Archives What Is Wheated Bourbon?William ReigleJuly 24, 2017History / Process By law, Bourbon must be made from a mash of at least 51% corn. But what makes up the other 49%? Let’s find out. Bourbon must be made in America from grains. This requirement differs from some foreign whiskies. For example Indian distillers often use fermented molasses in place of grain. But here... 4 Basic Bourbon Cocktails That Will Make You The Envy Of Your FriendsWilliam ReigleJuly 14, 2017DrinkingHere are 4 basic Bourbon cocktails we love that are easy to make at home with minimal ingredients you can always keep on hand. Perfect the proportions of these drinks to impress your guests every time! I don’t pretend to be a bartender, mixologist, or what-have-you. Those men and women behind your favorite bar do... Bourbon, Sort Of Bourbon, And An Interesting Whiskey From CaliforniaWilliam ReigleJune 20, 2017Distilleries / ProcessWe love bourbon and respect the laws that protect and define it. Working within these established regulations ensures a certain level of quality and consistency. By not allowing artificial flavors and colors these laws can push distillers, blenders, and marketers to differentiate bourbon in truly innovative ways. But it can also act to somewhat limit... Our Top 7 Bourbon Gifts for Father’s Day 2017William ReigleJune 2, 2017BarwareYour dad is an awesome dude. If he likes Bourbon as much as you do he deserves an awesome Bourbon gift this father’s day. From books, to apparel, to an all weekend Bourbon adventure we’ve got you covered. Check out our top gifts for father’s day 2017! THE ESSENTIAL SCRATCH & SNIFF GUIDE TO BECOMING... CH Distillery Invests In Chicago Made Spirits In A Big WayWilliam ReigleMay 16, 2017Distilleries / InterviewsIn December 2015 CH Distillery co-founder, Tremaine Atkinson, invited me to tour his Randolph Street distillery. This turned into Chicago Bourbon’s fifth blog post and the very first distillery tour I wrote about. Tremaine and his business partner Mark Lucas have been hard at work ever since. (Read our first article about CH Distillery,... A Letter From Illinois Craft Distillers…William ReigleMay 13, 2017EventsUPDATE: The results are in! See the winners below! Nice to meet you. We hear you enjoy fine spirits. So do we. We enjoy them so much, we’ve made it our life’s work to bring the best distilled spirits to our community. That, in particular, is why we think you’ll be interested in... The Pappy Van Winkle Hype MachineCameron SmithMay 10, 2017HistoryIs there ever such thing as too much good publicity? For producers and fans of Pappy Van Winkle, the luxury, premium line produced at Buffalo Trace Distillery, the answer is a resounding “yes.” It would be hard to think of a brand in any industry, let alone the bourbon industry, that would balk at the... WhiskyFest Chicago 2017 Recap!William ReigleMay 2, 2017EventsThis year marked the 20th anniversary of WhiskyFest. An important milestone for any annual event but especially one spanning four cities, accommodating 82 exhibitors, and hosting over 2,000 attendees. I spoke with Joan McGinley, Director of WhiskyFest Events to get her thoughts on how the event has matured over the years. “The exhibitors are bringing out their best:... What Happens When Your Favorite Bourbon Brand Gets A New Owner?William ReigleApril 11, 2017History / ProcessBourbon brands often change hands. This isn’t something new to the spirits industry. Classic mainstays like Jim Beam (Beam Family>American Tobacco>American Brands>Fortune Brands>Suntory>Beam Suntory), Maker’s Mark (Samuel’s Family>Hiram Walker & Sons>Allied Domecq>Fortune Brands>Beam Inc>Beam Suntory), and Four Roses (Paul Jones, Jr>Seagram>Pernod>Kirin) have been traded amongst parent companies since pre-prohibition. Bourbon brands were traded for a vodka brand,... BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY EXPERIMENTS WITH 300-YEAR-OLD OAKWilliam ReigleMarch 30, 2017News FRANKFORT, FRANKLIN COUNTY, KY (March 29, 2017) As part of its latest endeavor in experimentation, Buffalo Trace Distillery is experimenting with barrels made of 300-year-old wood. This venture is one of many wood-specific experiments that the Distillery has led. Previous wood experiments have utilized wood harvested from around the world, analyzed the differences between... Does the “No Age Statement” Trend Mean Bad News for Your Bourbon?Cameron SmithMarch 28, 2017History / Process To your average consumer, the age of a whiskey is often viewed as synonymous with its quality. Older = better was an easy gauge of value, especially since it almost always corresponded with a price increase. This was true for every dram from Scotches to Bourbon, and made marketing older whiskey an easy endeavor.... Tasted: Cognac Cask Finished Belle Meade BourbonWilliam ReigleMarch 22, 2017DistilleriesIf you haven’t heard the story behind Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery you’re missing out on a lot of whiskey history. Based in Nashville Tennessee brothers Charlie and Andy Nelson are crafting Tennessee Whiskey and Bourbon with a rich heritage going back before prohibition. You see, the boy’s great-great-great grandfather was distilling some of the first... KDA ADOPTS STAVE & THIEF SOCIETY AS THE OFFICIAL BOURBON CERTIFICATION PROGRAMWilliam ReigleMarch 16, 2017News Personal Note from Chicago Bourbon: Chicago Bourbon’s Founder, William Reigle, is one of less than 200 certified Executive Bourbon Stewards worldwide. For Immediate Release – March 16, 2017 LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Kentucky Distillers’ Association today announced that the Stave & Thief Society Bourbon Certification Program is now the official Bourbon education course of... An Interview With Adam Harris, Beam Suntory American Whiskey AmbassadorWilliam ReigleMarch 15, 2017InterviewsRecently I sat down with Beam Suntory National American Whiskey Ambassador Adam Harris to learn about his role and experiences at Beam. Beam Suntory is the parent company of many whiskey and spirits brands including: Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Knob Creek, Booker’s/Baker’s/Basil Hayden’s, and Old Grand-Dad as well as top-shelf Scotch, Japanese Whisky, and Vodkas.... Limited Edition Bourbon Celebrates Four Roses’ Brand Ambassador & Bourbon Legend Al YoungWilliam ReigleMarch 13, 2017News Bottle to commemorate Al Young’s 50th Anniversary with Four Roses Bourbon Four Roses Bourbon’s Senior Brand Ambassador and Bourbon legend Al Young will celebrate his 50th Anniversary with the brand this year. To commemorate this milestone, Four Roses will release a special 2017 Limited Edition 50th Anniversary Small Batch Bourbon in his... What’s The Deal With Canadian Rye Whisky?Cameron SmithMarch 7, 2017History / Process(This article written by guest blogger Cameron Smith, author of Sublime Imbibing) Canadian Rye is Surging onto the North American Whiskey Scene Just like Scotch is an essential part of Scottish culture and bourbon an icon of Americana, rye whiskey is a distinctive part of Canadian heritage. Canadian whisky has a several hundred year history,... The Fascinating Story of How Bourbon Manufacturers Served In WWII: Turning Distilleries Into Penicillin FactoriesWilliam ReigleFebruary 22, 2017HistoryDuring World War II, bourbon saved the lives of countless American servicemen. Well, not because of imbibing the drink. But, instead, bourbon distilleries became the wartime producers of a modern miracle drug: penicillin. In WWI, the biggest danger faced by a soldier wasn’t an incoming bullet. In fact, it was disease. Antibiotics hadn’t yet... Chicago’s Baptiste & Bottle: A Bourbon DestinationWilliam ReigleFebruary 14, 2017Restaurants Baptiste & Bottle is fairly new on the Chicago dining scene. Situated on the 20th floor of the Chicago Conrad Hotel the bar and restaurant serves American food and cocktails with a focus on Bourbon and whiskey. When I first heard of Baptiste it was advertised as having a Bourbon cart accompanied by a... Evan Williams Custom Bourbon Tasting: New MakeJacqueline RiceFebruary 6, 2017Distilleries / EventsThe annual Kentucky Bourbon Affair provides the opportunity for distilleries to offer truly unique, behind-the-scenes experiences to bourbon aficionados. Last year, one of these events hosted by Heaven Hill allowed attendees to create a custom bourbon. Dubbed the “Build-a-Barrel” event, guests were given the dream job of deciding on key factors that influence the final... Bourbon In The Movies: Six Unforgettable ScenesWilliam ReigleJanuary 23, 2017History / TriviaFor decades, filmmakers have used a choice of drink to reveal their characters. And bourbon, in particular, is the favorite of heroes and fearless tough guys. Here are some of bourbon’s best-known star turns: North by Northwest (1959) In this classic Alfred Hitchcock thriller, Roger Thornhill (played by the legendary Cary Grant) is kidnapped.... You’ve Had A Store Pick, But Have You Tasted A Distributor’s Pick?William ReigleJanuary 10, 2017ProcessWe’ve covered a lot of Bourbon producers, large and small. This week we met with a local Chicago distributor who’s just brought their own Bourbon label to market. Behind the new label is Brian Ciske, owner of BC Merchants in Ukrainian Village. From their website, “BC Merchants is a distributor of high-end spirits with a... We Worked In A Distillery To Make Your BourbonWilliam ReigleDecember 28, 2016Distilleries / ProcessLast July we gave you a peek inside Whiskey Acres Distilling Co located in DeKalb, IL. It was one of our most popular articles of 2016. When the distillery invited us back to spend the day hands-on distilling and bottling we jumped at the chance. Last time, we hung out with owner Jim Walter. On... Celebrating the 50 Year Career of Jim RutledgeJacqueline RiceDecember 19, 2016EventsJim Rutledge is considered a contemporary bourbon legend by many. 2016 marked his 50th year in the business. Most of those years were spent at Four Roses, where he played an integral role in bringing the brand back to U.S. shelves in 2004 after spending decades as export only. He retired from Four Roses in... Repeal Day And An Old Fashioned Face Off!William ReigleDecember 13, 2016EventsTo celebrate the repeal of prohibition we joined Old Forester for their Old Fashioned Face-Off bartender competition. Taking place at West Loop’s Moonlight Studios this year’s celebration was packed with Bourbon enthusiasts and some of the cities most interesting bartenders. The event was an opportunity to sample over a dozen craft cocktails from Chicago’s hippest... Blade & Bow Barrel Sells For $95,550William ReigleDecember 9, 2016NewsOne lucky bidder won the full lot of Blade & Bow 24 year old Bourbon auctioned at Christie’s on December 9th 2016. The lot totaled 34 bottles of Bourbon and the empty barrel where it aged for those 24 years. This was one of the last barrels filled at the famous Stitzel-Weller distillery in Louisville,... Our Top 8 Bourbon Gift Ideas For The HolidaysJordan LeasureDecember 5, 2016Barware It’s that time of year again! Time for decorations, holiday cheer, and a few more drinks and gifts! For you bourbon lovers out there take note of what to add to your wish list – and if necessary send this blog or post it to your social media to make it easier on those filling your... Rye Whiskey Is Making A Comeback, But Can It Overtake Bourbon?William ReigleNovember 15, 2016Events This year I was invited to attend the 2016 ‘Rye Heritage Month’ kickoff event at Chicago’s Untitled Supper Club. Part of a 3 city tour taking place first in Chicago, then Boston and New York City. Rye Heritage Month is an idea started in 2015 with the goals of raising awareness around the history... Recap: The 2016 Whisky Extravaganza ChicagoWilliam ReigleOctober 31, 2016Events The Whisky Extravaganza, put on by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society of America, is one of the longest running whisky events in the United States. It runs in an impressive 10 cities across the country. Two thousand sixteen marked the 23rd year of the event. Chicago Bourbon was in attendance this year for the... Recap: Our Four Roses Tasting at The RookeryJordan LeasureOctober 25, 2016Events / RestaurantsOur Four Roses tasting event held on September 29th, 2016 was a huge success. Thanks in part to The Rookery restaurant and Four Roses Bourbon. This recap of the event comes to us from our own contributing writer Jordan Leasure. Chicago Bourbon hosted their inaugural Four Roses tasting at the Rookery last month and... Behind the Bar with Benjamin SchillerJacqueline RiceOctober 18, 2016RestaurantsIt’s no secret that I’m a fan of the Weston, the coffee and tobacco infused whiskey cocktail that has become the signature cocktail across Fifty/50 Group bars and restaurants. Thus, I was excited that Benjamin Schiller, the creator of that cocktail, agreed to sit down with me for an interview. I met him in Lincoln... 2016 Chicago Independent Spirits Expo Recap!William ReigleOctober 10, 2016Events A few weeks ago we spent an entire day surrounded by craft distillers, producers, distributors, and establishment owners. Where did we have the opportunity to listen to the heartbeat of America’s craft distillers? The 2016 Chicago Independent Spirits Expo. Started in New York City over 10 years ago by Dave Schmier, former owner of... Buffalo Trace Pulls a Rabbit Out of Their HatWilliam ReigleSeptember 21, 2016News BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY INTRODUCES O.F.C. RANGE OF VERY RARE AND COLLECTABLE VINTAGE-DATED BOURBONS FRANKFORT, FRANKLIN COUNTY, KY (September 21, 2016) This fall, Buffalo Trace Distillery will release three unique vintage-dated bourbons honoring the National Historic Landmark’s original name – the O.F.C. Distillery. During Colonel E. H. Taylor, Jr’s tenure, the O.F.C. Distillery... Quincy Street Distillery: History Meets ScienceJacqueline RiceSeptember 14, 2016DistilleriesThe community of Riverside, Illinois was planned in 1868 by Frederick Law Olmsted to be purposefully different from the bustling nearby city of Chicago. Olmsted, famous for his design of Central Park in New York City, envisioned sweeping, curvy roads that hug the Des Plaines River – a stark contrast to the harsh grid of... The Whisky Extravaganza is Coming to Chicago!William ReigleSeptember 13, 2016Events The ‘Whisky Extravaganza’ is coming to Chicago on October 20th, 2016! Enter your email in the box above or below this post to instantly get your 10% off promo code. Ladies and Gentlemen are cordially invited to enjoy a connoisseur’s evening featuring rare & exceptional single malt, Scotch, and unique whiskies from around... Four Roses Tasting @ The Rookery 9/29/16William ReigleSeptember 12, 2016CB Events Please join Chicago Bourbon and The Rookery for a Four Roses Bourbon tasting on Thursday September 29th at 7:00pm. Whether you are a seasoned aficionado or just beginning to discover the beauty of America’s native spirit, we never stop learning. $10 admission fee to this event will include light bites, a welcome punch,... What is a Brewstillery?William ReigleSeptember 7, 2016DistilleriesAs part of our ongoing distillery interview series Chicago Bourbon spoke with Mark McDavid of Ranger Creek Brewing & Distilling. Mark told us all about their unique “Brewstillery” operating out of San Antonio Texas. We talked about the beer, the whiskey, and Mark’s thoughts on educating their consumers and contributing to the craft distillery movement. ... Woodford Barrel Selection with The Vig and Chris Morris!William ReigleAugust 30, 2016Process / RestaurantsHave you ever wondered what it’s like to pick a personal selection bourbon barrel with the master distiller himself? Ryan Marks did just that for his Old Town restaurant, The Vig. I sat down with Ryan to learn all about the process he describes as “Something we’re definitely doing again!” It all started over a... Pairing Bourbon and Cigars: Style MattersWilliam ReigleAugust 16, 2016Drinking By: Jonathan Detore The cigar industry is full of a wide variety of offerings, from a light and smooth Connecticut wrapped Macanudo to a fully loaded MUWAT Maduro; each and every cigar is blended specifically to appeal to a particular group of cigar lover’s palate. And while these premium handmade offerings help millions of people... An Interview with Yellow Rose, Houston’s First DistilleryWilliam ReigleAugust 8, 2016Distilleries (This interview was originally published here on Bourbon.com) We recently spoke with Ryan Baird, founder of Yellow Rose Distilling. Together with partners Troy Smith and Randy Whitaker the three started Houston Texas based Yellow Rose in 2010. We asked Ryan about the past, present, and future of Yellow Rose and we tasted the... Independent Spirits Expo is Coming to Chicago!William ReigleAugust 2, 2016News The Chicago Independent Spirits Expo Returns for a 6th year on September 21st, 2016 at the Chicago Hilton Hotel! Don’t forget to use the form at the top or bottom of this post to instantly get your $20 off promo code!! For the 6th year, the world largest gathering of small, independent... Steadfast: Revival VintageJacqueline RiceJuly 26, 2016Restaurants Chicago’s Loop isn’t exactly known for its wide selection of craft cocktails or cuisine guaranteed to satisfy the average foodie. Thus, it was exciting news that Steadfast, a bar and restaurant offering New-American cuisine with a cocktail list developed by Benjamin Schiller, opened this month in the heart of the central business district. It’s... Famous Smoke Shop Launches Interactive Cigar Pairing GuideWilliam ReigleJuly 20, 2016News Famous Smoke Shop debuts easy, on-the-go resource for matching cigars and spirits. Easton, PA – Famous Smoke Shop, the leading online distributor of discounted premium cigars, has debuted their new interactive Cigar & Spirit Pairing Guide. Created in partnership with Cigar & Spirits magazine, the Famous Smoke cigar pairing guide gives expert picks... Whiskey Thief Tavern, Evanston’s Newest Whiskey Spot!William ReigleJuly 18, 2016News New to Evanston is the latest concept from the team behind Pearl Tavern, Bar 63, and Bar Marta. Whiskey Thief Tavern offers a delicious menu from chicken wings and burgers to broiled salmon and ribeye. With an impressive collection of over 70 whiskies, beer flights, and 24 wines by the glass this menu has... Whiskey Acres: Bourbon, from Seed to SpiritWilliam ReigleJuly 12, 2016Distilleries Founding father and first president of the United States George Washington did it. Many after him did it out of necessity. Farmers in the 1700’s and 1800’s found themselves with a dilemma. They were harvesting excess grain from their farms and couldn’t preserve or transport all of it before it succumbed to mold or... [Part 2] 2016 Kentucky Bourbon Affair & Whisky Live!Jacqueline RiceJuly 6, 2016Distilleries / Events Welcome to part two of my coverage of the 3rd Annual Kentucky Bourbon Affair. In part 1, I shared the first half of the week, including my experience forging copper at Vendome, shooting skeet at Wild Turkey, and enjoying an elegant southern garden party hosted by Michter’s. (If you missed part 1, you... 2016 Kentucky Bourbon Affair Recap! Part 1Jacqueline RiceJune 29, 2016Distilleries / Events They call it Bourbon Fantasy Camp. Given that the Kentucky Bourbon Affair (KBA) is 6 days of exclusive tastings, behind the scenes tours, and open access to master distillers, that moniker seems pretty appropriate. The KBA started in 2014 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Congressional Resolution that designated bourbon as America’s native... We Celebrated Father’s Day with Bentleys, Bourbon & Bow Ties!William ReigleJune 21, 2016EventsFor Father’s Day 2016 I celebrated with my father at the annual “Bentley, Bourbon, & Bow Ties” brunch. Held at the Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center. The event was hosted in partnership with Perillo Auto Group, Southern Wine & Spirits and Trunk Club. Each there in full force to make sure dads,... What Kind of Bourbon Buyer Are You?William ReigleJune 14, 2016DrinkingThis week’s post comes to us from guest writer Matthew Saunds. Matthew is the Store Supervisor at Village Wine and Spirits in Sleepy Hollow, New York. He brings us tips to help determine what kind of bourbon buyer you are and what to look for when purchasing bourbon and whiskey. When it comes to... Chicago Welcomes the Inaugural Cocktail SummitWilliam ReigleJune 6, 2016EventsThis spring we had a Chicago first. A gathering of cocktail enthusiasts, bartenders, and industry insiders known as the Chicago Cocktail Summit. This was the first of what promises to be an annual event spanning two days and many cocktail-centric topics. The event’s goal was to bring together “both sides of the bar”, the people... The Day Has Come for Whiskey at LuxbarJacqueline RiceMay 24, 2016Drinking / RestaurantsThis week’s post comes to you from Chicago Bourbon’s newest contributor, Jacqueline Rice! She’s a Chicago based bourbon enthusiast who we’re happy to welcome to the team. When Jacqueline is not exploring bourbon you might find her pursuing another one of her passions leading tours for the Chicago Architecture Foundation. A few years ago Steve Gleich... Executive Bourbon Steward Training – Part 2!William ReigleMay 17, 2016ProcessIn last week’s article we learned about the Stave & Thief Society Executive Bourbon Steward program. We had an introduction to whiskeys of the world, learned what defines a bourbon, and had a little fun with a few well-known brands. Be sure to read last week’s post if you missed it, click here. Today we’re... Bentleys, Bourbon & Bow Ties Announced for Father’s Day at Hilton Oak Brook Hills ResortWilliam ReigleMay 12, 2016News Dapper Dad’s Day to include Bentley Test Drives, Men’s Bow Tie & Style Demos by Trunk Club, Bourbon Education, Chef-Driven Cuisine, Family Activities and More OAK BROOK, IL (PRWEB) MAY 12, 2016 Tickets are now on sale for Bentleys, Bourbon & Bow Ties, a Father’s Day event tailored for “dapper dads” and their... What Does it Take to Become an Executive Bourbon Steward?William ReigleMay 11, 2016ProcessBecoming a certified Executive Bourbon Steward is a painstaking process requiring blood, sweat, and tears. Think of the rigors of medical or law school…. Nah just kidding! The Executive Bourbon Steward (EBS) certification course is a fun and engaging process. It provides the opportunity to learn and collaborate with bourbon industry professionals and a great... Bourbon Desserts to Make this Mother’s Day SpecialJordan LeasureMay 3, 2016DrinkingShe gave you life, has made you thousands of dinners, and is there whenever you need her. What have you done for her lately? Redeem yourself this mother’s day with chocolate and bourbon! Who doesn’t love chocolate? And obviously if you’re reading this blog you’re a fan of bourbon. With Mother’s Day around the... Beer and Whiskey at Maplewood Brewery & DistilleryWilliam ReigleApril 25, 2016DistilleriesMaplewood Brewery & Distillery sits at the end of a small street in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood. The brick building looks industrial and features a Maplewood billboard on the roof that can be spotted from the Kennedy Expressway. The team at Maplewood is small and close knit, consisting of three guys dedicating their time to... The Best Spring Cocktail You Won’t Find on a MenuWilliam ReigleApril 23, 2016News One of our favorite Chicago whiskey hangouts has shared with us an exclusive must try spring cocktail. The “UnDull Pause“. Crafted by the bartenders at Longman & Eagle with Maker’s Mark Bourbon and fresh spring herbs. This cocktail was created by principal bartender Chad Hauge. The catch is you won’t find this anywhere on... Enjoy These Four Cigar And Bourbon Pairings This SpringWilliam ReigleApril 18, 2016Drinking UPDATE (7/18/16): A new website has launched to help YOU pair your favorite spirit with a fine cigar. Check out the Cigar and Spirit Pairing Guide! Bourbon pairings are something we thoroughly enjoy. Whether it’s pairing with entrees, desserts, sporting events, holidays, or even…other bourbons. One area we haven’t touched on is pairing... Porkchop on Randolph, Come for the Food Stay for the WhiskeyWilliam ReigleApril 7, 2016RestaurantsPorkchop restaurant and bar opened in 2011 on Chicago’s Randolph Street. Since then, Porkchop’s founder Jovanis Bouargoub has opened a total of seven Chicago area BBQ restaurants. His most recent location opened in Glenwood last January. But you’re reading a Bourbon blog. What does this BBQ restaurant have to do with Bourbon? A hell of... ‘American Bourbon Association’ Lists Chicago Bourbon!William ReigleApril 5, 2016News Chicago, IL (Apr. 5, 2016) – Chicago Bourbon is proud to announce the addition of the Chicago Bourbon blog to the American Bourbon Association’s encyclopedia of bourbon. There you will find bourbon-related websites, communities, blogs, brands, distilleries, and events. The American Bourbon Association was founded by the Sazerac Company to ensure bourbon whiskey is respected around... WhiskyFest Chicago: A Marathon of WhiskyWilliam ReigleApril 1, 2016EventsLast Friday evening I found myself two stories underground in the lower level of Chicago’s Hyatt Regency Hotel. At the starting line of a whisky marathon. I put a badge around my neck to signify my participation then corralled with the press and VIP crowd in front of one of about six tightly closed double... Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Debuts at Longman & EagleWilliam ReigleMarch 18, 2016News Chicago, IL (Mar. 10, 2016) – On March 10th Longman & Eagle bar and restaurant in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood hosted an intimate dining experience with Maker’s Mark Master Distiller Greg Davis. Longman & Eagle raised the bar on proof and flavor with a multi-course dining experience inspired by the Kentucky distillery’s uncut, unaltered and unparalleled Maker’s... Bourbon Class was in Session at Seven LionsWilliam ReigleMarch 16, 2016Events The evening of March 9th, 2016 Seven Lions restaurant and bar hosted their ‘Bourbon Master Class’. The class was led by sommelier and restaurateur Alpana Singh. Alpana is the owner of Seven Lions on Michigan Ave as well as The Boarding House in River North and the soon to be Evanston restaurant Terra &... Meet Wild Turkey Master Distillers Jimmy & Eddie RussellWilliam ReigleMarch 10, 2016News Join Wild Turkey Master Distillers Jimmy Russell & Eddie Russell at Mariano’s Ravenswood. Jimmy & Eddie will be signing bottles of Wild Turkey. Wild Turkey Bourbon will be available for purchase at the store. With more than 30 years of experience, Edward Freeman Russell knows a thing or two about Bourbon. As... Chicago Magazine’s Barrel Night 2016 Recap!William ReigleMarch 8, 2016Events On February 25th 2016, Chicago Magazine hosted their first Barrel Night event – “A celebration of whiskey and fine spirits.” The event was held at the beautiful Montgomery Club. Our last event at the Montgomery Club was a Great Gatsby Casino Night, with proceeds benefitting Gilda’s Club. Another event appropriate to the classic... BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY RELEASES COLONEL E. H. TAYLOR, JR. SEASONED WOOD BOURBON WHISKEYWilliam ReigleMarch 3, 2016News FRANKFORT, FRANKLIN COUNTY, KY (Feb. 29, 2016) – Buffalo Trace Distillery continues its homage to former Distillery owner Colonel E. H. Taylor, Jr. with a special release bourbon whiskey aged in seasoned wood oak barrels. This 100 proof, Bottled-In-Bond, small batch wheat recipe bourbon was aged well over a decade and is a special... Beam Suntory Plans to Move Global Headquarters to Downtown ChicagoWilliam ReigleMarch 1, 2016News DEERFIELD, IL (February 29, 2016) – Beam Suntory, the world’s third largest premium spirits company, plans to move its global headquarters from suburban Deerfield to The Merchandise Mart in downtown Chicago by the end of 2017. The world leader in Bourbon and Japanese whisky has signed a non-binding Letter of Intent to lease 110,000... FEW Spirits: History, Music, Parties, and Oh Yeah SpiritsWilliam ReigleMarch 1, 2016DistilleriesFEW Spirits sits in a white brick building at the end of a small alley in Evanston, IL. This isn’t one of those dark alleys from a scary movie. Though it would make a great location for a prohibition era speakeasy. This alley holds the dream of Paul Hletko and his eleven dedicated and passionate... American Bourbon Association Website LaunchedWilliam ReigleFebruary 27, 2016NewsFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AMERICAN BOURBON ASSOCIATION WEBSITE LAUNCHED Comprehensive Website Aims to Help Bourbon Whiskey Gain Respect Around the World LOUISVILLE, KY (Feb. 16, 2016) Although bourbon has certainly become more popular of late, Scotch whisky remains king of worldwide whiskey sales. Granted, Scotch whisky has enjoyed a few hundred years head start on... Barrel Night 2016William ReigleFebruary 22, 2016NewsChicago Magazine Rolls Out Barrel Night Debut Event Elevates Whiskey and Spirits Presence in Chicago Get your tickets here! CHICAGO (Feb. 12, 2016) – A celebration of fine whiskey and fine spirits, Chicagomagazine is delighted to host its inaugural Barrel Night. The event will be held at Montgomery Club in the River North neighborhood on Thursday, Feb. 25,... Redemption Whiskey and The VIG: A Rye to RememberWilliam ReigleFebruary 22, 2016EventsOn February 17th, 2016 we attended the ‘Redemption Whiskey 5 Course Dinner & Tasting’ at The VIG restaurant. This was the first dinner of it’s kind sponsored by Redemption Whiskey and the first hosted by The VIG. The pressure was on, did they pull off a memorable night? Was the whiskey any good? How about... 5 great bottles around $35William ReigleFebruary 18, 2016DrinkingThere are many excellent bourbons at this price point. Including some that are very hard to find or carry a secondary market price many times higher. For this list we selected bourbons that are easy to find and possibly lesser known to the bourbon novice. Buffalo Trace – $25 The Buffalo Trace Distillery is located... Binny’s ‘Meet the Whiskey Hotline’ Part 2William ReigleFebruary 12, 2016EventsThis post is a continuation of our experience at Binny’s Lincoln Park meeting and tasting with the Binny’s Whiskey Hotline. If you haven’t read part one you might want to check that out first. Read more: Binny’s ‘Meet the Whiskey Hotline’ Part 1 After our blind tasting hosted by Brett Pontoni, Corporate Beer... Binny’s ‘Meet the Whiskey Hotline’ Part 1William ReigleFebruary 9, 2016EventsOn Thursday February 4th 2016 Binny’s Lincoln Park hosted the first event in a new educational series. The inaugural event was titled “Meet the Whiskey Hotline”. It was hosted by Joe Maloney and Brett Pontoni, the men behind the Binny’s Whiskey Hotline and so much more. The hotline is an incredible resource for whiskey lovers... The Quiet Man Irish Whiskey Chicago Launch CoverageWilliam ReigleFebruary 2, 2016Distilleries / EventsThis past Wednesday marked the US launch of a new whiskey here in Chicago. The Quiet Man Irish Whiskey (TQM). The US launch tour started in Miami on January 20th at the Fontainbleau Hotel then came to Chicago’s The Gage bar and restaurant on it’s way to several other US cities through February 14th 2016. The events are... WhistlePig and Chicago q Dinner RecapWilliam ReigleJanuary 26, 2016EventsOn January 20th Chicago q restaurant combined forces with WhistlePig to host a dinner and whiskey pairing. WhistlePig is based in Vermont and currently has 3 rye whiskeys on the market. A 10 year, 12 year, and a 13.5 year; with a 15 year coming out later this year. Taylor Hansen, WhistlePig’s Midwest rep, was... The Story of KOVAL DistilleryWilliam ReigleJanuary 19, 2016DistilleriesIn our ongoing mission to provide insider news on the Chicago bourbon scene our journey took us to KOVAL Distillery on Chicago’s north side. Becky Shultz, Communications Coordinator for KOVAL was kind enough to give us a tour and answer a few questions. The KOVAL website has a good amount of history, the origin of... Buffalo Trace’s Single Oak Project ExplainedWilliam ReigleJanuary 7, 2016Distilleries / ProcessThe Buffalo Trace Single Oak Project was a massive undertaking by Buffalo Trace Distillery to find the perfect bourbon. Buffalo Trace Distillery’s goal was to determine how seven different factors affect the final outcome. Those seven factors were: Recipe (wheat or rye) Entry proof (105 proof or 125 proof) Stave seasoning (6 or 12 months)... Our top 3 NYE bourbon cocktailsWilliam ReigleDecember 29, 2015DrinkingWith New Year’s Eve around the corner we’ve compiled three holiday cocktails – featuring what else but Bourbon! These are ideal to not only enjoy yourself but serve to guests as you celebrate the conclusion of 2015 and ring in 2016. We have two for NYE and a final drink to help you out the next morning (or... Behind the barrel at Chicago’s CH DistilleryWilliam ReigleDecember 22, 2015DistilleriesCH Distillery, situated on Randolph Street in Chicago’s West Loop, bills itself as Chicago’s only distillery making grain-to-bottle vodka from Illinois-grown ingredients. As well as Chicago’s first combination distillery and cocktail bar. CH takes a scientific approach to spirit production managing the entire process themselves. Keeping a close eye on every nuance of the process... Ice, stones, or neat? The best ways to drink bourbonWilliam ReigleDecember 16, 2015DrinkingBourbon drinkers will choose to enjoy their bourbon neat, on ice, with a splash of water, or possibly with whiskey stones. Is there a “best” method? Let’s take a look at what each of these preparations has to offer and how they affect the smell, taste, touch, and overall experience. Neat Neat, or simply in... The unique aging process of Blade and BowWilliam ReigleDecember 9, 2015ProcessBlade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is produced by Diageo and aged at their Stitzel-Weller facility in Shively, KY. The bourbon was originally released in mid-2015 as a tribute to the Stitzel-Weller Distillery and it’s rich history. Blade and Bow uses the “Solera” aging process which was originally developed by sherry producers. It is... Where do bourbon barrels come from?William ReigleDecember 3, 2015ProcessWhere do bourbon barrels come from? And where do they go when their primary job of aging bourbon is complete? Most US distilleries get their barrels from the Independent Stave Company (ISC), headquartered in Missouri with their primary cooperage, the facility used to craft barrels, in Lebanon, Kentucky. ISC is a fourth generation family owned... How much does the glass matter?William ReigleNovember 30, 2015BarwareWhen it comes to enjoying a glass of bourbon how much does the vessel matter? You’ll find strong opinions regarding the shape and material of bourbon and whisky sipping devices. In fact looking at Kickstarter today there are 2 cups, one wood and one glass, that are raising funding and have surpassed their goal. Each makes...
