Chi Spirits Guys

This week the guys talk about Sipsmith gin. Joined by some special guests (including Jon's mom) they discuss the brand's background and sample through 3 very different expressions of this London Dry Gin brand. They breakdown each and give some very honest feedback on which one has the most to offer.

It's that time of year again! The Fantasy Spirits Competition is back for its third season. Jon and Parker will square off in the blind tasting competition you've all grown to love. But first they need to draft their teams. Who will set themselves up for success and glory and who will lead themselves to failure and despair? Find out on this season's draft.

The guys are talking about classic cocktails again, this week it's the Negroni. Joined by some special guests, they discuss the history of the drink and try the classic version compared to some of the most popular variations.

This week the guys are joined by 2 special, first time guests to talk about WhistlePig Rye. They sample through a few of the very different rye expressions from this Vermont based distillery and breakdown where each comes from and which ones standout.

The guys discuss one of the most sought after bourbons in all of the land, Blanton's. They sample through 3 different expressions (including Gold and Straight From The Barrel) and break down each, deciding whether or not it's really worth all of the hype.

The guys explore the Panama rum brand Grander. Listeners may remember some of their bottles from prizes Parker won from Jon after his victory in the fantasy spirits completion. The guys sample through a few of their unique, single barrel expressions and compare them to another notable rum from Panama.

The guys are joined by the cofounder of Prolijo Mezcal to deep dive the brand, their process, their history and of course the guys sample through some of the new Prolijo expressions. The guys then give their in-depth takes on each expression and let the people know which ones to look out for.

In their first ever wine episode, the guys try a variety of rosés to figure out what they should be enjoying before summer is over. Wine expert Damien joins the show to help guide them through this journey and explain what exactly rosé is all about.

This week the guys are talking Texas whiskey with Yellow Rose Distilling. Producer Jenny talks about her recent visit there and shares some of the whiskey she brought back for everyone to review. Then, the guys answer your mailbag questions.

The guys are keeping it local this week with Maplewood Distillery. Well known for their beer, Maplewood also has a robust distilling program. Producer Jenny interviews a member of their distilling team and the guys check out some of the various expressions they make over at this Chicago distillery (and brewery).

This week is a Chi Spirits Guy Jon special. Jon recently visited First Legal Distillery in Key West. He's brought back a variety of samples for the group to try, as well as some first hand experience of being in Key West for a visit.

This week the guys are joined by mixology enthusiast and friend of the show Drogo to talk about the Martini. They talk about the cocktail's history and then make a few different versions (some classic, some not so classic) to compare and see how versatile this cocktail can be.

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.