Whiskey

Whiskey is the biggest section in our stores and online: more than 2,700 bottles of bourbon, rye, Scotch, Irish, Japanese, Canadian and world whisky, from the bottle you pour on a Tuesday night to the allocated releases people wait all year for. We've been a family-owned shop in the Chicago suburbs since 1982, and our team tastes and picks much of what's on this shelf, including our own single barrel picks.

Shop whiskey by style

• Bourbon: American whiskey made from at least 51% corn and aged in new charred oak, so it leans sweet, with caramel and vanilla. Narrow it down with wheated, barrel proof and single barrel bourbon.
• Rye whiskey: at least 51% rye, which makes it spicier and drier than bourbon. The classic base for a Manhattan or a Sazerac.
• Tennessee whiskey: made much like bourbon, then filtered through sugar maple charcoal before aging. Jack Daniel's, George Dickel and Uncle Nearest.
• American whiskey: everything made in the US, including American single malt, wheat and corn whiskey, and craft releases.
• Single malt Scotch: malted barley from a single distillery in Scotland, from fruity Speyside malts to smoky Islay.
• Blended Scotch: malt and grain whisky blended for balance and value, like Johnnie Walker, Chivas Regal and Dewar's.
• Irish whiskey: usually triple distilled, so it's soft and easy to sip, including single pot still, a uniquely Irish style protected by law.
• Japanese whisky: clean and carefully blended, often lighter than Scotch, from Suntory and Nikka to smaller distillers like Mars.
• Canadian whisky: light, smooth and easy to mix, like Crown Royal, plus bold all-rye bottles like Lot 40.
• World whisky: serious whisky from India, Taiwan, Israel, France and beyond, including Amrut, Kavalan and Milk & Honey.

Our single barrel picks

Many distilleries let a retailer taste through barrels and choose one to bottle. Our team has been doing that for years, and each of those bottles is sold only by us. Browse every Liquor Barn single barrel pick.

Not sure where to start?

Our counter staff put together buying guides for the questions we hear most: the best bourbon under $50, the best rye whiskey, the best Scotch whisky, the best Irish whiskey and the best Japanese whisky. For the basics, read rye vs. bourbon or our complete bourbon guide.

How to choose a whiskey

• Flavor: bourbon, and wheated bourbon especially, leans sweet. Rye leans spicy. Speyside Scotch is usually fruity and honeyed, and Islay Scotch is often smoky.
• Proof: 80 to 90 proof is easy for mixing, 100 proof bottled in bond is a sweet spot for sipping, and barrel proof (often 110 and up) is for people who like to add their own water.
• Age: an age statement tells you the youngest whiskey in the bottle. Older isn't always better, but it usually means more oak, dried fruit and depth.
• How you'll drink it: a highball or a whiskey sour doesn't need a rare bottle. Save the special pours for sipping neat.

We ship nationwide from our Illinois stores, or you can order online and pick up at our Wheeling or Vernon Hills store.