The single-malt whiskey is almost ready — and the owners of North Shore Distillery invite patrons to sample its custom blend at a special fest March 17 and 18.
“This will be the fifth year doing the whiskey fest,” said Sonja Kassebaum, who owns the distillery with her husband, Derek Kassebaum.
“We’ve been making single-malt whiskey for many years, but we’ve not started selling it yet,” she said. “Every year, we pull a sample and share it with people to see how it’s doing. We’re getting close to being ready to release it” for sale by the bottle.
The fest is being held for two days instead of one this year, and whiskey will be available for $12 per serving.
“This is the only chance this year to try this whiskey,” she said.
“We will have some special cocktails and other Irish specials available for tasting and discussion,” she said. The tasting room and cocktail bar will open for the event. A $10 distillery tour will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday.
Single-malt whiskey is made from 100 percent malted barley, hence the name single malt. “It’s one of the styles we are making here and it takes a long time to age,” she said.
“We are aging ours in full-sized used bourbon barrels. We’ve been making it for nine years now.”
The single malt they are making is a type of Irish rather than Scotch whisky, she said. “Irish is softer and more heathery. It’s a lovely, subtle whiskey.”
Scotch whisky has more of a smoky, peaty character, she said.
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When they opened in Lake Bluff in 2005, the Kassebaums were making vodka and gin, which doesn’t require as much time to age as whiskey. They now sell the white spirits in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Mississippi, Indiana and Michigan.
“Whiskey is hot as a category. We have known for many years, but we want to wait for it to be just right,” she said.
A lot goes into the aging process within the barrel, she said. The spirits interact with the oak, creating layers and complexity.
“And it’s good for the barrel to get cold in the winter and hot in the summer,” she said.
The couple moved their distillery from Lake Bluff to a much larger space in Green Oaks in the summer of 2016. That has enabled them to plan events such as comedy night and terrarium night, she said.
They host their first stand-up comedy show at 8 p.m. March 23. For $35, patrons can listen to comedian Jay Harris while having a cocktail and some light snacks.
“Jay Harris tries to make fun of things in life, he tries to be engaging with the audience,” Kassebaum said. “He’s not a shock comic. He’s a funny, observant comedian.
A popular event the couple recently started is terrarium night. “It’s so fun. People have the best time of it,” she said.
For $45, patrons receive supplies to make their own terrariums and are guided by a professional. The events are held the second Thursday of each month and tickets sell out fast, she said. Only a few tickets are left for the April 13 terrarium night, which starts at 7 p.m., she said.
The distillery also will host a fundraiser from 5 to 8 p.m. March 25, called Bottoms Up for Babies. Proceeds will benefit an organization that distributes diapers to folks in need in Lake County.
The $65 price includes two cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, a sweets table, live music, distillery tour and spirit tasting.
As for when the single-malt whiskey will finally be available by bottle for sale, Kassebaum said, “I’m trying to get Derek to commit.”
Sheryl DeVore is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
North Shore Distillery Single Malt Whiskey Fest
When: 4-10 p.m. March 17; 1 -10 p.m. March 18
Where: 1390 Rockland Road, Green Oaks
Tickets: $10 tour; $12 for whiskey samples
Information: 847-574-2499; www.northshoredistillery.com