A few weeks ago, I wrote a nice post highlighting my top 5 bourbon bars in and around Indianapolis. My rule was simple: I had to have been to the bar in order for it to make the list. As that post made its rounds, I started getting comments on other places I should try and that might make the list in the future.

And some random guy named Matthew reached out to me on Facebook and said this:

My man, love the articles you are putting out. Stop by Wiseguy Lounge on Mass Ave. If you think these bars have a good selection, I think you’ll consider our spot for one of the best on the state. Our private selection is like none of that I’ve seen: Stagg, Blantons, Eagle Rare, Weller Full Proof, Elijah Craig barrel proof, Russell’s Reserve, Wilderness Trail, multiple Knob Creek and Knob Creek ryes, among many others. Then our overall selections is growing to almost over 500 with everything from the allocated items such as the full Weller lineup to smaller craft distilleries. Would love to host you for a tasting there sometime! Cheers!

Matthew

I clicked on the Matthew guy and it looked like he didn’t live in Indy, but I didn’t say no right away. I had another person comment that I should try out the Wiseguy Lounge as well, so I was thinking there might be some merit to this random Facebook message. And I’ll be honest. I have this thing for finding random strangers online and making lifelong friends (shout out to the Park Shark and Aaron who I randomly met on Craiglist and now park and stay at his house in Green Bay).

So my kid was with the grandparents and I decided to take my wife to give this place a try.

And there is nothing more reassuring than walking into the place and his being your first view…

When I think of a great bourbon spot, I always think of a New York style pizza place…..right?

This is actually why I’ve never been here before. I never knew the Wiseguy Lounge existed. There was no sign outside or anything to give me the notion there was a bourbon bar here. I had actually parked across the street less than a year ago and had no idea this place was even here.

But if you ask the nice people serving pizza where the lounge is, they’ll tell you to walk through the restaurant and head towards the bathrooms. Then you’ll see it.

And what a sight it was to see as we rounded the corner.

I guess that random guy on Facebook wasn’t wrong after all. And come to find out, he is actually the beverage manager for the chain of bourbon bars. Which was also a revelation for me, because I had no idea this place existed and little did I know that they actually have multiple locations (2 in Cincinnati, 1 in Louisville, KY, 1 in Covington, KY, 1 in Lexington, KY, and 1 in Chattanooga, TN).

My wife and I sat down at the bar and were talking about the two guys on the right that were drinking beers in this bourbon mecca. We couldn’t figure it out, but we decided we were going to try some bourbon and possibly a cocktail or two.

Our bartender Adriana was quiet at first, but after a little bit, we found out she went to the same college as me and my wife and we became fast friends. We were handed a bourbon list and a cocktail menu and I started looking through all of the options.

And there were a lot of options. This was just a few of the many pages of options.

I guess that random guy on Facebook wasn’t lying. I had a little bit of trouble deciding what I was going to try, but I decided I was going to have a few 1oz pours of their barrel selects (you know I have a thing for barrel picks). Matthew also suggested a few through our chat, so I wanted to try one or two of those as well. My wife decided to have two different cocktails (the Marylyn Monroe martini and one other one – I forget the name). She was impressed with both of the cocktails, but she wished she would have been able to try a few more.

In terms of the bourbon I tried, here are the bottles:

1 – Knob Creek 9 Year “The Bookie”

I picked this one not knowing there was a gambling/mob theme with a lot of the names. I thought this one would be in the Booker’s taste profile with the name, so I just went for it. It was full of flavor and was impressive to start my tasting. For the $6/oz pour price range, I would grab this one again in a heartbeat. It was a beefed up version of Knob Creek and it did have a little bit of that Booker’s flair (not all the way, but I might have talked myself into it as well).

2 – 1792 Full Proof “The Dangerous Dram”

I chose this one from a recommendation from Matthew that was confirmed by our bartender. She said this was a top seller and a crowd favorite.

She wasn’t wrong. This was my favorite of the afternoon and my wife also agreed. This was packed with flavor and really hit up the oak, caramel, butterscotch, and overall yumminess notes. If this wasn’t the last bottle they had, I would have walked out with a bottle (little know fact, you can actually buy bottles of the barrel picks). The bartender said she only had that bottle left in stock (which was a bummer).

3 – Knob Creek 9 Year “Witness Protection”

I asked Adriana for her favorite barrel pick and she said she liked a pick with a little more rye and spice, so she recommended the Knob Creek Witness Protection pick. This one was good, but it wasn’t in my taste profile. It has a spice, but it was a little over the top compared to my first two pours. I would drink it again, but it would be my last place out of the picks I tried.

4 – Weller Full Proof “Jackpot”

Last but not least, I had a pour of the Weller Full Proof “Jackpot” barrel pick on the recommendation of Matthew. I have never honestly had Weller Full Proof, so I didn’t know what exactly to expect. I figured this would be the one time in my life I could try it, so I went for it.

It was delicious. It has the Weller flavor, but it was kicked up two or three notches. I’m still learning to love wheated bourbon, but it’s growing on me. This was soft on the palate for being 108 proof and it had that fruity flair at the end.

All in all, I was really impressed with their barrel picks. I think whoever is picking these barrel has a taste profile that’s in my ballpark and I’ll be more than ready to try more of these picks in the future. I’m going to go back on a Tuesday and have a DD so I can try a few more when they are on special.

I want to take a few moments to touch a few other things about my visit.

1 – Our breadstick – We decided we need a snack and we ordered a breadstick to spilt. Yes. One breadstick to spilt. It was the size of a freaking yardstick and it was tasty. I dipped mine in the habanero hot sauce and my mouth was on fire, but very happy. I wish we would have grabbed a piece of pizza to give it a try. I will the next time.

2 – Peanut Butter Tequila – As we were talking with Adriana, she was working on making different drinks to pitch to for the new menu. During our chat, she mentioned a weird concoction of peanut butter tequila and both my wife and I made a face of disgust. She poured us a small sample and we tried it and I was blown away. It was actually pretty dang good. It tasted like liquid peanut butter fudge. I’m not sure how it was made, but it would be good in a mixed drink or a shot. I could also say that it could cause one hell of a hangover.

3 – Prices – I was expecting that this place was going to be very expensive. If you were drinking the high end allocated bottles, it might be super pricey. Outside of that, the rest of the drinks were reasonably priced for the area. The specials were great and the barrel picks were priced in a range I was comfortable in as well. I’m not mad about the pricing at all.

4 – Old Fashioned – Near the end of our visit, a group of 3 people came in and order drinks. One of the people ordered this old fashioned and I watched Adriana make it. She made the old fashion and then poured it into an old Blanton’s bottle to smoke it. I’m not against a little show with my drink, but this just seemed silly.

5 – Mixers and Prep – Another thing we learned in talking with Adriana was all of the mixers and ingredients are made in house. I thought this was really impressive and it showed that the place cares about the quality.

6 – Size – This isn’t the largest place ever and it has a really nice speakeasy feel. If I went on a Thursday afternoon, I don’t think I’ll ever have a problem getting a seat. On a busy Friday or Saturday night, I would be a little worried about being able to get a seat. It’s not a problem, but more of just something to be aware of if you are making plans.

Overall Review

As my wife and I were driving off to dinner (landed at FoxGardin in Fortville), we had a little debrief in the car about the Wiseguy Lounge. And here is the one comment that I’ll start with from my wife:

I want to go back here every time we are in Indy.

My Wife

And I agree with her. We both really liked the place, the drinks, the bartender (Adriana), and even the breadstick. I was impressed with the barrel picks and I want to go back and try more.

I wish we would have known about this place before. I’m glad some random guy reached out to me on Facebook and told me to stop by. I think they may have made a customer for life. We are already making plans to stop by on our next trip to downtown Indy when we stay for a few nights.

So take my word. Walk into a random pizza shop, head towards the restroom, and enjoy a really nice gem of a bourbon bar in downtown Indianapolis.

When you think of bourbon destinations, I doubt Indianapolis is at the top of your list. You are likely thinking down in Kentucky on the Bourbon Trail or some major distillery you have your heart set on to visit. I’m willing to argue that Indianapolis is exactly where you need to go to have an amazing bourbon experience. You just need to know where to look.

And that’s why I’m taking you on a ride to Bourbon Town. Hop on in this……

Ok – That’s enough of me trying to do my best Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. That being said, take this local’s view of the trip he would take with his bourbon loving friends.

A few notes before we get started:

1. Everything is going to be my own personal recommendation. Almost all of these places I have personally been or have had a close friend I trust vouch for the location. These are literally places I would take my own wife and my family members.
2. This trip should be taken on a Friday, or Saturday. If you go outside of those days, you should really check the hours of each location to confirm the plan will work.
3. This trip is for those who want to experience the bourbon culture and bourbon bars of Indianapolis. If you are hunting for a bunch of allocated bourbon, this isn’t your trip.
4. These are only a handful of the stops I would recommend and this particular trip is focused in the downtown Indianapolis region. There are plenty of other locations you can visit while you are in the Indianapolis area (for example – these 5 stops)
5. I’m going to recommend a stay in the downtown area. This optional, but I always recommend responsible drinking (with no driving). You can safely Uber or Lyft with this plan after the initial few stops.

Now let’s get to it. You mayor of Bourbon Town is leading you on an oak soaked trip in the heart of downtown Indianapolis. So buckle up and let’s ride.

Stop 1 – Breakfast – Steer Inn – 8AM

I wouldn’t have been doing all that funny business if I wasn’t going to start you off at a Triple D location. Trust me – I know there are higher rated places downtown, but come on. Don’t you want to say you have been to the Steer Inn that was featured on Triple D!?

In all honestly, the food here isn’t going to be some really fancy dish. It’s probably getting a 1 on presentation from most of the Chopped judges, but it’s going to taste amazing. I’ve been a few times and I haven’t had a bad meal.

Plus it’s not a bad thing to get a nice solid base on your stomach before we go off drinking bourbon all day. I recommend getting the corned beef hash (and seeing if they have a piece of coconut cream pie to go).

Stop 1.5 – Your Phone – While Your Waiting On Breakfast – 8:30AM

This is going to seem strange, but I’m going to tell you to download an app if you ever plan on being back in Indianapolis again (within the next year). You need to go check out Indiana On Tap. They are kind of like the biggest cheerleaders of the craft beer and distillery industry in Indiana. You might want to consider grabbing their app and their membership (I get nothing for this – I just love those guys). Here are a few of the offers you can use over the next few days. It’s your call on this one, but I highly recommend it.

Stop 2 – Liquor Store – Rural Inn – 9:30AM

There was a reason I started you out at the Steer Inn for breakfast and it was to get the major driving out of the way before we get drinking. The Rural Inn is right along the way back into downtown Indianapolis and it should be your next stop.

Now I’ve not been here personally, but my research and friends tell me that I am missing out.

Come in and find out what your friends have been keeping a secret from you! The Rural Inn has one of the absolute best selections of bourbon in Indianapolis and beyond. With hard to find favorites and over 25 hand picked barrels personally selected by our very own in house Bourbon expert Ray Vandivier, The Rural Inn is gaining a nationwide following.   

Rural Inn Website

According to my friend Ryan, this is an essential stop for all bourbon lovers.

Ray is great and will offer sampling pours of allocated stuff. Not to mention the store picks they sell at the store is top notch

Ryan

I have this on my list to stop at in the next few weeks, so I’ll update the blog with a review once I do.

I would suggest grabbing a bottle for your home or something you can sip on once you get back to your hotel room for the evening. I would also suggest spending 30 minutes to 1 hour here – I’m one who loves to look, talk, and read, so it’s never hard for me to spend that much time.

Side note: If you happen to be there at the first of the month (the first Saturday that is), you might want to look on their Facebook page for information on their bourbon tasting.

Stop 3 – Coffee Break – Calvin Fletcher’s Coffee Company – 10:30AM

Now that you are done at the Rural Inn, we still have a little time to wait until we can get into our first distillery (for some reason, everything opens up after 11AM – Might be that most people don’t sample bourbon all day long).

So I’m going to get you real close to our next location and have you stop for a cup of coffee. Calvin Fletcher’s Coffee Company is one of those coffee shops that are an Indy staple. You won’t be disappointed grabbing a cup of coffee. If it’s nice outside, make sure to check out their courtyard and enjoy the weather.

Stop 4 – Distillery Stop – Hotel Tango Distillery – 11AM

Hotel Tango is a veteran-owned distillery and I can remember when it first opened. My father-in-law and I were exploring downtown and we stopped in to visit. It was a pretty much a small bar with a backroom that had the still operating. The person distilling actually handed us a small pipette and we got to drink straight off the still (which was an experience I have never had before). Since there, this place has transformed into a rather large facility with a cocktail bar.

I recommend grabbing a cocktail and using your Indiana On Tap membership to get a discount (side note: If I use a discount, I usually end up grabbing something else like a shirt to make sure I support the small businesses).

I’ve always thought the cocktails might be a little to “crafty” for me, but you might think different. The price point for most drinks is also high, but I think it’s due to the artisan nature of the venue and the drinks. Their cocktail menu is seasonal, so make sure to check out their social media platforms for the most up-to-date menu.

I also wonder if their cat is still there. That was always a treat to it wondering around.

Stop 5 – Distillery Stop – 1205 Distillery – 12PM

You might start thinking about lunch if you aren’t still full from the Steer Inn, so I wanted to put you in a place where you could enjoy bourbon and possibly lunch. If you are down for a “Muncie staple,” you might want to grab some Greek’s Pizza (I went to college and work in Muncie and I’ve always loved Greek’s). You might also want to make a detour and stop by Chilly Water Brewing across the street and grab a sandwich (pretty good).

If you do decided to get some pizza, you are in luck because it is located in the 1205 Distillery. The name 1205 should ring a bell because it is the date that prohibition ended (December 5th). This distillery used to be a full restaurant/bar and I spent a few hours talking with the bartender about the whole distillery. I was impressed with the story and I’m glad to see it has expanded a bit.

My wife also loves the names of the cocktails. They rotate on a seasonal basis, but if you are around during the holidays, I highly recommend ordering a ARE YOU SERIOUS CLARK?!?!

Stop 6 – Liquor Store/Tasting – Storied Company 1PM

As a safe individual, we need to start thinking about getting your car back to the hotel and parked for the evening. It’s also getting close to check-in time, so you should be able to get into your room without a hassle.

Before we head to the hotel, we have one more stop to make and it’s at Storied Company.

If you haven’t read my entire write-up about this stop, you’ll want to do that here.

Once you walk in, Denis and Simon will take you on an adventure with their stories and the tastings. You can do up to 4 tastings (.5 oz each) and you can also purchase any bottle to go (to consume later or to add to your collection).

I had to make sure to stop you by here because they close at 4:30PM and it isn’t likely that you will be back in this area before then.

Stop 7 – Hotel – Bottleworks – 2PM

It’s time to drop off your car and to have a great time! We have already visited 2 liquor stores (Rural Inn and Storied Company) and 2 distilleries (Hotel Tango and 1205 Distillery). You are probably in need to a short break before we hit our final few stops for the day.

I chose the Bottleworks Hotel because of a few reasons:

1. I have been and love this hotel. So does the wife.
2. Food and drinks are within walking distance once we get the last stops done.
3. There is also entertainment nearby.
4. And this hotel is an incredible piece of renovated history.

I suggest checking into your room and relaxing for two hours or so. I know my wife would tell me she needs a break. It’s been a busy morning and I’m not going to stop now. If you can’t wait that long, you might want to check out the Garage Food Hall next door or take a look at some of the shops down on Mass Ave. We’ll be back at it at 4PM.

Stop 8 – Distillery – West Fork Whiskey – 4PM

It’s time to request an Uber or a Lyft and make a short trip to West Fork Whiskey. It’s only about a 2 mile drive, so it shouldn’t take long once your ride arrives.

You might have read my rundown of the Westfield West Fork, but I’m taking you to the original location. It’s a small venue and you’ll feel right at home.

I recommend getting a flight to spilt to be able to taste all of their spirits, but you can’t go wrong with a cocktail as well.

I’ve always loved this place and I think it’s a staple in the Indianapolis bourbon scene. You see a lot of the liquor stores grabbing an Old Hamer or Hugh Hamer barrel pick (and that comes from West Fork). Spend some time talking with the bartender and learning more about the distillery itself.

Stop 9 – Bourbon Bar – Wiseguys Lounge – 5PM

After your stop at West Fork, you’ll need to request another ride and I’m going to take you to Wiseguys Lounge.

When you get out of the car, you might think you put in the wrong address. You’ll be dropped off at a pizza joint called Goodfellas. Trust me, you have made it to the right place. The Wiseguys Lounge is a speakeasy located in the pizza joint.

I haven’t personally been, but it’s on my list to go to ASAP. I got a message from someone associated with the bar and I’m very excited to make a stop.

Stop by Wiseguy Lounge on Mass Ave. If you think these bars have a good selection, I think you’ll consider our spot for one of the best on the state. Our private selection is like none of that I’ve seen: Stagg, Blantons, Eagle Rare, Weller Full Proof, Elijah Craig barrel proof, Russell’s Reserve, Wilderness Trail, multiple Knob Creek and Knob Creek ryes, among many others. Then our overall selections is growing to almost over 500 with everything from the allocated items such as the full Weller lineup to smaller craft distilleries.

Wiseguys Lounge

I’m probably going to try a few of the barrel picks, but enjoy the bourbon of your choice!

Stop 10 – Bourbon Bar/Dinner – Hard Truth Distillery and The Garage Food Hall – 6:30PM

After the nice little walk down Mass Ave, you are back across the street from your hotel and it’s time for dinner. Lucky for you, you have a ton of options in the Garage Food Hall. Everything from burgers to seafood, the food hall is a happening place with a lot of different food options. I personally recommend trying a few items from different vendors. My wife loves the burgers and I love the odds and ends.

Even better, you have one more bourbon stop while you are there! Hard Truth Distillery has a bar located in the Garage Food Hall. Once you grab your food, stop and grab a drink from Hard Truth. At this point, I’m most likely craving an old fashioned, but I’ll leave the selection up to you!

Stop 11 – Your Own Adventure – The Rest of the Evening

I’ve taken you on 10 stops of some of the best bourbon bars and distilleries in Indianapolis. Some of you might be exhausted and others might want to still go explore. I’m leaving you on your own here and I hope you enjoy the rest of the evening. There is a great bar in the Bottleworks hotel you might want to try. You might want to go duckpin bowling across the street. You might want to catch a ride and go visit the 1933 Lounge above St. Elmo’s. If you were like me, you might want to go back to the room, put on your pajamas, and crack open one of the bottles you purchased at the Rural Inn or Storied Company (then the wife asking if we could get Taco Bell delivered or possibly a dessert).

Whatever you choice might be, I hope you enjoy a perfect end to an incredible day on the Indianapolis bourbon trail.

Conclusion

If I haven’t convinced you that Indianapolis is a bourbon destination, I’m not sure I ever will!

The trip above is a perfect way to see the best stops downtown for the bourbon lover. You get your pick of liquor stores, distilleries, and bourbon bars in the downtown Indianapolis area.

Enjoy the trip and make sure to share how you enjoyed it so others can know about Indy’s bourbon scene.

If you haven’t been to Indy, you might want to make it your next trip. If you have been downtown, what else would you suggest adding to the trip?