PODCAST · leisure
Chi Spirits Guys
by Parker Mynchenberg and Jon Sheffield
Chicago's preeminent podcast on all drinks distilled, brewed or cocktailed. At least that's our opinion! We're the Chi Spirits Guys - friends in the Windy City dedicated to trying the best (and worst) spirits on the market and attempting (often failing) to explain the flavors we taste. Each week we share our thoughts (and probably too much personal info) with our listeners in Chi-town and beyond. You can't sip it all, so let us do it for you! Check out our library of episodes to find your new favorite drink. Send us your ideas and questions @ChiSpiritsGuys (Insta) or [email protected]
Episodes
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RD1 Spirits
The Guys are joined by Lexington Distillery RD1's R&D Master Distiller, Jarrad Gollihue, PhD for a conversation about the brand, their unique approach to whiskey and a sampling of their expressions. Chris and Kat from Bonding Over Bourbon join the episode to add their perspective to the...
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Indie Spirits Expo 2026
Parker and Intern Ali paid a visit to the Indie Spirits Expo held in downtown Chicago in late September. This mini-episode is a compilation of various short interviews they did with a variety of participating brands and a few of the expo attendees.
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The Rums of Mexico
This week the Guys are back on their rum game, exploring an exciting new brand, The Rums of Mexico. They represent a selection of some of Mexico's finest rum makers covering a wide variety of terroir and production methods. They sample through 4 of these very distinct impressions, each with their...
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KBF Final Day
Driving back from the last day of the Kentucky Bourbon Festival the crew reflects on the weekend, tell some fun stories and Parker interviews a few of the distilleries who participated. What a weekend!
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KBF Day 1 (Night 2)
Parker and his friends from Bonding Over Bourbon recap their first full day at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival. They sample some of the exclusive bottles they picked up and Parker interviews people at the festival to get some insight into this exceptional bourbon event.
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Kentucky Bourbon Festival Night 1
On the road in Kentucky...Parker, Chris and Kat recap their first full day in Bardstown before the Kentucky Bourbon Festival. They recap their day picking barrels at Cox Creek Distilling.
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Everyone's Favorite Handpick (200th Episode!)
This week the Guys are on location. Joined by John and Tyler from Chicago's best bourbon bar, Slightly Toasted, the Guys celebrate their 200th episode in style. The members of this all star panel each submit a handpicked bottle to be presented by them and judged by the group (and the studio...
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Fantasy Spirits Draft 2026
The annual spirits draft is back by popular demand. Jon vs Parker in the 4th year of the contest. 5 categories of spirits, 10 spirits drafted by each team, 3 judges, 1 winner. The guys draft their teams to try to put together a complete spirits team worthy of a championship in this blind tasting...
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Rhum Barbancourt
This week the Guys are talking Haitian rum from Rhum Barbancourt. They discuss the brand's long history and sample through 4 expressions (and a cocktail) to find out what this brand has to offer.
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Irish Travel Exclusives
This week the Guys are talking whiskey that you can only get in one place, an Irish airport. Intern Ali talks about her recent trips to the Dublin Airport's impressive Duty Free shop and brings some fun bottles to share that you won't find anywhere else.
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Seven Three Distilling Co.
Chris & Kat from Bonding Over Bourbon join the show to talk about their recent trip down to New Orleans and their stop at Seven Three Distilling. They try many unique expressions and discuss.
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Journeyman 2026
Parker and the Guys recount his recent visit to Journeyman Distillery and sample through some new expressions they've put out this year.
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Larrikin Bourbon Co.
The Guys revisit a stop from their infamous Kentucky trip, Larrikin Bourbon Co. Joined by their friends from Bonding Over Bourbon, they sample through a few familiar expressions and quite a few new ones. They break down these incredibly unique expressions while discussing the history of the brand...
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Alambique Serrano Rum
The Guys are talking about one of the hottest rum brands on the market, Alambique Serrano. They try 13 different expressions from the brand, some small batches, some single casks, some handpicks from places around the country. With an all star cast (including fan favorites Vic & Bean), they break...
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Don Fulano Tequila
Both interns, Ali and Vic, join this week to talk tequila. Also joined by extra special guest, Bean. The Guys breakdown each of Don Fulano's core expressions, discuss the brand's history and answer your mailbag questions.
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Booker's Bourbon
This week the Guys deep dive one of the classics of bourbon, Booker's. They talk about the history and sample MANY different batches and break down what makes each unique (including some very special expressions). They wrap up by answering your mailbag questions.
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Spirit Hound Distillers
The Guys discuss Colorado distillery Spirit Hound. They're joined by a friend of the show who recently visited and recounts their experience. The Guys sample through a few of their expressions and make some surprising discoveries about Colorado single malt whisky. Also, an important discussion...
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Fabrizia Spirits
The Guys are talking about Limoncello and RTD Spritz from Frabrizia. They discuss the unique background of this New Hampshire based spirits company and sample through their new Spritz lineup as well as their OG Limoncello.
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Kuleana Rum
The Guys discuss Hawaiian rum brand Kuleana and sample through their 4 main expressions. Joined by a special guest, they discuss a recent event for the brand that was led by co-founder Steve Jefferson and all of the interesting facts about the distillery that were learned there.
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Barrel House Distilling Co.
The Guys discuss their recent visit to Barrel House in Lexington. Joined by their friends from Bonding Over Bourbon, they discuss the day they spent there and sample through an array of different expressions they brought back from the trip. Then wrap things up with a surprise announcement.
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Kentucky Trip Day 3
The 3rd day of the Chi Spirits Guys Kentucky trip unfolds, with visits to 3 more distilleries (Dark Arts, Wild Turkey and Larrikin) and a trip to Keeneland to bet on some horses. The Guys recap it all for you.
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Kentucky Trip Day 2
The Kentucky adventure continues, as the guys recap Day 2 of the trip. Visits to Bardstown Bourbon Company, Makers Mark and a stop for possibly the best burger in North America were some of the highlights.
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Kentucky Trip Day 1
Chi Spirts Guys is on the road! The guys and their friends from Bonding Over Bourbon are hitting the bourbon trail for a weekend of distillery visits (and overall good times). They recap Day 1 of their Kentucky adventure (mostly in Louisville) and try few bottles they picked up along the way.
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Wood Hat Spirits
This week the Guys are talking about Missouri distillery Wood Hat Spirits. Joined by their friends from Bonding over Bourbon, Chris and Kat share their experience visiting the distillery and share a wide variety of bourbons they picked up in the process.
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Adictivo Tequila
This week the Guys are talking agave again, this time it's Adictivo Tequila. They discuss the brand, the fancy presentation, and breakdown 4 of the brand's expressions.
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March Madness with Planteray Rum
To celebrate March Madness, the Guys are doing a bracket of their own...with rum. They put Planetary rums from 8 different countries up against each other in a bracket style, single elimination tournament.
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Mirate
This week the Guys are discussing Parker's recent trip to Southern California and the wonderful mezcal and rum bar he visited there called Mirate. Parker brought back some handpicked mezcal and rum to share with the group. They break down these unique expressions.
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ASW Distillery
This week the Guys are talking about ASW Distillery out of Atlanta. They try a variety of their unique bourbon expressions and breakdown each one. As an added bonus, the episode starts with a review of Heaven Hill 19 Year.
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400 Conejos
This week the Guys are drinking mezcal with friends. They explore the brand 4oo Conejos, sampling through some expressions and discussing mezcal as a whole.
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Fun Rums (Vic's Farewell Episode)
This week the Guys say goodbye to intern Vic as she moves on to the next stage of her career. But before she leaves, she's going to pod about cool rum. They sample and compare some of the very unique and interesting rums Parker has come across lately and discuss the state and future of the spirit.
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The Last Drop
In this bonus episode, the Guys get the rare opportunity to sample a few expressions from The Last Drop Distillers. A brand that describes themselves as "Curators of the World's Most Remarkable Spirits". The Guys break down 3 of these rare and unique offerings.
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New Riff Barrel Pick Episode
The Guys are joined by their friends from Bonding Over Bourbon to talk about a recent trip to New Riff Distilling where they collaborated on picking a few barrels. They talk about the barrel picking experience, sample the whiskies that were chosen, sample a variety of other limited New Riff...
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Ireland Trip: Redbreast
The Guys are joined by the entire Ireland Crew (Even Bean!!!) to discuss a favorite brand of their's...Redbreast. They sample through a wide variety of Redbreast expressions they brought back from Ireland and discuss their experiences with the brand and in the country while on their famed Ireland...
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Russell's Reserve Annual Releases
In this bonus episode, the Guys talk about a few of the higher end Russell's offerings. They sample through the 13 year, 15 year and Camp Nelson and give their usual in depth reviews and hot takes.
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Barrell Craft Spirits
This week the Guys discuss Barrell and break down a few of their many unique whiskey blends.
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Ireland Trip: Teeling
The Guys and the Interns continue to recap their recent Ireland trip, this time discussing their trip to Teeling Distillery. They discuss the history of the brand, their experience visiting Teeling in Dublin and sample through many different and unique expressions. (We apologize in advance for…
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Ireland Trip: Midleton
The Guys and the interns recount their recent trip to Ireland and one of the stops during it, Midleton Distillery. They discuss the experience there and, of course, taste through a variety of the distillery's expressions.
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Star Union 2025
The Guys revisit one of their favorite Illinois distilleries, Star Union. They try some new offerings as well as few classics. As always with Star Union, there is a variety of types of spirit. Full disclosure, the Guys were on one for this episode.
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Casey Jones Distillery
This week the team is venturing deep into the heart of Kentucky in Hopkinsville. They sample through many different expressions and give an in-depth breakdown what Casey Jones has offer.
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Penelope Bourbon
This week the guys check out the popular brand Penelope Bourbon. They take an in depth look at multiple expressions from the brand and their history and give their takes on what this brand has to offer. (Warning: the takes on this episode are pretty hot)
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Brickway Distillery
This week the Guys are exploring westward with Brickway Distillery out of Omaha, Nebraska. They are joined by a Nebraska expert to help discuss the distillery, their offerings and of course provide some info about the state itself.
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Eagle Rare
The Guys try the iconic Eagle Rare lineup. They sample through 4 ages (10, 12, 17 & 20) and breakdown each of them. Does this brand live up to the hype? Find out here.
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Navarre Cognac
The Guys are talking cognac this week. They're exploring the artisanal brand from 4th generation cognac maker Jacky Navarre. They sample through 3 of their older expressions and discuss cognac overall as a category.
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Journeyman 2025
The guys (joined by the stars of Bonding Over Bourbon) revisit this midwest staple with some fresh perspective. They sample through a few familiar (but very unique) expressions and some new, exciting limited releases.
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Batuq Bacanora
This week the Guys explore a particular spirit for the first time, Bacanora. They sample some of this unique Mexican agave spirit and talk about its history and that of they brand Batuq. They also sneak in a pour of another very interesting Mexican spirit at the end.
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Maplewood Whiskey
The Guys are joined by Maplewood Brand Ambassador and friend of the show, Jon, who takes them on an expansive journey through many of the whiskies that Maplewood has to offer.
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Tip Top Cocktails
This week the Guys check out the Ready to Drink cocktail brand Tip Top, one of the top brands in the ever expanding RTD category. They sample through 6 different cocktails, breakdown each one and determine if these premade cocktails stand up to the their classic counterparts.
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Jack Daniels Special Releases
This week the Guys are joined again by special guest Andy and multiple interns to discuss Jack Daniels. They try some of the recent high end special releases JD has put out on the market and break down what could be some of the best pours the distillery has to offer.
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The Glenlivet
This week the guys are joined by very special guest and friend of the show, Andy. He joins them to try one of Scotland's iconic brands, The Glenlivet. They sample through 3 (or possibly 4) expressions of this scotch maker and see if it earns Andy's seal of approval.
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Still Austin
Joined again by their friends from Bonding Over Bourbon, the Guys check out the popular Texas distillery, Still Austin. They breakdown a wide variety of expressions, including a few limited releases, and see what Still Austin has to offer.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Chicago's preeminent podcast on all drinks distilled, brewed or cocktailed. At least that's our opinion! We're the Chi Spirits Guys - friends in the Windy City dedicated to trying the best (and worst) spirits on the market and attempting (often failing) to explain the flavors we taste. Each week we share our thoughts (and probably too much personal info) with our listeners in Chi-town and beyond. You can't sip it all, so let us do it for you! Check out our library of episodes to find your new favorite drink. Send us your ideas and questions @ChiSpiritsGuys (Insta) or [email protected]
HOSTED BY
Parker Mynchenberg and Jon Sheffield
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Chi Spirits Guys have?
Chi Spirits Guys currently has 205 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Chi Spirits Guys about?
Chicago's preeminent podcast on all drinks distilled, brewed or cocktailed. At least that's our opinion! We're the Chi Spirits Guys - friends in the Windy City dedicated to trying the best (and worst) spirits on the market and attempting (often failing) to explain the flavors we taste. Each week we...
How often does Chi Spirits Guys release new episodes?
Chi Spirits Guys publishes regularly with 205 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Chi Spirits Guys?
You can listen to Chi Spirits Guys on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Chi Spirits Guys?
Chi Spirits Guys is created and hosted by Parker Mynchenberg and Jon Sheffield.
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