Chi Spirits Guys

This week the guys are on location at Star Union Distillery in Peru, IL. They are joined by Bob and Dan from Star Union to discuss their history, process and sample a wide variety of their spirits. We're talking Brandy, Whiskey, Rum, Agave and a whole lot more!

The guys recently paid a visit to Tampa and stopped by the Tampa Bay Rum Company. They are joined this week by their head distiller Brad, who deep dives how the distillery got started and talks through the details on some of the select expressions on the episode. Fan favorite, Kitty, also joins the show to give her unique perspective on some of their sprits.

The guys took a recent trip down to Tampa Bay, FL to visit a few distilleries and Florida CANE was their first stop. They recount their visit and sample through the variety of spirits (vodka, rum, bourbon and rye) they brought back with their friends from Whiskey Written. There is one bottle of bourbon that made the trip from Tampa that has a very special meaning to Parker and Ali that gets tried...

This week the guys are joined by their friends from Whiskey Written to talk about finished bourbon. They taste through 7 bourbons each finished in wildly different barrels. There is rum finish, stout finish, brandy finish just to name a few. The goal being to find out how different finish types impact the bourbon base spirit and what this could mean for the future of the category.

The guys are talking scotch this week with Benriach. They taste through Benriach's 4 expression tasting set and break down this relatively new collection from the brand. Friends of the show Vic and Brandon join the panel to give their unique perspectives to a spirit they don't usually frequent.

This week the guys explore an Irish favorite, Spot Whiskey. They are joined by a few special guests to sample this brand's color coded collection of Green Spot, Yellow Spot, Gold Spot, Blue Spot and Red Spot. Wine expert Damien returns to lend some insight into the wide array of finishing barrels that are used to to produce all of these unique expressions.

It's our 100th episode and what better way to celebrate than by sampling the entire Van Winkle lineup. The guys are joined by so many guests that they had to split them up into teams. They break down each expression in the lineup from Old Rip to Pappy 23, even they Pappy Rye makes an appearance. Each guest also shares their personal histories with the Van Winkle brand as well as their favorite...

The guys paid a fresh visit to Parker's hometown distillery to see what new things they've been up to. Parker and Producer Jenny talk about their visit there and share a variety of expressions from Copper Bottom that they brought back for a few guests to try. Parker and Intern Ali also share their experiences with moonshine growing up in Florida.

Just in time for Cinco de Mayo, the guys are discussing affordable tequilas. Joined by special guests Jake and Maddy, they try 6 different blanco tequilas all under $30. They compare them and decide which of these bottles are worth your time as we head into Tequila season.

Producer Jenny recently took a trip to Las Vegas and visited a local distillery while she was there. She recounts her tour of the distillery and what makes the Lost Spirits Distillery experience so unique. The guys sample 3 of the distillery's expressions and discuss. There is also some largely unrelated conversation about aliens, then Jenny and Ali make some bold hockey predictions that by th...

This week the guys explore a local favorite, Koval. They are joined by a brand ambassador from the Chicago staple and taste through many of the expansive catalog of expressions that Koval has to offer. Whiskeys, gins and a range of liqueurs are all examined and reviewed,

This week the guys are joined by 2 certified Irish Whiskey tasters to examine a variety of entry level Irish expressions as well has discuss the history of the spirit. Which brand will be the favorite? Listen to the episode and find out.

The guys are joined by a new first time guest to discuss a Wisconsin favorite, Door County Distillery. They try 4 expressions (some whiskey, some brandy) and recount their visit to the distillery this past summer. They also answer a mailbag question about tequila.

In this episode, the guys explore a variety of bourbons between $15-$30. They're looking at those second shelf bourbons that are inexpensive enough for mixology but good enough to be a sipper. They sample 9 different bourbons in this price range to find out what's the best value bourbon around. Whiskey Written joins the show to give his perspective on these bourbons and pick his favorites....

The guys are local this week with Chicago distillery Rhine Hall. They sample through a collection of their brandies and other expressions that they picked up during a recent visit to the distillery. Wine expert Damien rejoins the show to give his perspective on these (mostly) fruit based spirits.

The guys are traveling around the world this week with a look at a selection of the Plantation Vintage Rum. They sample rums of this collection from 5 different countries and discuss the very unique attributes of each. Wine expert Damien joins the show to provide some insight on terroir and a new perspective on flavor break downs of each expression. 

The guys are joined again by unofficial Four Roses expert Cuba for the long awaited Part 2 of the Four Roses Recipes saga. In Part 2 they examine the 5 "low" rye recipes, the Es. They sample a barrel proof single barrel of each recipe and compare the differences while Kuba flexes his Four Roses knowledge.

Our 3rd and final special episode celebrating New Orleans and Mardi Gras (and Producer Jenny's trip there). We are joined by Jake and Savannah from Whiskey Written (they're actually on all 3 Mardi Gras episodes) to sample through some very unique New Orlean's whiskey from Seven Three. We then discuss some of our favorite places to eat in the city.

Continuing on Producer Jenny's journey from her recent distillery tour, Part 2 takes us to New Orleans and Happy Raptor Distilling. Their guest experience manager Logan joins the show to help guide the guys through the various (very unique) rums they make, share some of the history of the distillery and tell some fun stories about the New Orleans area. If you're fond of bananas or King Cake you'll...

Producer Jenny made a recent visit down to Louisiana and found some great distilleries while she was there. The first was Sugarfield Spirits in Gonzalez, LA. The guys taste through some expressions she brought back and are joined via phone by the cofounder of the distillery to give us the in-depth breakdown of the brand and their spirits. 

This week the guys explore some of the basics of Scotch Whisky. They sample 5 expressions (from some well known distilleries) from 4 different regions of Scotland; comparing and contrasting the differences between regions. Which of these styles will our predominately bourbon drinking panel prefer?

This week the guys examine a favorite mezcal brand of Jon's, Prolijo. They explore a number of expressions and discuss how just how different various types of agave can be. Then they unsuccessfully try to get Kitty to try Pechuga. 

The guys deep dive the second distillery from Parker & Producer Jenny's Colorado trip, NOCO. They sit down with Master Distiller Sebastien Gavillet for an interview at the distillery. He shares some insight on their history, their process and details how NOCO is making so many intriguing expressions. Then the guys are back in studio to sample a wide variety of bottles they brought back from Fo...

Parker & Producer Jenny recount their recent trip to Colorado and discuss one of the distilleries they visited, The Heart Distillery. They sample a few of the expressions that made it back with them and detail the very unique setting that this family owned distillery can be found in.

The guys are staying local this week with a look at the Chicago distillery Judson & Moore. They recount some recent visits to their tasting room and break down 3 of the unique expressions they have to offer. Jon details some of the music scene the distillery is also known for and the group answers your mailbag question about the best local places to visit in the city.