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1. Templeton Rye This Iowa whiskey was produced (illegally) for 80 years before finally being legally released. It’s not bad, but it isn’t quite as rich and layered as the story behind it, either. Miles worth driving for (out of 100): 70. Get it locally at Uncork-It (393 E Illinois St, 312-321-9400). $36.99.
2. Starlight Distillery Brandy Huber’s Orchard and Winery in Starlight, Indiana makes this oak-aged brandy, which had a musty aroma and even a musty taste. Miles worth driving for: 40. Orders: 800-345-9463. $29.99.
3. Great Lakes’ Distillery Rehorst Premium Milwaukee Gin It’s got big, bold body and a great juniper nose, but this gin suffered from some of the same problems as its sister spirit—mainly, that it simply wasn’t balanced. Miles worth driving for: 30. Orders: 414-431-8683. $29.99.
4. Leopold’s American Small Batch Gin Ann Arbor’s Leopold Bros. Distillery tries to make a gin that’s different from the traditional English versions, which explains its clean, citrusy flavor. Miles worth driving for: 93. Available only at Leopold Bros. (523 S Main St, Ann Arbor, MI, 734-747-9806). $40.
5. North Shore Distillery Distiller’s Gin No. 6 This floral spirit is rife with unusual (and unusually delicious) flavors for a gin, like lavender. Miles worth driving for: 95. Get it locally at Randolph Wine Cellar (1415 W Randolph St., 312-942-1212). $27.99.
6. Death’s Door Gin With the highest proof of all the gins in our tasting, this stuff had a thick, creamy body, which distracted from the rest of the gin. Miles worth driving for: 70. Get it locally at Lush Wine & Spirits (1306 S Halsted St, 312-738-1900). $41.25.
7. Black Star Farms Spirit of Pear Eau-de-vie This pear brandy is supposed to evoke fresh fruit. But we got an artificial flavor. Good for fans of pear gum. Miles worth driving for: 30. Orders: 231-944-1250, blackstarfarms.com. $22.25.
8. New Holland Artisan Spirits Dutchess Immature Brandy New Holland is mainly known for its beer, but this Michigan brandy isn’t half bad: It’s clean, with berries in the nose. Miles worth driving for: 70. New Holland (66 E 8th St, Holland, MI, 616-355-6422, newhollandbrew.com). $25.
9. Silver Tree American Small Batch Vodka Maybe it was psychosomatic, but we swore we could taste the blend of potatoes, malted wheat and malted barley. Regardless, it was the best of the bunch. Miles worth driving for: 97. Leopold Bros. $40.
10. Death’s Door Vodka This recent import to Chicago comes from Washington Island, Wisconsin. It has a crisp, cool flavor, with hints of citrus. Miles worth driving for: 85. Get it locally at Lush Wine & Spirits. $41.25.
11. Great Lakes’ Distillery Rehorst Premium Milwaukee Vodka Are you surprised to see the words premium and Milwaukee in the same sentence? So are we, especially after tasting this firewater, which burned the back of our throat with its unchecked alcohol. Miles worth driving for: 25. Orders: 414-431-8683. $29.99.
12. North Shore Distillery Ultra-Premium Vodka Straight from Lake Bluff, this beauty drinks clean and finishes cleaner, remaining cool and alcohol-free (at least in flavor) all the way down. Miles worth driving for: 80. Get it locally at West Lakeview Liquors (2156 W Addison St, 773-525-1916). $29.
Guy Rehorst
Sun, Mar 30, at 10:16am
RE Rehorst Vodka & Gin- I was surprised by the review as it was drastically opposite of every review we've received to date. We have won many accolades including a 2008 double gold medal at the world spirits competition for our Gin, also great reviews from Chicago's BevX.com and Beverage Testing Inst. Links to reviews from highly respected experts and spirits journalists are here http://www.greatlakesdistillery.com/experts.htm Our products are also available in Chicago at Binny's.
Lee Lutes
Thu, Feb 21, at 07:50am
From the distiller! For the record, there is nothing artificial in our Pear Brandy! It is distilled, 100%, from Bartlett Pears and cut with pure water prior to bottling. As is the case with wine production, spirits from Fruit can vary from year to year, depending on the growing season. Excess rain, prior to the pear harvest, can dilute pure flavors of the fruit, but this is only noticeable when brandies from two different vintages are compared. I would encourage any and all who have an interest in pure artisinal spirits (from fruit), to try our brandies for themselves. This particular brandy has won numerous accolades, including 90+ ratings, from a number of judgings!
