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Quincy Street Distillery

Using regional ingredients and collaborating with local artisans, owner/distiller Derrick Mancini and his team concentrate on crafting small-batch artisanal spirits, balancing the creative with the classic in a time-honored tradition.

in Food & Beverages, Eat & Drink
November 06, 2016

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Yes, it’s a legitimate speakeasy. No, you don’t need to give a password to eyes glaring through a sliding peephole.

As part of the historic region of the Chicago suburb of Riverside, Quincy Street Distillery’s storefront sits shoulder-to-shoulder with similarly enchanting enterprises loyal to the area’s original, "early suburban" design created by Frederick Law Olmstead, the landscaping mastermind behind New York’s Central Park.

Small-batch whiskey recipes, concocted on the premise, speak to a special time in distilling’s history, every profile detail paying tribute to this time-honored trade. For those who prefer gin or vodka, the distillery features crafted spirits like their Old No. 176™ Railroad Gin, created from corn mash and flavored with juniper, coriander and elderberry, harkening back to the days when gin was a sipping liquor.

Cocktail selections include Whiskey Sours, Old Fashioneds and a wicked Mojito. Or enjoy neat, with a splash of piano music provided by Riverside’s Bob Opel and friends livening up the tasting with Prohibition-era tunes. Tours provide an education about distilling whiskey, and a visit to the speakeasy retail shop is a must-do for the over-21 set.

Discover more Illinois artisans at Illinois Made.