Living in Canada I'm not sure if I can offer the best advice. Lots of chefs up here rave about Penzeys for fresh products in the US though. https://www.penzeys.com/online-catalog/madagascar-vanilla-beans/c-24/p-1483/pd-s
Based on advice from this forum, I received my first order from Beanilla last week. Outstanding service and quality. Will definitely use them again.
I like Penzeys for spices and my wife likes their vanilla extract. No idea about their vanilla beans.
When I was making chocolate, I relied heavily on Saffron.com aka http://www.theposter.com/vanilla2.html
Beanilla is top notch, IMO. Various varieties, I've tried many. They come vac sealed and are very, very fresh and soft. Fantastic beans, especially for using in beers. Great prices too, and fast shipping, I can't say I'd look elsewhere. Speaking on which, their maple extract is all natural and pretty darn tasty for those looking for a maple kick.
+1 Haven't had any bad beans and ordered various beans multiple times. I like the Madagascar beans better than most I've tried from them.
Both I'd say, but more on the unremarkable side. I tend to prepare all of my beans the same (soaked in rum) and to a minimum of a month. I've had some prepared this way that just didn't show up in the beer or gave an off vanilla flavor to me, kinda like a fake extract.
I am a rube who buys his vanilla beans at World Market. They seem well packaged and aromatic...oh...and fairly cheap at $ 3.99 for 2. (although the on-line ones from World Market look like $5.99 for 2 + shipping)
Not really local...have to drive 125 miles round trip...I wish there was a reasonable on-line alternative that I could touch before I buy and not mortgage the farm for a couple of vanilla beans...but what are you gonna do? : )
fyi: I just listened to an AHA conference by Mitch Steele about adding herbs/botanicals to beer, it's on the AHA site if your interested, includes some charts too. He recommends using B or C grade vanilla beans. He thinks you get the same flavors for a lot less money. His remark is that A grade is more about the appearance of the bean and not necessarily about the flavor. The last time I used them I just picked what ever best deal I could get on Amazon and they worked out great.
