Chicago area whisky fun and shopping suggestions?

[MtnDew]

SB folks, there was a very nice waitress that served my wife and I at a whiskey bar in Seattle this weekend. While we talked about the wonder that is malt spirits, she mentioned she was headed to Chicago in the near future and wanted to know if I had any whisky related things I would recommend. I mentioned Binny's at Lincoln Park as a potential good source for bottles as I believe I've seen that mentioned multiple times here. I also mentioned Delilahs, which I only remembered since we finished off their bottle that night.

Anything else you guys can recommend in the area for her to check out? I'll be up that way myself later this year so I'm all ears on the advice as well.

Thanks!

-Brad

[tanstaafl2]

SB folks, there was a very nice waitress that served my wife and I at a whiskey bar in Seattle this weekend. While we talked about the wonder that is malt spirits, she mentioned she was headed to Chicago in the near future and wanted to know if I had any whisky related things I would recommend. I mentioned Binny's at Lincoln Park as a potential good source for bottles as I believe I've seen that mentioned multiple times here. I also mentioned Delilahs, which I only remembered since we finished off their bottle that night.

Anything else you guys can recommend in the area for her to check out? I'll be up that way myself later this year so I'm all ears on the advice as well.

Thanks!

-Brad

Haven't been to Chicago since I joined this board so no personal experience to offer (although I hope to go sometime this year if only briefly) but I seem to recall the South Loop Binnys as being the big one with presumably a good selection. That is where the recent Binnys get together was held I believe.

[Dolph Lundgren]

Where to start...

Longman: http://www.longmanandeagle.com

Ailnea (like trying to get a res at Dorsia): https://content.alinearestaurant.com/html/index.html

Barrel House Flat: http://www.barrelhouseflat.com/

Duke of Perth (2 for 1 entree Mondays): http://dukeofperth.com/

Billy Sunday: http://billy-sunday.com/

Yusho (only place that I've seen that has Karuizawa): http://yusho-chicago.com/whisky/

Twisted Spoke (half off whiskey Wednesdays): http://twistedspoke.com/

Fountainhead (reasonable, great food, too): http://fountainheadchicago.com/

That should keep her occupied. As far as shopping, stick to Binnys. We've picked the bones clean in these parts.

[jvd99]

I'm a life-long Chicago/suburbs resident. The South Loop Binny's is the flagship store and if something is in short supply in their whisk(e)y department, it's usually kept at South Loop and sometimes Lincoln Park. Both the aisles and the rare/collectible whisky room are bigger in the South Loop. It's also across the street from Manny's Deli which is legendary in Chicago. Parking at South Loop is a breeze with their parking lot in the back of the store and street parking as an alternative. Lincoln Park is no slouch though, it is bigger than most other suburban Binny's, but parking and traffic congestion are brutal in the several block radius around the store. I was there just the other day to get a bottle of the General, on a whim, I asked if they had Springbank 18, which they did, but it wasn't on the shelves. So, if something isn't on the shelf, definitely ask, because it may be stashed away somewhere for those in the know. Other than the expansive and deep selection of rare and expensive bottles locked up in their rare/collectible rooms, the aisles of every Binny's are pretty similar and well stocked. Either store is a great experience for your friend as Binny's is recognized as one of the premier stores in the USA. It's also a chance to admire some 'white whale' single malts through the locked glass that most people only see online.

[MtnDew]

Thanks for all the great info! I'll pass this along and file it away for myself when I finally head back to that area. Looks like it will be another dual suitcase trip!

[smokinjoe]

Would anyone else from Chicago like to help MD, out???? Answer his question???????? Anyone????? AnyONE, from CHICAGO???????????????? There's got to be one more person FROM CHICAGO who can help???????? Something near MCA or the Art Institute, perhaps

I recommend any the South Loop Binny's, Willowbrook Binny's, Delilah's, and Longman & Eagle.

Edited April 10, 2014 by smokinjoe