over and over again by how very lucky she is to live where there is a big bin liquor store (Bevmo). She travels to these far off locations, views the meagre single malt whisky collections the local stores have to offer, and comes home smug and happy. 

Not so after a visit to Chicago. The selection of single malt whisky at the Scotch Colonel's local big bin store, Sam's and its competitor, Binny's, tripled the offerings at Bevmo. CA Scotch Chick returned from her latest trip pea green jealous and just a bit wistful!

A big bin store is the Walmart of the liquor store world. It is usually a chain of several stores, sometimes the size of a grocery store. Because of its high volume of sales, it wields strong purchasing power, so it can usually deliver on both choice and price. 

Despite the chain nature, each branch of a big bin store has a little bit of a different selection. The individuals in charge of, say single malt whisky, have the power to determine what goes on their shelves. On Sunday afternoon, the CA Scotch Couple took a Field Trip to Sam's and had the privilege of visiting with Cal Mason, one of the purchasers for the single malt whisky section.

The first thing one notices when approaching Sam's single malt whisky section is the sheer volume. It takes up both sides of an entire aisle. The second thing one notices is the high priced single malts in the case. While CA Scotch Chick routinely drools over the Highland Park 30 in the glass case at Bevmo for $399.00, Sam's has Glenlivet 1964 Cellar Collection 45 for the price of $1,999.90 behind lock and key. 

A Bit out of CA Scotch Chick's Price Range

The final thing one notices is the high number of Independent Bottlings (IB's). CA Scotch Chick counted Signatory, Cadenhead, Hart Brothers, Gordon &  MacPhail, Adelphi, and Wild Scotsman. She spoke with Mr. Mason a bit about his extensive IB selection. He was both passionate and knowledgeable about the various offerings, and it was clear that he had a strong hand in their presence on the shelf.

Through the course of this conversation, CA Scotch Chick admitted that while she hadn't had a lot of experience with IB's, she had been disappointed by the ones she had tried so far. Mr. Mason disappeared for a moment and returned with an open bottle of Wild Scotman Mortlach 13 Ex Boubon Cask and glasses. He doled out samples to the CA Scotch Couple and the Scotch Colonel – immediately earning points in CA Scotch Chick's book. Later the Scotch Colonel would relate that he discovered Bruichladdich Yellow Submarine through an earlier tasting from Mr. Mason.

CA Scotch Chick was happy to admit that the Wild Scotsman Mortlach 13 did not disappoint. Although she doesn't know what an Original Distillery Bottling (OB) of Mortlach 13 tastes like, the sampling she had contained a nice depth of flavor and a lingering finish. She bought a bottle to add to the offerings back at the Scotch Colonel and Drambuie Girl's house. 

One other point about Sam's. It offers club card benefits. If one spends 250 dollars, one receives a 5 dollar off coupon. This isn't quite as good as CA Scotch Chix local Bevmo's 5 percent off coupon for every 250 dollars spent, but it is a definite incentive. They also provide a nice touch of sending a 10 percent off coupon for one's birthday.

Sam's Wine and Spirits gets high points from CA Scotch Chick. With an extensive collection and judicious tastings, it is definitely worth a visit. If only CA Scotch Chick could bring the person in charge of the single malt collection at Bevmo over for a visit. 

Below, please find CA Scotch Chick's review of Wild Scotsman Mortlach 13.