While there may not be a formal Indiana bourbon trail, such as Kentucky's long-standing one, many view the Hoosier State's bourbon scene as diverse and dynamic. By definition, bourbon mash bill/recipe must contain at least 51 percent corn. Kentucky's rich soil for growing high-quality corn leads to unique flavors of Kentucky-made bourbon. However, Indiana's lesser-known distilleries, such as some highlighted in this feature, comprise a trail along which each sip also tells a story of tradition, innovation and the spirit of the Midwest.
Sun King Brewery
Independent craft beer maker Sun King Brewery opened a $5 million, 15,000-square-foot craft distillery and tap room in Carmel during 2016. At the time, the company's co-founder Dave Colt completed his distiller’s education at the Distilled Spirits Epicenter in Kentucky, stating "whiskey is distilled beer, so you're already halfway there." The Carmel team then produced a handful of creative, small-batch spirits and more traditional products, such as whiskey, gin and rum. The former distillery spot eventually was transformed into an event and dining area. The Carmel location still includes a full bar with local and regional spirits, cider, beer and wine, often now partnering with West Fork Whiskey Company.
SunKingBrewing.com | 317.843.6250
Four Finger Distillery North
Located in Westfield, this distillery provides more intimate, adults-only experiences. Select from among Straight Bourbon, Absinthe, Peated Bourbon, Three Knock Bourbon, Rye, Single Malt or Bottled Old Fashioned. Head Distiller Brad Colver offers a one-of-a-kind experience where up to six friends can create a 15-gallon barrel of whiskey that’s uniquely theirs. Enjoy live music on weekends. Guests are welcome to bring in their favorite local eats.
FourFingerDistillery.com | 765.859.3256
18th Street Distillery
As Indiana's largest Black-owned distillery, this team in Hammond creates artisan spirits and craft cocktails. Their patio is kid-friendly, dog-friendly and bike-friendly, and they sometimes have live music. Their award-winning rye whiskey uses the same grain bill as their renowned beers, creating a unique crossover experience. The team states their Old Fashioned is consistently one of their top sellers.
Facebook.com/18thStreetDistillery | 219.937.6103
Edwin Coe Spirits
This "grain-to-glass" artisan distillery, craft cocktail bar and events venue is located in Churubusco, named in honor of moonshiner Edwin Coe Dupuis. The family-owned and operated team makes an array of premium spirits, offering meals and live music, too. Unlike distillery staffs who purchase neutral grain liquor, founder Joe Collins states all of Edwin Coe’s spirits are made completely in-house at their facility, from milling grain, fermenting, distilling, aging, blending, bottling and hand-labeling each product.
EdwinCoeSpirits.com | 260.286.1107
Windy Ridge Winery, Distillery & Brewing Co.
From Covington, this staff creates whiskeys, wines, craft beers and wood-fired pizza. Their reserve label bourbon is a blend of Indiana white corn and red winter wheat, described as "smooth on the palate with just a hint of a sweet finish." Patrons indicate this is a friendly spot to hang out.
windyridgewinery@sbcglobal.net | 765.793.2629
Old 55 Distillery
"Farm to bottle" bourbon made in Newtown is provided from a true family business, with "every bit of grain used being sourced from local fields or the family farm." Owners indicate their products are harvested, milled, mashed, fermented and distilled with lessons passed down from their grandfathers. Their custom-built potstill reportedly was designed and made in Germany. They have tours and tastings. They make corn whiskey, single barrel bourbon and 100% sweet corn bourbon.
Old55Distillery.com | info@old55distillery.com
Cardinal Spirits
Award-winning spirits and refreshing cocktails are found at this creative craft distillery, bar and restaurant in Bloomington. They have a patio, tasting room, food and spirits, all from scratch and with real botanicals, fruits and spices. Distillery-hosted events include cocktail classes, bingo bruch with celebrity callers and weekly trivia gatherings. They also hold tours and have a gift shop. They create butcher's bourbon, four-grain bourbon, single malt straight whiskey, Cardinal gold bourbon and Perry's Secret Stock Crimson Corn Bourbon.
CardinalSpirits.com | 812.202.6789
Bear Wallow Distillery
As a woman-owned and family operated distillery in Nashville, this team offers tours, whiskey tastings and their "famous moonshine shake-up cocktails." They were the first new distillery to open in Indiana after the Artisan Distillers law passed in July of 2013. Owner Susan Spagnuolo states their "Hoosier Hooch" flavored moonshines are made from Indiana handcrafted corn whiskey and only natural flavors that make them "dangerously drinkable." They make five whiskeys, by hand, in small batches, with grains they get from Indiana farmers to acheive 100% Indiana grown results.
BearWallowDistillery.com | 812.657.4923
Hard Truth Distilling Co.
This sweet mash distillery is located in the heart of Brown County in Nashville. Distilling actually began during 2015 in the small, upper rooms of Big Woods Pizza Co. The tiny craft distillery quickly grew; by 2017, construction was underway on a new facility set on a wooded, 325-acre property about a mile away. The setting became the gorgeous Hard Truth campus, with the Hard Truth Tours and Tastings Center opening at the end of that year. They offer a sweet mash bourbon, sweet mash wheated bourbon, chocolate malt sweet mash rye whiskey, high road rye and sweet mash rye. Ask them about their Maple Bourbon Cream or the Mizunara Finished Sweet Mash Rye.
HardTruth.com | 812.720.4840