Chicago has no shortage of places to grab a bottle, but finding one where the selection is actually curated — where every bottle on the shelf earned its spot — that's a different story. At Off Premise, we don't chase trends or pad the shelves with filler. These are the bourbons we genuinely reach for when someone walks in looking for something worth drinking, all under $100.
This one's local, and it earns its place on the shelf on merit, not hometown pride. Judson & Moore's Red Corn Bourbon is built on a 77.5% red corn mash bill, which gives it a naturally sweeter, more distinctive grain character than your typical yellow corn bourbon. Distilled right here in Chicago, it's a genuine expression of what craft distilling in this city can look like when it's done right. If you care about provenance and want something you can't find everywhere, this is your bottle.
That iconic pot still-shaped bottle isn't just a gimmick — what's inside backs it up. Willett's Family Estate Bottled Pot Still Reserve is an 8-10 year Kentucky straight bourbon bottled at 94 proof. It hits that sweet spot where age, proof, and balance all line up: rich caramel and dried fruit upfront, a long oaky finish that never tips into bitterness. At $60, you're getting serious age and pedigree without paying the premium that Willett's single barrel releases command. This is one of the best value-to-quality ratios in the under-$100 bourbon category, full stop.
Pure Kentucky XO comes from Old Bardstown, and it's a small-batch bourbon that punches well above its price point. This is a no-fuss bottle — it doesn't need a backstory or a cocktail to show well. It's the kind of bourbon you open on a Tuesday because you feel like having a good pour, not because you're trying to impress anyone. Approachable enough for someone newer to bourbon, interesting enough that seasoned drinkers won't be bored. At $50, it's genuinely hard to beat.
Double-oaked and cask-strength — two things that tell you this bottle means business. Single barrel means you're getting something unrepeatable; cask strength means nothing has been watered down to make it easier to sell. JW Kelly's Old Milford brings intense wood-forward character, concentrated flavor, and the kind of heat that makes you slow down and pay attention. If you like your bourbon with presence — something that actually commands the glass — this is it. Add a few drops of water and watch it open up.
All four of these are on our shelves right now at 1128 W Armitage Ave in Lincoln Park. Not sure which one is right for you? Come in and ask — that's what we're here for. We know these bottles, and we'll point you in the right direction based on what you actually like, not what we need to move.
Shop our full bourbon selection online and pick it up at the shop. Lincoln Park locals, we've got you covered.
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