Best of Chicago 2024
Cody Hudson
We're Asking For Your Votes!
Back in 2011, I worked tirelessly to bootstrap a licensed distillery in the small basement boiler room of an old factory in Ravenswood. This was the only industrial space I found in Chicago that I could sustain with my earnings as a bartender - the rent was $365/mo to be exact.
Within a few short years, my little Letherbee brand was being recognized by the Chicago Reader in its yearly ‘Best Of’ lists. In fact, in 2016 Letherbee Gin was actually voted ‘Best Local Spirit’. We were young, hip(ish), and making a splash in a new vibrant scene of small distilleries and cocktail bars. Friends and bartenders really had our backs. Gin was having a moment. My seasonal gins were killing. It was all hard to keep up with!
For the last decade, we’ve seen our industry go ape-shit with the launch of countless new brands, largely built as high-investment acquisition targets, aiming to be sold to a conglomerate like Diageo, Campari, Sazerac, Constellation, etc. The competition tooled up, attracted big dollars, and exploded. There are now countless new brands for buyers to explore. Letherbee has been largely out-invested and outspent.
Maybe I’m dumb or built differently. But every time I have been presented with an “opportunity” to “grow” in a capital-intensive way, it has felt toxic. Red flags. Warning bells. It feels like peering over the edge of a bottomless pit. Rich people often try to leverage their money to steal your mojo. Well, not with me, motherfucker. Because I believe I got something money can’t buy!!!!! *unhinged, self-deprecating laughter*
So, by most modern American measures, I’m a bad business person. I have not created exponential growth. I have not made anyone rich. Last year Letherbee was not included in any of Chicago Reader’s ‘best of’ nominations. It stung. It made me question whether I was failing.
But when you love something, you just do it, right? We’ve been keeping our heads down, doing our best work possible. We’ve seen competitors come and go. We’ve ridden shotgun with amazing bars and restaurants that have come and gone. We’ve seen Covid and everything since. We’re surviving. And I’ve proudly still never sold a single bit of Letherbee. There are not many small alcohol brands that have done so much with so little.
And all of the sudden, WHAM! I see we’re nominated twice in the Chicago Reader’s ‘Best of 2024’. I’m shocked! I’m flattered! I’m grateful!
I. Am. Thrilled.
I don’t know what we did to get back into the running but I feel it must be credited to our longest, deepest, core supporters who have always been there with us and who have also survived. THANK YOU to all the individuals who make our beloved, empathetic, and resilient community in Chicago. And THANKS to everyone who intentionally supports real local businesses.
We'd appreciate your votes for "Best Local Spirit" and "Best Local Distillery"