ML - Michigan Avenue

2012 - Issue 6 - October

Michigan Avenue - Niche Media - Michigan Avenue magazine is a luxury lifestyle magazine centered around Chicago’s finest people, events, fashion, health & beauty, fine dining & more!

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY NORIMICHI INOGUCHI/MARGE CASEY'S WAVE REPRESENTS BAR EXAM Bourbon is making a splash at Chicago bars. whiskey business THE SPIRIT OF CHOICE IN CHICAGO THESE DAYS? MORE AND MORE, IT'S ALL ABOUT BOURBON. BY AUDARSHIA TOWNSEND I t's Charles Joly's second full day as beverage director at Grant Achatz's acclaimed cocktail lounge The Aviary, and the first order of business is tackling the inventory. While riffling through the massive liquor lists, he calculates that between The Aviary, the adjacent Next restaurant, and downstairs' invite-only lounge The Office, the bars carry 122 different whiskeys, ranging from $15 to $350, with 53 bourbons among them. "There is a misconception that The Aviary is only a cocktail lounge," he says. "The truth is that there's an enormous number of whiskeys in this building, including some highly sought-after bourbons." Bourbon originated in Kentucky more than 200 years ago, and today it is the fastest-growing spirit in America. And, according to Bridget Albert, the regional director of mixology for Southern Wine & Spirits in Illinois, Kentucky, and Minnesota, it's no surprise that bourbon is in high demand at ultra-upscale lounges like The Aviary. "Simply put, bourbon is America's spirit," Albert says. "It's exciting to see high-end taverns as well as middle-of-the-road bars reaching back to continued on page 78 76 MICHIGANAVEMAG.COM

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