Chicago Bourbon Community

[cpfoutz]

I see a lot of folks on here from Illinois and in looking around and talking around, I hear there are tastings and meetups that go on around here. I was wondering how best to meet fellow bourbon lovers. I'll be honest, I've looked on the forum and tried to participate but most of the activity is around what you're drinking now, what you bought and what you passed up which isn't my style - don't take that for being uninterested. While i have a group of friends that like bourbon and drink bourbon, not many of them share my passion. I'd like to meet fellow folks to expand my tastings and knowledge. I'm also noting that once common varieties are now becoming whales...even ER10 is OOS at most Binny's outlets. I'd be interested in working together to maintain our bunkers, sharing some samples and maybe some private barrels. I could care less about the whales...For my taste, Pappy is overrated as is Weller (though I'm not so much into wheaters, except for the the occasional memory of my first crush, MM) with my favorites being the FRPS flavors. I understand I'll need to pay my dues to get to the inner sanctum, but where's a guy to start?

[chasking]

I'm sorry to see this thread languishing---for my part, I also would like to see more interaction in the Chicago whiskey community (and I know there are a bunch of us on here).

[ColbyJ]

I am at the Binny's in Downers Grove and we are seeing ER10 monthly - we generally get two six packs at least once a month. We see some Blanton's also regularly. If you are out this way make yourself known to those of us working the bourbon aisle. We would love to talk bourbon.

[cpfoutz]

I too am sorry to see this, because I heard there are get togethers...maybe at the Binny's tasting rooms???? If there aren't maybe it'd be a good idea....I'll arrange one if there's interest...I build communities on a regular basis around this city.

Colby, thanks for the offer...Downers is quite far for me. I tend to shop Niles and Arlington Heights. Matt in AH is great, but the guy in Niles is on my shit list and I try to avoid shopping there but they tend to be the best stocked. Truth be told, I'm well stocked on everything I like (I've got reserves of ER10 and at $50 (now $60) find better choices at that price point than Blantons (thats where my favorite, 4RPS comes in)...

I feel like, unlike the beer community, which is inclusive, the bourbon community is exclusive (or maybe just loners)..and to be honest this forum confirms it. People ask for advice on what to try and people just say "try things, we're not going to tell you what's good." and the only active threads are "look at my spoils." I understand we need to be careful because some are just in it as a trend and nobody wants to help some ticker looking to score pappy only to have him mix it with coke and not appreciate it..I intentionally tried to dispel that thought.

Quite frankly, my bunker is pretty good. I'd like to try some other stuff without committing to a bottle and would be happy to share some of my bottles that I bought just to try, but if that's not the way this community works, I guess I either settle in on stuff I already know or keep hoarding.

I know I'm going to be blasted as some entitled n00b...let it begin...:-)

[fozzy71]

Maybe you would have better luck posting it, or asking this to be moved, to the bourbon social forum? Maybe not, as this forum gets more traffic in general I assume.

[flahute]

I too am sorry to see this, because I heard there are get togethers...maybe at the Binny's tasting rooms???? If there aren't maybe it'd be a good idea....I'll arrange one if there's interest...I build communities on a regular basis around this city.

Colby, thanks for the offer...Downers is quite far for me. I tend to shop Niles and Arlington Heights. Matt in AH is great, but the guy in Niles is on my shit list and I try to avoid shopping there but they tend to be the best stocked. Truth be told, I'm well stocked on everything I like (I've got reserves of ER10 and at $50 (now $60) find better choices at that price point than Blantons (thats where my favorite, 4RPS comes in)...

I feel like, unlike the beer community, which is inclusive, the bourbon community is exclusive (or maybe just loners)..and to be honest this forum confirms it. People ask for advice on what to try and people just say "try things, we're not going to tell you what's good." and the only active threads are "look at my spoils." I understand we need to be careful because some are just in it as a trend and nobody wants to help some ticker looking to score pappy only to have him mix it with coke and not appreciate it..I intentionally tried to dispel that thought.

Quite frankly, my bunker is pretty good. I'd like to try some other stuff without committing to a bottle and would be happy to share some of my bottles that I bought just to try, but if that's not the way this community works, I guess I either settle in on stuff I already know or keep hoarding.

I know I'm going to be blasted as some entitled n00b...let it begin...:-)

Not going to blast you, but I am going to say that quite frankly, you haven't been around long enough to experience how this place works and it's evident in what you say. I can point to many examples that are counter to the assumptions about this place that you've made.

[DonutsNBourbon]

I'm decently new here too and don't feel at all the way you do. almost everyone has been quite helpful and friendly whenever you ask for advice or help. yes, most of the posting volume is in the what you bought and drink each night threads, but it's nice to see what people are buying and tasting every so often so you can figure out what may be good for you to try out for yourself. It's hard to give a recommendation on what you should try out because your tastes might not be the same as mine. I prefer less spicy and sweeter bourbons, and wheated bourbons, but that may not be your style (as you said above) so my recommendations to you might not be good ones since my tastes are different than yours. but hey, the best part of this hobby (at least for me) is being able to taste all different types of bourbon to see what you like best.

also, there are many more liquor stores out there in Chicagoland than Binny's. I can usually find regular stuff there, but harder to find stuff, there are other stores that I like to go to that may have better stock, like cardinal, liquor barn, foremost and even marianos (I can always find ER10 there for $33 and blanton's for $57, the cheapest around here at least).

as for meetups and events, I'd be happy to post any events I'm going to, but as for personally meeting up... I'd like to get to know you a little better on here first before a meetup

[squire]

. . . . I feel like, unlike the beer community, which is inclusive, the bourbon community is exclusive (or maybe just loners)..and to be honest this forum confirms it. . . . .

I find the same mix of personalities on each of the hobby boards I frequent. It's the nature of an enthusiasts board to become somewhat stratified but it's no harder to make friends here than on any other hobby board, be it Bourbon, Beer or model trains. I've found members here to be exceedingly helpful, friendly, most generous and not hard to get to know.

[Vosgar]

[quote name=cpfoutz;484068 I feel like' date=' unlike the beer community, which is inclusive, the bourbon community is exclusive (or maybe just loners)..and to be honest this forum confirms it.

Go to the Kentucky Bourbon Festival or the Bourbon Sampler in Bardstown, stay at the General Nelson, hit the gazebo, enjoy the cookout, and I guarantee you'll change your mind. The generosity of people from Straightbourbon is unbelievable and if you come down with an open mind and a willingness to participate you'll make plenty of new friends from here. It's always a great time and IMHO this is a great community to be a part of!

[callmeox]

Getting upset at members who answer the call for recommendations with "try a bunch of things" is common here but they are doing you a favor.

Trying as many different distillery offerings as you can afford helps you build your personal list of likes and dislikes. It's not the answer that you're looking for, but I've found it to be the best way forward for new folks.

As far as generosity goes, you won't find a better group than SB members.

[luther.r]

My recommendations:

1. Be proactive. Host some tastings of your own and invite others from the group.

2. Go to the sampler in the spring and introduce yourself around. bring a couple good bottles and share them generously, and it will come back to you tenfold.

[cpfoutz]

I think I've managed to look like an entitled n00b who's just looking for places to meet the truck and get the rare stuff.

I'm not a n00b like someone implied...Like I said before, my bunker is full. My favorites are always on the shelf at my local binnys (because I've tried a ton of stuff and know what I like regardless of whether it's cool). I know where to get those that aren't on binnys shelf. I suspect that will change...but primarily I'm interested in sharing tastes of new stuff I'm not willing to fork over $20, $50 or $100 when I have no clue if I'll like it, and I suspect I have a lot of stuff others feel the same about.

I guess what baffles me are there are bottle shares all over this city that anyone can attend when it comes to beer..you don't need to know someone. You dont need to have 500 posts on beeradvocate. Yes, the tastings with the whales you need to establish yourself, but there is a place anyone can start. Bourbon is way better suited for this than beer (and a much larger incentive to do so) but supposedly there is nothing.

In my view telling N00bs to buy 15 bottles of bourbon and see what you like is no way to introduce someone...its a good way to create a broke alcoholic. Thats how i started (not the alcoholic part...I tried things over years plus a trip down the bourbon trail) , but because of that i still wont buy anything craft because im too gun shy. I can't believe something like that isn't avail in Chicago and that people here don't advertise it...and while I'm past the n00b stage I'm fine starting there to build reputation, not to mention I'll probably find something that I would normally snub my nose at because it has a pretty label and isn't from the 5 major distilleries that ends up striking my fancy.

[cpfoutz]

I think I've managed to look like an entitled n00b who's just looking for places to meet the truck and get the rare stuff.

I'm not a n00b like someone implied...Like I said before, my bunker is full. My favorites are always on the shelf at my local binnys (because I've tried a ton of stuff and know what I like regardless of whether it's cool). I know where to get those that aren't on binnys shelf. I suspect that will change...but primarily I'm interested in sharing tastes of new stuff I'm not willing to fork over $20, $50 or $100 when I have no clue if I'll like it, and I suspect I have a lot of stuff others feel the same about.

I guess what baffles me are there are bottle shares all over this city that anyone can attend when it comes to beer..you don't need to know someone. You dont need to have 500 posts on beeradvocate. Yes, the tastings with the whales you need to establish yourself, but there is a place anyone can start. Bourbon is way better suited for this than beer (and a much larger incentive to do so) but supposedly there is nothing.

In my view telling N00bs to buy 15 bottles of bourbon and see what you like is no way to introduce someone...its a good way to create a broke alcoholic. Thats how i started (not the alcoholic part...I tried things over years plus a trip down the bourbon trail) , but because of that i still wont buy anything craft because im too gun shy. I can't believe something like that isn't avail in Chicago and that people here don't advertise it...and while I'm past the n00b stage I'm fine starting there to build reputation, not to mention I'll probably find something that I would normally snub my nose at because it has a pretty label and isn't from the 5 major distilleries that ends up striking my fancy.

[Paddy]

I think I've managed to look like an entitled n00b who's just looking for places to meet the truck and get the rare stuff.

I'm not a n00b like someone implied...Like I said before, my bunker is full. My favorites are always on the shelf at my local binnys (because I've tried a ton of stuff and know what I like regardless of whether it's cool). I know where to get those that aren't on binnys shelf. I suspect that will change...but primarily I'm interested in sharing tastes of new stuff I'm not willing to fork over $20, $50 or $100 when I have no clue if I'll like it, and I suspect I have a lot of stuff others feel the same about.

I guess what baffles me are there are bottle shares all over this city that anyone can attend when it comes to beer..you don't need to know someone. You dont need to have 500 posts on beeradvocate. Yes, the tastings with the whales you need to establish yourself, but there is a place anyone can start. Bourbon is way better suited for this than beer (and a much larger incentive to do so) but supposedly there is nothing.

In my view telling N00bs to buy 15 bottles of bourbon and see what you like is no way to introduce someone...its a good way to create a broke alcoholic. Thats how i started (not the alcoholic part...I tried things over years plus a trip down the bourbon trail) , but because of that i still wont buy anything craft because im too gun shy. I can't believe something like that isn't avail in Chicago and that people here don't advertise it...and while I'm past the n00b stage I'm fine starting there to build reputation, not to mention I'll probably find something that I would normally snub my nose at because it has a pretty label and isn't from the 5 major distilleries that ends up striking my fancy.

Nobody's telling you to go broke trying different expressions. That's why God made airplane bottles, bars and restaurants!

If you ask for advice here, trust me you'll get it! And it didn't cost you a thing!

[DonutsNBourbon]

well damn, you didn't mention bottle shares until now. I'm sure you might be able to get a few guys interested in this. but since you came up with the idea, you need to set it up!

and there are plenty of bars in the chicagoland area that have tons of bottles that you can sample. altho, some of the rarer ones can cost quite a pretty penny to try...

[fishnbowljoe]

To the OP:

StraightBourbon is a place where us bourbon geeks can come and share our love of bourbon. Everything you mentioned in your posts is readily available here on SB. All you have to do is look. You really don't have to look that hard either. There are numerous posts and threads about bourbon tastings, recommendations, etc… Just a few examples are the BOTM forum, and "What Bourbon Did You Purchase" or "What Bourbon Are You Drinking" threads. There are others, but they're too numerous to mention. Like I said, the information is here, all you have to do is look. We can't hold everyone's hand and walk them through the process. Hence some members maybe getting a little bit short with some "newbies" from time to time. We can't help anyone with instant gratification and satisfaction. It's impossible. Finding your way around here is a bit like bourbon aging. It takes some time. Patience is a virtue, and like Mr. Cowdery once said about the bourbon journey, "Remember, it's a marathon, and not a sprint." Another member once stated, "If you're not having fun, you aren't doing it right."

There's a guideline here for new members. Just in case you didn't see it, here's the link. http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/showthread.php?18923-UPDATE-Welcome-And-Helpful-Hints-For-New-Members It might help shed some light on a few things. It's hard to help someone when they ask for help or recommendations, but yet they don't take the time to fill out their profile, or don't post an introduction in the "New To StraightBourbon" forum. Just a couple of examples are, where you live, and what your preferences are. It does makes a difference. There are some folks that join SB, and arent interested in being active members, and, to put it bluntly, could give a rats ass less. They don't post anything about themselves at all, and are more than likely only here to get what info they can, and make the most of it. One example; I was a little too open about a couple of bottles I purchased once. I went back to get another bottle or two, and low and behold, someone had came in and bought the last eight bottles of that particular offering. That kinda stuff happens in many places, but not usually where I live. Yet another reason for some members to get a little apprehensive about things sometimes. I know I've become a bit less open lately. As they say, once bitten, twice shy.

You stated you're from the Chicago area. As per your question regarding get togethers at Binny's, yes some of us get together there from time to time for tastings. It's nothing set in stone though. The gatherings aren't pre-planned, and they happen when they happen, and we can work things out. Keep an eye on the Social forum for any news about that.

I sincerely hope that what I've posted here will help you better understand and enjoy this site, it's members, and how things generally work. I fully understand all of us are/were new here once. Myself included. I joined StraightBourbon after my first trip to the KBF many years ago. I joined up and came in here wanting to know anything and everything about bourbon. I was an eager beaver if there ever was one. Looking back, I can see why a few members might have been a little bit put off by me and some of my questions and comments. I was put in my place though, and got bitch slapped more than once. I have since shared more than a few drinks with some of those members that did the slappin'. :cool: It didn't take me too long to get it, and I guess I was a pretty quick learner. For some reason, the powers that be decided to offer me a moderator position here. :bigeyes: Naturally I accepted. Wow, just like the old kid in a candy store addage. Gotta love it. Some folks are happy I became a moderator here. Some aren't. For those that ain't, I got a little sumpin' sumpin' for you.

:slappin:

As was mentioned before, if you aren't having fun, you aren't doing it right. I'm having fun. :grin:

Cheers! Joe