Has anyone in the Chicago Area ever..........

[ErikH]

.....been to the Lincoln Whiskey Kitchen? They have a SB version of the EC12 I'm interested in trying.

[TomH]

.....been to the Lincoln Whiskey Kitchen? They have a SB version of the EC12 I'm interested in trying.

Not yet, but after looking at their menu it looks like I'm going to be visiting our friends in the western suburbs on our next trip to Chicago. To be honest the EC12 doesn't interest me at all.....but I've got to try their bourbon ice cream sliders!

[T Comp]

.....been to the Lincoln Whiskey Kitchen? They have a SB version of the EC12 I'm interested in trying.

I have...and they have 7 of their own handpicked single barrels: Eagle Rare 10, Elijah Craig 12, Evan Williams 10, Four Roses (OESK), Jack Daniels, Woodford Reserve and Weller Special Reserve. They offer a tasting of 3 (1/2 ounce pours into glencairns) for $10.

I tried the Eagle Rare, Jack Daniels and Four Roses. The Eagle Rare (which I'm not the biggest fan of) was full of cherry pipe tobacco which I really liked. It seemed similar to a recent Everett's bottling which Joe brought to the gazebo and I also liked...so maybe it's time to end my moratorium on purchasing Eagle Rare due to BT doing away with the 101 version. The Jack Daniels (94 proof) was classic JD single barrel...much more assertive, dry, smokey and distinct than regular Jack but still marred by the banana ester funk which was the first thing my wife noted on smelling it without me alerting her. The menu describes it as having butterscotch but that went undetected or at least nothing similar to a National Distillery dusty butterscotch bomb. As to the Four Roses, I am probably over critical because it was not up to some of the other private barrelings of that same recipe I have, and seemed a tad hot and unbalanced when compared to those...but still far from average and a great whiskey.

What I don't understand is why the restaurant uses the term (Lot after the names of EW, 4R and WSW on their menu??? I have my suspicions :hot:.

The Weller Manhattan for $7 was a good deal but I had to ask for bitters to be included.

Finally, could Lincoln Whiskey Kitchen, be the proof that American whiskey has "jumped the shark"? :grin: I mean...come on...a place way out in the burbs, far from the city lights of Wicker Park, Bucktown, Logan Square, etc. And in the shadow of one of the biggest malls in America, and run by a national restaurant group with other succesful concept restaurants, and a clientele of less than urban elites, and a staff of smiling eager to please servers...oh the irony .

[ErikH]

Thanks for the input. I think I may be giving it a go this week.

[squire]

Stranger things have happened Thad, I believe the economic times have helped create a growing awareness of what a bargain high quality Bourbon is compared to other World spirits.

[shoshani]

Finally, could Lincoln Whiskey Kitchen, be the proof that American whiskey has "jumped the shark"? :grin: I mean...come on...a place way out in the burbs, far from the city lights of Wicker Park, Bucktown, Logan Square, etc.

[ErikH]

Not sure where the Lincoln part comes in. Before I found out it was in my own back yard, I assumed it was either in Lincoln Park or somewhere on Lincoln ave., too.

[HP12]

Maybe it's a loose association or reference to "Land of Lincoln" . Who knows, ask the owner when you guys visit. Nice to know there's a whiskey bar near a couple friends who live out that way.

[ErikH]

Gave it a shot today. I went with the three pours: EC12, Weller Special Reserve, and 4 Roses. The Craig had a nice vanilla aroma and taste, and nice dry finish. The Weller was slightly sweeter, with a nice smooth finish. This was my first experience with 4 Roses, and I really enjoyed it; it was billed as barrel strength but was surprisingly smooth, with a very warm finish. I enjoyed it enough to order a full pour of it to contemplate it some more. :grin:

[HighHorse]

Gave it a shot today. I went with the three pours: EC12, Weller Special Reserve, and 4 Roses. The Craig had a nice vanilla aroma and taste, and nice dry finish. The Weller was slightly sweeter, with a nice smooth finish. This was my first experience with 4 Roses, and I really enjoyed it; it was billed as barrel strength but was surprisingly smooth, with a very warm finish. I enjoyed it enough to order a full pour of it to contemplate it some more. :grin:

Out of curiosity .. what do these shots cost you in a Chicago bar? ... ooopps . never mind .. it was in an earlier post!

Edited January 1, 2013 by HighHorse

[cowdery]

It's apparently a one-off for now, in the great whiskey mecca of Schaumburg, Illinois. Here is a review from the Chicago Sun-Times. Clearly, it's a suburban, chain-ready 'casual dining' concept. That's probably all you need to know. Like Thad, I worry that bourbon's big moment has peaked, yet there is also a lot of evidence that it still has a long way to go. You've already been there, Thad, but it's like pulling teeth to get you and your bride into the city. What does that tell you?

I like that it's close to Ikea.