Sweet home Chicago

[nor02lei]

I’m back home in Sweden, and I had a nice journey in to the last USA-day. Since I had a 7-hour stop in Chicago on my way back I took the train in to the city from O’Hara and visited Mike Millers Delilah bar. My exportations were middle-high and I did hope for something better than the Louisville bourbon bars that didn’t really impress that much on me. First the atmosphere hit me like a wall. Small tight place and still before lunch full of loud people locking at football, drinking beer and all kind of other stuff. Behind the bar disk however there were bunches of high-class bourbon, other quality spirits and beer. I did try 7 bourbons that I haven’t tried before: Weller 19

Weller 10 (UD)

IP Harper15

Delilah 10 SW 100

Delilah 13 secret distillery 100

WT Freedom 106

Old Commonwealth 107

All except Harper with wasn’t my kind of bourbon were very good. A real big positive surprise was Weller 19. I don’t care that much for VW 20 and 23 but this was defiantly much better to my personal taste. Not at all as tiered and still full of life. Sadly enough it lacks proof and I really wish I could try this brand at around 100 proof. However I must say that the 2 Delilah’s was my favourites. The 10 was rather similar to Commonwealth but side by side the bar bottling was better, probably due to the fact that it was not filtered. 13 were a very special bourbon. Bottled by KBD and as usual with no source. It was defiantly a high rye recipe bourbon and about the must spicy bourbon I ever had. The spices come out almost in a â€carbonate†way and were really appetising and refreshing in the same time as it was very flavourful. I will probably never know the source but my personal guess is Barton’s. This was my favourite on this bar visit and all row I did have a refill I still regretted at the airport that I didn’t have one more. I did also have a few of the nice beers that were available. To all this I have to point out that its worth much to me with a dedicated/knowledge bar owner/bartender as in this case as well.

This is defiantly the best bourbon bar I ever have visited and one of the best over all bars as well. To be real honest I didn’t think I would fink anything better than Saddle & sabre in Stockholm with also have a very dedicated owner/bartender but I finally did on my last day.

Other Chicago observations: Extremely easy to get a cab, just raising the hand was enough.

I don’t know if I just struck lucky by a coincident but there were a lot of nice locking girls on the train both ways.

Leif

[Virus_Of_Life]

Weller 10 (UD)

Why am I drawing a blank on Weller 10? I just can't seem to picture it in my mind, I know the 107proof, the special reserve 7 year, the 12 year and the Centennial 10 year is that the one you are referring to Leif? OR is this a different 10 year weller?

Sorry maybe this is just a brainfart or an out of production Weller that I've never seen...

[nor02lei]

Why am I drawing a blank on Weller 10? I just can't seem to picture it in my mind, I know the 107proof, the special reserve 7 year, the 12 year and the Centennial 10 year is that the one you are referring to Leif? OR is this a different 10 year weller?

Sorry maybe this is just a brainfart or an out of production Weller that I've never seen...

Christian,

As I recall it was 100 proof. I think it was the Centennial 10 year. I’m not completely sure though.

Leif

[gr8erdane]

Glad to hear you made it back home safe and sound Leif. It was a true pleasure to make your aquaintance and I really enjoyed your company during Bourbon Fest. Talk about a great ending to a memorable trip! The Weller 19 is one of my favorites of all time but I only have one bottle and when it's gone........

[robbyvirus]

Christian,

As I recall it was 100 proof. I think it was the Centennial 10 year. I’m not completely sure though.

Leif

Yes, the Weller Centennial is 10 years old and 100 proof. One of my favorites, although I give the 12 yo the edge.

[nor02lei]

Glad to hear you made it back home safe and sound Leif. It was a true pleasure to make your aquaintance and I really enjoyed your company during Bourbon Fest. Talk about a great ending to a memorable trip! The Weller 19 is one of my favorites of all time but I only have one bottle and when it's gone........

It was a real pleasure to meet and spend time with you as well Dane. However you also are involved in one of the very few disappointments that I had on the journey. It was the shock I got when I empted the camera and discovered that I had forgotten to take a photo of your enormous “rubber thingâ€.

Leif

[fricky]

Hi Leif,

I am glad that you got home safely. It was a pleasure to spend time with you. I also enjoyed your contributions to the gazebo table. If you want a picture of "the rubber thing", I would be happy to send a copy in a private message. I would not want to post the picture on the forum for fear of offending and scaring some people.

Doug

[Nebraska]

Hey Leif,

It was really good visiting with you. Hope we both make it back for another Gazebo.

[BourbonJoe]

Hi Leif,

I'm glad you made it back safely. We sure had some fun with you at the Festival and Gazebo. I'm glad Fricky didn't post a picture of the "rubber thing". I would not be able to sleep. Hope to see you again sometime.

Joe :usflag:

[nor02lei]

Joe, Mark and Doug,

Real nice meeting you all and I cant recall having that much fun 5 days in a row at any time before. I’m looking forward for my next Gazebo/festival. Unfortunately I can’t say with year it will be. I also look forward to receive a photo of the rubber thing.

Leif

[jbutler]

OK folks, we get the latex image. Let's get back on topic.