The canvas of crafts distilling in Chicago is ever changing. It is true that craft spirits are present to provide new tastes, something out of the ordinary. While the market for this liquor category is smaller compared to the main ones such as whiskey and tequila, what makes spirits quite exciting is the way they tag themselves -- incomparable.
Social Scene has scoured through expert guides to find the best spirits distilleries in Chicago. Here are 10 of them.
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The best of Chicago’s small-batch craft spirits are also found at CH Distillery, a go-to place for quality and unique drink labels made right within the area. Some of the great finds include aquavit, London Dry Gin, Peppercorn Vodka, rum, and whiskey.
On the other hand, this next distillery is proving itself to be an asset in making craft spirits because of its wide range of mixes that are surely captivating to the taste. Chicago Distilling Co. began with vodka and white whiskey, but now grew with other varieties as well.
It has a craft gin known as Finn’s that reviews on Chicagoist describe as having “a prominent juniper flavor that cuts through the bitter of a tonic mix and takes a squeeze of lime like a properly offered compliment.” Aside from this, it also has a whiskey distilled from bourbon mash that balances out the taste from an authentic local grain in Illinois.
Located in Evanston, Illinois, Few Spirits is considered one of the best when it comes to crafting spirits. It produces handcrafted gins and whiskeys from exotic ingredients. Their labels are well-loved in the craft spirits community, especially their rye whiskey. This liquor has received awards as 2013 Craft Whiskey of the Year by Whisky Advocate and is also one of the top five whiskies in the world, rated by Beverage Tasting Institute.
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Koval Distillery, a family-owned space on Ravenswood Avenue in Chicago, offering a tour that shows visitors through their milling facilities and organic grains. Koval is also Chicago’s first distillery that has been in existence since the mid-19th century. Get a taste of their grain whiskey and honey liqueur. There are also whiskey workshops and cocktail making sessions for visitors.
If you are headed to Chicago for uncanny gins and other botanical spirits, Letherbee Distillers is probably the most popular in town. This distillery produces seasonal gins from its former reputation of being a farm-to-table restaurant. It took advantage of its ability to use seasonal ingredients to always come up with something new for the avid drinker.
This is the only distillery in Chicago that is also a brewery. Craft beers are its mainstay, as Maplewood Brewery and Distillery bar takes inspiration from these liquors to create others on its line. Their flavors are varied and promise to have more grain-based varieties soon.
North Shore is Illinois’ first craft distillery. Despite this stance, it still consistently opens up new possibilities by introducing new flavors to craft spirits enthusiasts. The owners, Derek and Sonja Kassebaum, are lovers of craft spirits as well. In addition to the tour within the tasting room and an experience with their cocktail bar, North Shore also organizes cocktail classes, spirits tasting events, cocktail pairing dinners, and so much more.
Enjoy whiskey this winter and save 20% with code DWF (drink with friends).
If there is a craft spirits distillery that pays tribute to classic blends, it has to be Oppidan Spirits. This distillery in Wheeling uses the traditional American botanical gin and malted rye whiskey flavors, yet creates their distinct recipe infused with modern twists. They have bourbon, gin, rye, and whiskey.
Riverside houses Quincy Street Distillery, a location that has been part of United States history. The story is worth knowing, but the spirits that it produces should never be missed in your lifetime. Unique to the taste, it has a dry spirit distilled from mead, a wine coming from an Illinois prairie wildflower honey. The distillery also releases new beverages like their Prairie Fairie Absinthe Blanche distilled from Florence fennel, grand wormwood, green anise, and wildflower honey spirit.
Rhine Hall is another Chicago distillery that was able to etch a brand of its own. Instead of following what others do, the distillery focuses on brandies made from fruits, otherwise called as eau de vie or shnapps. The fruits are sourced from the Great Lakes Region with no sweeteners added. It is a family owned-operated small-batch distillery.
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Get ready to experience a journey with various spirits brands to be featured at the 2018 Summer Spirits Festival on August 25th
It will be a two-hour tasting with food and drink specials and many other surprises. Attendees have the chance to vote their favorite brands. Register today by visiting our official website at BeSocialScene.com. The same event will also take place in cities of Chicago, Denver, Indianapolis, and Minneapolis.
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References:
http://www.chicagodistilling.com/
http://chicagoist.com/2015/01/07/the_12_best_distilleries_in_and_aro.php
http://www.fewspirits.com/few-age-verification-splash.php
http://www.koval-distillery.com/newsite/
http://northshoredistillery.com/
http://www.oppidanspirits.com/
http://www.quincystreetdistillery.com/spirits/
https://www.rhinehall.com/home
https://vinepair.com/articles/9-best-distillery-bar/
Jon Lindley Agustin
Professional Content Writer
Social Scene
BeSocialScene.com