Liquor stores?

First off, thanks for all of your help through now with getting my fiancee and I adjusted to living in Chicago- we've been able to source many a great item due to the help on this board. It doesn't go without much much appreciation.

In any event, now on to my question: Besides Sam's and Binny's where should I be looking for ultra-premium liquors? Think microdistilled bourbons, vodkas, etc.

I'm not really looking for wine shops, though I will be in a little bit (I've been loving The Wine Cellar up in Palatine for now, but will need to expand soon enough)

I was turned on to Lush Wne and Spirits a little while ago and have enjoyed the nicely curated, albeit small, selection of wines, beers and spirits. They do tastings Sunday afternoons and I find the service to be helpful and non- intimidating. My one caveat is sometimes the prices are a little higher. They have locations in University Village and Roscoe Village.

Lush Wine and Spirits
2232 W. Roscoe St.
Chicago

Lush Wine and Spirits
1306 S. Halsted St.
Chicago

One thing to add about Lush: they have some very hard-to-find whiskeys that aren't availiable anywhere else in the area. These often have price tags to match, though. About the only one of the "unavailables" that I can afford is the Four Roses Single Barrel, otherwise only available in Kentucky, in the export market, and (recently) NYC.

If you're looking for something out-of-production or extremely rare (like Wild Turkey Tribute, Weller 19yo, or one of Buffalo Trace's Experimental Collection), and prepared to pay the freight, you'll likely find it there, though.

<b>The Wine Discount Center</b>
on Elston near Cortland
carries a nice selctions of yummies...
Barbancourt Haitian Rhum/15 yrs. aged
Coure de Lyon Clavados
and many other "selected" spirits
from Grappas >to Vodkas

I'm a big fan of West Lakeview Liquors (2156 W. Addison). It's a small place, but they have a very well chosen selection of beer, wine, and liquor. I'm not a huge spirits drinker, but their beer selection always amazes me. There are definitely beers here that you can't find anywhere else in the Chicago area. Also, the staff is usually extremely helpful and fairly knowledgeable.

Am I the only one turned off by the signage at Lush?

No, I'm sure the people across the street share your feelings.

Thank you for pointing out West Lakeview Liquors, a place I have been meaning to try for awhile and now I feel more spurred to do it. I completely agree about signage for Lush-A litle too Moulin Rouge and a little too...ripe, maybe? And the prices can be high, but it is for stuff that you cannot get anywhere else.
That being said I stopped by my local Foremost last night and was pleasantly surprised by the prices and, relative, good selection. I'm not talking mecca here, but much better than I remember it and prices that were easily a buck under other places.