We’re in the Daily Herald: Building a Bourbon Community in Vernon Hills

We’re honored to share that Aged in Oak was recently featured in the Daily Herald: “‘Trying to build a community’: Three bourbon lovers bring auction house/bar Aged in Oak to Vernon Hills”.

This article captures the heart of what we’ve been working on: creating a space that goes beyond bottles and bids — a place where bourbon lovers, collectors, and the simply curious can come together.

Why We Built Aged in Oak

At the core, we’re just three guys who love bourbon. We’ve chased bottles, swapped pours, and built friendships over this shared passion. But along the way, we saw a gap. Too often, the secondary bourbon world felt cold and transactional.

So, we asked ourselves: what if we built something different?

Not just an auction site.
Not just another bar.
But a community hub where you can chase bottles, sip something new, and connect with people who get it.

As we said in the Herald, “We’re not just three guys trying to make a buck off the secondary market. We are really, truly trying to build a community.”

And that’s exactly what Aged in Oak is about.

What You’ll Find Here

We designed Aged in Oak to bring together the best of bourbon culture in one place:

• Bottle Auctions: With more than 100 bottles in our very first auction, ranging from everyday finds to grail-worthy rarities, this is a new way to discover bottles you won’t see sitting on shelves.
  
  
• The Tasting Parlor: Our bar is more than a bar. It’s a gathering place. Come in for a pour, a cocktail, or just good conversation.
  
  
• Hands-On Experiences: Pull a pour straight from the barrel — because bourbon tastes even better when you’re part of the process.
  
  
• Creative Cocktails: Think crème brûlée old fashioned, smoked maple sour, bourbon cherry-tini. Because bourbon is serious, but it can also be fun.
  
  
• Events & Education: From private tastings to pairings to curated gatherings, we’re here to help people explore, learn, and connect.
  
  

Why It Matters

We believe bourbon deserves more than quick transactions and closed circles. It deserves a stage — and a community.

Aged in Oak is that stage. Whether you’re a collector chasing rare releases, a curious newcomer looking for your first bottle, or someone who just wants to enjoy a good cocktail with friends, this is your place.

And the best part? We’re right here in Vernon Hills — building something we hope will be one-of-a-kind not just locally, but nationally.

Join Us

Our auctions are already live with bottles up for grabs.
Our tasting parlor is open, with a seat waiting for you.
And this is just the beginning.

We’d love for you to be part of this.

👉 Read the full Daily Herald feature here
👉 Then come raise a glass with us in Vernon Hills.

Because at Aged in Oak, it’s not just about bourbon. It’s about building something bigger — together.

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