warm leatherette

Warm Leatherette

Rittenhouse Rye, Punt E Mes, Cynar, Mezcal, Chinese 5 Spice, Cardamom 

GIVE IT YOUR BËSK SHOT

In 2013, Letherbee Distillers joined forces with R. Franklin (Robert F. Haynes III of Analogue) to create a refined, Swedish-style wormwood liqueur — a tipple previously made notorious by one label’s flavor profile of burned tires and used bandaids. The gorgeous grapefruit peel notes and subtle traces of juniper, star anise, and elderflower musk of R. Franklin’s wormwood liqueur sent the folks at previously mentioned label into a tizzy: Just who did these Letherbee people think they were, going and making a shot of wormwood liqueur a pleasurable drinking experience? Well, the tizzy turned tantrum, and R. Franklin’s came out of the whole ordeal with a brand new outfit (and if you ask us, he’s the bësk-dressed bottle on the wormwood liqueur-shelf.)

So without further ado, let us re-introduce you to R. Franklin’s Original Recipe BËSK by Letherbee Distillers. The name is the Swedish word for “bitter,” and the juice remains the same: BËSK hits with initial flavors of grapefruit before an onslaught of its namesake herb alongside earthy gentian root — an effect that lingers on the palate for quite a surprising while. Beneath the acrid din of the more acute tasting notes rests more gentle traces of juniper, star anise, and elderflower musk. Bottled at 100 proof, Letherbee's BËSK remains an esoteric shot for adventurous drinkers, but the bitter liqueur can be gracefully incorporated into sophisticated cocktails. 

R. Franklin’s Orginal Recipe BËSK will be taking his new label for a spin on Sunday, April 20, from 8pm-2am at Sportsman’s Club. Wade McElroy and Jeff Donahue will share their bar with R. Franklin, and together they’ll serve a menu of the very bësk wormwood liqueur cocktails around, including:

Event details here.

TOC | BNB

In an excellent year for new watering holes in Chicago, Analogue has been nominated as Time Out Chicago’s Best New Bar 2014! 

Cast your vote here!