Wiseguy Lounge – A Hidden Bourbon Bar Gem In Downtown Indianapolis

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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.

Delaware County Bourbon Society – Old Hamer Picks (Halloween and Krampus Picks) Tasting

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I’m finally over my cold/sinus infection, so I’m back into the mode to do a few tastings.

Let’s start here: If you live in the East Central Indiana area, you need to be a part of the Delaware County Bourbon Society. You can join here. If you are the magical “WLBC land,” you know about trains, or if you know where Ball State is located, you are within the area where the group would be beneficial for you if you are a bourbon lover.

I joined this group after a bourbon tasting at my local Noble Wine and Spirits and I was lucky enough to get in on their two latest barrel picks from Old Hamer (aka West Fork Whiskey). They partnered with Pumpkin Pulp for the pick. What is Pumpkin Pulp? Pumpkin Pulp is a full service haunted attraction prop construction and F/X company located in Muncie, Indiana. They specialize in set design and construction, haunted house design and fabrication, haunted house consultation, special f/x for movies and music videos, costume design and construction, creepy exterior building facades, and anything else that creeps people out.

So essentially – I bought haunted bourbon. And I’m not mad about it. And no – These bourbons did not have pumpkin or pulp in them. Or anything else weird.

I stopped by the Anderson Noble Wine and Spirits last week and picked up both of my bottles and finally opened them both last night.

Krampus Barrel Pick

My video tasting will do most of the talking, but let me hit a few key points:

  1. I like this bourbon, but I’m a fan of Old Hamer in general.
  2. This has a distinct char taste at the end.
  3. I said marshmallow way too much.
  4. This was my second time trying this bourbon and I tried this neat this time. That really enhanced some of the flavors. I’m going to start doing this for my tastings going forward (plus a revised rocks version).
Old Hamer (Delaware County Bourbon Society) Barrel Pick - Krampus Pick Review

Halloween Barrel Pick

Now that you have heard my tasting on the Krampus pick, let’s move on to the Halloween pick. A few notes:

  1. I never thought I would describe a bourbon using a green Jolly Rancher.
  2. I didn’t have the “official” label, so I didn’t know this was a Halloween pick as I tried it. And I actually said it would be really good for Halloween. So that’s awesome.
  3. I’m not sold on the secondary aging in an apple brandy barrel.
  4. I actually thought this was going to be my favorite and I was wrong.
Old Hamer (Delaware County Bourbon Society) Barrel Pick - Apple Brandy Finish Halloween Pick Review

The Verdict

When looking at both of these barrel picks, I have a clear favorite.

I’m sold on the Krampus pick.

The Halloween pick is unique, but it’s not a bourbon I would go back and buy again (there was just too much apple). The Krampus pick on the other hand, I would go back and grab another bottle and enjoy it.

Will I try/buy another barrel pick from the Delaware County Bourbon Society? Yes I will, but I’m most likely not going to seek out the Hugh Hamer line as I just don’t think the secondary aged bourbons are my thing (well at least apple brandy barrels aren’t my thing).

Thanks to the crew that made this pick happen. I am happy to support a local group who is willing to provide their members with this awesome opportunity.

Editor’s note: As I am finishing this post, I’m drinking the Halloween pick and it might be growing on me. It’s still not taking the lead, but I think I’m appreciating it a little more as I continue to drink it. The apple brandy mellows out over the rocks and it actually provides a nice contrast to the bourbon.

A Bourbon’s Lovers Guide To A Perfect Day In Indianapolis

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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.

Courtesy of Visit Indy

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

Courtesy of Visit Indy

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

Courtesy of Visit Indy

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

Courtesy of Visit Indy

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.

Courtesy of Visit Indy

Stop 8 – Distillery – West Fork Whiskey – 4PM

Courtesy of Visit Indy

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

Courtesy of Visit Indy

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

Courtesy of Visit Indy

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?

21 Years of Bourbon – My Quest To Build My Son’s Bourbon Collection

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I am lucky guy. After two miscarriages, my wife and I were lucky enough to have a wonderful little man who keeps me on my toes. Literally.

When he was born, I decided to start him a collection. A collection of bourbon that is. It all started a when I read an article about how a guy sold his collection of scotch to buy his first house and each bottle was a gift for his dad for each year he was alive. It sounded like a pretty good idea, but I wanted to do it with a little bit different twist.

Instead of a bottle of scotch for each birthday, I decided to buy my son a bottle of bourbon for each of his birthdays and saving them until he turned 21 years old. Once he turned 21, I will turn over the collection to him with the following recommendation:

Each year on your birthday, I would like to buy you a new bottle and we drink the oldest bottle you have. So we always have something to look forward to for your birthday.

Since his birthday is coming up soon, I figured I would put together an update of the collection thus far and use this as a running journal that I can share with my son once he turns 21 years old.

So here it goes. The start of the 21 year bourbon collection:

Year 1 – Henry McKenna Single Barrel – Bottled-In-Bond

This was an interesting pick because I haven’t tried this bourbon. I wouldn’t have done this, but the story is just too good. I made sure to tell it in the card I taped to the back of the bottle.

Here’s what happened:

I walked into a local liquor store on a Monday afternoon and I was staring at the bourbon aisle trying to decide how in the world to start this collection. I was bouncing back and forth between a few selections when the guy behind the counter asked me if he could help. I said:

Yes. I need to buy a bottle of bourbon for my 1 year old.

Me

After a strange look, I explained what I was doing and he got a big smile on his face. He walked back into the back room and said:

I shouldn’t do this, but that story is too amazing. Here you go.

Nice Liquor Store Guy

I have no idea if this will be good, but I think it has a fighting chance. A bottled-in-bond barrel pick can’t be bad. Right!?! At least that’s what I’m going to tell myself.

So that’s pick #1 – A blind pick of Henry McKenna Single Barrel – Bottled-In-Bond from a nice man at the liquor store.

Year 2 – West Fork Old Hamer Spiced Cherry Cobbler Barrel Pick (Indiana Liquor Group)

When it came to year #2, I had to try to top year #1’s story if possible. And I realized the only way to do that was to share a story of my own.

If you have read my story about the origin of the Bourbon Master, you know that my love for bourbon really drills down to the story. I want to be able to know the people, the distillery, etc and that helps me understand the craft I’m about to drink in a glass.

When I think back to the first barrel pick that really made me go “whoa,” I think back to the Spiced Cherry Cobbler pick of Old Hamer from Indiana Liquor Group. I tasted a few barrel picks before, but I never fell in love with one like I did with this one. I drank two bottles of this (with friends) and I would have drank this one if I didn’t put it on his shelf.

So when thinking about what bottle to get my son, I decided to get him a bottle of this pick. It was the last one on the shelf and I couldn’t pass it up.

My Next Pick – Year 3

As his birthday rolls around this year, I am stumped once again on which bourbon to select to add to my son’s collection.

If you were given the option, what would be your selection to add to my son’s collection? Would you go with a barrel select? Would you go with an allocated bottle? Would you go with something 100% off the wall?

If you are a distillery, why should I pick your bottle? What would make your bourbon special enough to be consumed 21 years from now with the best thing that has ever happened to me?

Let me know your thoughts below.

Pumpkin Pulp and Krampus Delaware County Bourbon Society – Before The Tasting

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I’m standing at a tasting at my local Noble Wine and Spirits and having a few samples of the different products that evening. If you know anything about me, I’m constantly listen and observing the room (I try to understand all around me if possible). I heard something that perked my ears up.

When is the Pumpkin Pulp Barrel Pick coming in Jeff?

Rewind – If you haven’t met Jeff Clark, you might be missing out on one of the nicest guys in bourbon I know. He kinda works for the Indiana Liquor Group, but he has a full time job doing IT. And I’m pretty sure he is the mastermind behind the Delaware County Bourbon Society group on Facebook. I’ve done numerous tastings with him and he knows his stuff and his bourbon. I’ve even had him come do a bourbon dinner at Primo (in New Castle) and he rocked it with the food and bourbon pairings.

Fast forward – I find out there is this barrel pick from West Fork Whiskey and it’s going to the Delaware County Bourbon Society Facebook Group. Within minutes, I’m added to the Facebook group and I’m putting my name in for a bottle of this Pumpkin Pulp pick. I trust Jeff enough to know it’s going to be good and I’m not even worried.

A few days later, the Krampus pick was posted and I didn’t hesitate to jump in once again. Do I have any idea what in the world I actually purchased? No. Do I know that it will be awesome? Most likely.

I believe I have ordered a single barrel pick (Old Hamer) and an apple brandy barrel finished bourbon (Hugh Hamer).

I’m supposed to go up in the morning and pick both of the bottles up from Anderson. And I can’t wait to crack them both open tomorrow for a tasting. And I’ll officially report back with my findings (preliminary hypothesis is that I’ll be in for a treat).

So what’s the moral to this whole story?

  1. Be a part of local bourbon groups such as Delaware County Bourbon Society, Indiana Bourbon Club (which I’m hoping to get in on the 1792 charity pick with GoodFellas), Indiana Barrel Pick Club (picks coming soon), and any others in your local community. These are real you can make real connection and friendships that will get you everywhere in your bourbon lifetime.
  2. Find a person you trust who is a part of the barrel selection process. I trust Jeff with my tastebuds without hesitation. That makes it easy when I see a barrel pick because I don’t have to wonder if I would like it. I know. I might be wrong 5/100 times, but I’ll take those odds (plus it’s still an A in a college class).
  3. Stay tuned for my reviews. I’m excited to be able to try both of these and I think you will want to get a taste if you can as well!

Sick? Try A Hot Toddy

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To start: I’m not a doctor nor would I ever claim to be. The advice below is not medical advice and should not be taken as such.

I’ve been fighting a cold this week and I just can’t seem to shake it. I’ve had the headache, stuffy nose, cough, etc. It’s not fun and it’s even less fun because I don’t have the energy to do my normal activities.

Last night before bed, my wife asked me if she could make me hot toddy to see if that helped. Being at the point of complete miserableness, I said “sure – it might help.” She went off into the kitchen and bring me a hot toddy in a lovely Aristocats mug (only the best for me).

Hot Toddy Recipe

The recipe she uses is:

  • 3/4 cup of water
  • 1.5 ounces of whiskey (bourbon or scotch will also do)
  • 2-3 teaspoons of honey (buckwheat is preferred)
  • 2-3 teaspoons of lemon juice
  • And for some reason she puts a lemon wheel in it

Is this the tastiest thing ever? No. It is a bit tart and sweet. It shouldn’t be surprise because of the lemon and honey, but it always takes me by surprise. And I’m also not use to drinking any type of bourbon warm. It’s just a bit weird.

Does it help my cough? Yes. I swear I feel better if I drink 1 hot toddy before bed than if I took Nyquil (note – don’t drink and take anything with acetaminophen in it – that’s a big liver no no). I am not sure why this is the case, but I think a hot toddy does actually help out a bit.

There is actually some science to this and it has to do with the honey. Again, I’m not a doctor, so I won’t go into science or anything I don’t understand, but the general idea is that honey is a good treatment for a cough (and lemon for a sore throat). So it makes since that a drink with hot water, honey, lemon, and whiskey might be good when you are sick.

I hope you don’t get sick, but if you do, consider making yourself a hot toddy and let me know how you feel. I know it helps me from time to time and I would be interested to hear if it helps you as well.

What Is Single Barrel Bourbon?

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When it comes to bourbon whiskey, there are a lot of terms out there that can confuse drinkers as they start drinking. A few that come to mind right away are: allocated, bottled-in-bond, barrel proof, and single barrel bourbon. If you don’t know the basic definitions of these terms, you might feel overwhelmed and confused when standing in a bourbon aisle at your local liquor store. So let’s answer the question: What is single barrel bourbon and what makes it different than other bourbons?

What Is Single Barrel Bourbon?

In short, a single barrel bourbon is just how it sounds. It is a bourbon that is taken directly from one barrel and is not blended with other barrels.

Easy right?

If you are new to the world of bourbon, you might need a little more information than that. Let me expand just a bit.

Blended Bourbon

Most bourbon that you see on a store shelf is blended. This means a distillery takes a bunch of barrels and mixes them together to provide a consistent taste. It’s how you know a bottle of Maker’s Mark is going to taste the same if you buy it in Indiana or if you buy a bottle in Florida. The blending of bourbon is essentially an art that is performed by master distillers at each distillery.

If you are wondering why bourbon needs to be blended, think about this. The whole world of distilling is science at its core, but when it enters the real world, there are outside variables that can impact the flavor of a barrel of bourbon.

Let me give you an example:

Say I’m working at Buffalo Trace and I am making hundreds or thousands barrels a day. All of these barrels have the exact same white dog (aka distillate) with the exact same mash bill in a barrel with the exact same specifications. Shouldn’t everything taste the same? In theory, yes, but that’s not actually the case.

Once the barrel enters the warehouse, it is introduced to the most variable of variables out there. Mother nature.

Once you add mother nature into the mix, all bets are off in terms of consistency. If we have a hot summer and a really cold winter, some barrels might taste different than others. And depending on their location in the rick house, the taste can dramatically change. A barrel on the outside of the top floor has a higher average temperature than a barrel on the bottom floor in the middle of the warehouse. Location, time, and mother nature create the differences between each and every barrel.

The guys and gals in the business started to realize there were some barrels that were hands down better than other barrels. And they saw an opportunity to make some additional money by selling these under a different marketing tactic.

Side note: If I was a master distiller and I noticed there were some amazing barrels, I would have said nothing and just kept them for myself. Don’t get me wrong, I love to make money, but I wouldn’t give up an amazing barrel. Just my two cents.

Single Barrel Bourbon

With that, I introduce single barrel bourbon. Like I mentioned before, it’s a pretty simple definition. Bourbon taken from a single barrel and sold. It’s a once in a lifetime experience you will get that truly shows you the skill of the distiller (ok – that sounded really marketing lingo-y, but I really wanted to write it).

I have to imagine the process looks something like this:

The master distiller start the day by sampling 4 different barrels of bourbon. The 1st barrel tastes good, but it could use a little more spice. The 2nd barrel is a bit sweet, but close to what the distiller is looking for. The 3rd barrel – oh my. This might be the best barrel I’ve tasted this week. Send this one off to be bottled by itself. The 4th barrel sucks compared to that 3rd barrel.

I’m sure there is a more “official” process than this, but you get the idea.

In general, single barrel bourbons tend to be at a higher price point, but bring a large depth of flavor to each bottle. They are generally hand-selected and have the barrel number located on the bottle. Most people would argue that single barrel bourbons are more rich and robust in flavor. And since the average barrel only holds 180-220 bottles of bourbon, it’s likely that you will be one of just a handful of people to ever get to try that exact bourbon. Ever. In the history of the world.

Single Barrel Select

If you ever see the phrase “single barrel select” or “store pick,” you might want to know the difference between a single barrel and a barrel select bourbon.

As mentioned before, a single barrel bourbon is selected by a distiller and comes from one barrel of bourbon. A single barrel select is essentially the same thing, but someone other than the master distiller ends up picking the exact barrel.

Liquor stores, clubs, restaurants, etc sometimes coordinate with distilleries to purchase an entire barrel of bourbon (that they can choose). They usually send a group of people (or a really good individual) down and they get to sample selected barrels. Once a barrel is picked, it is labeled and bottled specifically for that customer.

These bottles can be some of the best bottles you’ll ever have (if you find a great team that is picking the barrel). I hope to some day do this with my online community (and I’d love for you to be a part of it)!

Is Single Barrel Bourbon Better?

In theory, yes. A single barrel bourbon should be better than a standard bourbon from a company.

I like to think of it this way: If I have an amazing barrel and I can sell it at a premium, why would I mix that with any other barrel?

I said in theory because it all comes down to the person doing the tasting and selecting the barrel. If you have someone with an amazing palate that lines up with yours, you might think the single barrel bourbon is the best thing since sliced bread. If you have someone with a completely different palate, you might think this was a waste of your time and money.

That’s why it’s important to do your research instead of just picking up a bottle and hoping for the best. I always try to look for tasting notes from people I trust, try to understand the barrel selection process from a given distillery, and focus on barrel selects from local liquor stores.

Conclusion

In conclusion, single barrel bourbon is a unique and highly sought-after type of whiskey that is known for its distinct flavor and depth of character. It is made from a single barrel of aged bourbon, which allows each bottle to offer a one-of-a-kind taste experience. While it may be more expensive than other types of bourbon, its unique qualities make it well worth the investment for many whiskey lovers. Whether enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or in a classic cocktail, single barrel bourbon is sure to impress with its rich and complex flavor profile. Plus you might never drink the same bottle again, which adds to the lore of great barrels and great bourbons.

Best Bourbon Bar In Muncie, Indiana

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I think the best bourbon bar in Muncie, Indiana is Trust Your Butcher Steakhouse. And let me explain why I think that is the case.

When you think of Muncie, Indiana, you most likely think of David Letterman and the lovely Ball State University (also known as the Harvard of Muncie). Some of you might wonder where the heck is Muncie in the first place. Other might think of the lovely trains and pot holes that make the city feel like home.


When I think of Muncie, Indiana, I think of my favorite places to go for dinner and a drink. Growing up in the New Castle area, Muncie was (and still is) our big town. Having gone to college at Ball State, I have grown to love the city of Muncie and the restaurants and bars that make it feel like home. I’ve been going to Savage’s Ale House since I turned 21 years old. I’m probably the biggest cheerleader for The Guardian Brewing Company (keep it up Bill and Jason). And I’ll soon have my name on the bar of the Heorot, one of the best craft beer bars in the world.

When it comes to bourbon, Muncie isn’t the most exciting city for those who don’t know where to look. As a quasi-local, I have tried about every place in town and I know where you need to go to get some good food and have a pretty awesome bourbon selection.

My all-time favorite place to grab a bourbon was at the Neely House until it closed out of the blue about a year ago. Cam (the mixologist) was curating an amazing bourbon list and always had new things for me to try. Once the Neely House closed, I had to take my bourbon hunting somewhere else. And it led me to my local butcher shop…


You read that right. My hunt for the best bourbon bar in Muncie has its origins in a meat market. Lahody’s Meats to be exact. I’ve been getting my steaks, smoked pork chops, and everything else from Lahody’s since 2011. I’ve masted the art of grilling the perfect medium rare filet and I know you always ask for the dry aged cuts (the ones that look brown) when you get to choose your own steak. The white paper signs with red marker will never leave my mind and my wife still sends me to pick up meat at least once a week.


When Ron Lahody decided he was going to open a steakhouse, I had some mixed feelings. I was excited because it was going to be another place to go to dinner. I was worried because I know exactly where he is getting his steaks and I knew I could buy them myself and grill them at home (and pay half the price).


After a few months of protest (my own personal cheapness coming out), I finally took my wife for dinner. And I was blown away by something I wasn’t expecting. Don’t get me wrong, the steak was tasty and the salad was too large for a family of four to eat, but the real surprise was the bourbon selection.


I guess I didn’t know Ron Lahody was a bourbon guy. I remember reading his emails from the meat market and him talking about martinis and other drinks like that. I don’t remember a lot about a crazy love for bourbon.


Once you walk into Trust Your Butcher Steakhouse, you’ll see that you have landed at a great place to get a pour of bourbon. The list has a ton of different selections and they aren’t priced as high as you would find in Indianapolis (still high for the Muncie area though). If you set the price aside, you’ll find that you are in the best bourbon bar in Muncie. I don’t think there is a lot of competition, but it still makes Muncie no longer a bourbon desert.

Outside of Trust Your Butcher, you might be able to find some bourbon at the Clubhouse @ Accutech, Vera Mae’s, 1925 Pub House, and Elm Street Brewing. I don’t know of many other places with a large bourbon selection. One of my hidden gem picks is the Heorot Bar as they sometimes have some killer deals on bourbon and scotch (check out the menu here).


So the next time you are in Muncie and looking for a pour of bourbon, you might want to check out Trust Your Butcher Steakhouse. It’s the best selection of bourbon that Muncie has to offer. I recommend going on a Thursday and picking up their $5 burger special). Once you are done there, make sure to drive out to the Friendly Package in Yorktown to find a few good barrel picks. And if you want to grab a drink, reach out to me and I’ll make it happen!

5 Best Bourbon Bars In (and Around) Indianapolis

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As you can tell from this blog, I’m a fan of the Indianapolis area and it’s the “big city” when I go out with my wife or friends. And I did a search on Google for the “best bourbon bars in Indy” and I chuckled when I read the list. I think it’s one thing to have a list of the best and fanciest bourbon bars, but there should also be a list of the best bourbon bars in Indianapolis for normal everyday people. So here it is – My top picks for the Indianapolis and surrounding areas.

A few things to note about my selections:

  1. I had to have actually been to the bar. I don’t want to tell you something is awesome and never have been. If it’s on the list, I have personally walked in and ordered a drink.
  2. I’m not the “fancy” cocktail kind of guy. I want to have a good tasting pour of bourbon when I go to a bourbon bar. I might go for an old fashioned, but I’m going to want a good bourbon list with reasonable prices. I might pay extra for a barrel pick or something like that, but I’m not going to pay extra because you have a cool fountain in your bar and your mixologist uses ingredients they use at Hogwarts for potions.
  3. I’m drawn to the downtown and the north/northeast side of Indianapolis due to where I live. You’ll see my bias in the selections.
  4. I’m not one who loves huge crowds. I want a place I can sit and have a drink with some conversation. If it’s a trendy bar where I have to pay to get in, count me out. If it’s going to be super crowded always, count me out.

If that sounds like you, then you are going to love this list. If not, you might want to find another list of the top bourbon bars in Indianapolis.

1 – Joe’s Grille Fishers

Joe’s Grille wins my picks for best prices on bourbon. I stumbled on this place a few years back as I was looking for a quick stop to grab a drink and some food on my way to the airport. After we visited, I followed them on Facebook. I didn’t go for another few years and then all of a sudden, I saw a post that was talking about their new updated bourbon menu. So on my next trip to Indy, I made an effort to stop and grab a drink.

It doesn’t look like much from the outside, but the bourbon list makes up for that. Dang. They have a great selection and even better prices. When I can get a pour of Noah’s Mill from Willett for $5, we are talking Elks Lodge prices. They also seem to have a pretty good selection of barrel picks and hard to find bourbons. I could go to HC Tavern and pay almost $30 for a pour of Booker’s Bourbon, but I can get the same pour here for $12 (and it’s literally just down the road a few miles).

I haven’t tried much of the food, but I’m all in for the bourbon. This is now a destination stop for me before I drop any money on a bottle of bourbon that is a little higher in cost. I stop here and try it (if they have it) and then go and make my purchasing decision. It’s way cheaper than most places in the area and the selection can’t be beat for the price point.

2 – Final Third Cigar and Whiskey Lounge

I’ll be honest, I’m not the biggest fan of cigars or cigar smoke, but I’ll make an exception for this great find in Ingalls, Indiana. Final Third Cigar and Whiskey Lounge is the place to be if you want an eclectic choice of bourbons, ryes, and whiskies. And it’s not as smokey as one might think a cigar bar might be.

It wins my pick as the best hidden gem bourbon bar in Indianapolis.

I saw a friend post something about this place on Facebook, so I did a little investigating. It seemed like my kind of place, but I needed a reason to head that way to stop in and check it out. When my father-in-law decided to drive the strangest way to a beer festival, we ended up driving through Ingalls and I yelled TURN RIGHT HERE AND LET’S HAVE A DRINK.

I was glad we did! As you can tell from my picture, they have one heck of a selection and the people in there are super nice. I know they partner with the Indiana Bourbon Club (not the one I run, but still a great one) for some barrel picks as well.

I now have this as a standard stop if I’m ever in the area.

3 – 1933 Lounge

This one wins my pick for best date night spot for a bourbon lover in Indianapolis. My wife is a sucker for a big steak and she loves the shrimp cocktail with the cocktail sauce. And honestly, I don’t want to have the fancy steakhouse experience. So I enjoy bypassing St Elmo’s and just walking up the stairs to the 1933 Lounge. You have access to a smaller menu and a full bar. It’s my kind of place.

The prices here are steep, but that’s what you should expect with this being one of the top steakhouses in Indiana. I recommend getting the sliders and a barrel select bourbon from their list. I personally like the barrel picks from Woodford, West Fork, and Journeyman Distillery.

You don’t have to have a reservation for the Lounge and I recommend getting there right when they open. You can go belly up right to the bar and watch the bartenders at work. If you head to the one in Fishers, I recommend getting the Elmo sushi roll (it’s the freaking best). If you are downtown, you can walk down to Ruth Chris or Spoke and Steele (not on the list, but both great places).

4 – Broken Barrel

I’m not 100% sure why I like this place that much, but I do. It wins my pick for vibe and smaller venue. I’ve been once and I was impressed enough to go again. The prices were mid-range and there selection was pretty good as well. I went to the Carmel location, but I see there is also one in the Geist area.

I went here with my wife and a good college friend to celebrate the end of another semester of a teaching. I got to try Old Rip Van Winkle and it was a fun time. It’s attached to Wolfie’s, so that’s a plus and it seems like it’s a little hole in the wall place. That hits two boxes for me. It also has a speakeasy feel without being overdone. I wasn’t mad either that the vodka was cheap for the wife. If I’m in the Carmel area and need a place to grab a drink before or after going to Vine and Table or Total Wine and More in Nora, this is my place. It’s also not far from Keystone or Westfield, so it’s a nice meeting spot if you have friends in either of those locations.

5 – FoxGardin Kitchen and Ale

Foxgardin wins my pick for the best place to grab a bourbon and have an amazing meal. Plus it wins my very prestigious prize of best old fashioned in Indianapolis. If you haven’t been to this amazing restaurant in Fortville, Indiana, you are missing out.

But when it comes to bourbon, you need to know about a little secret. There is a small bourbon bar upstairs once you get into the restaurant. If you ask, you can go grab a drink (and grab dinner) in a small intimate setting. They have quite the bourbon list and they have one of the best old fashioneds I have ever had (Foxy Old Fashioned). If you can’t get a seat upstairs, you can head to their patio (also upstairs) or the one downstairs.

And don’t sleep on the food. Some of the best meals I have had over the past 5 years have come from this place. I love the bone marrow fries, the Yucatan Shrimp, and the Jalapeño Beer Cheese Soup. And don’t forget about Jane’s Pies (ask for the selection of the day).

Conclusion

Indy has a good selection of bourbon bars and I think you won’t be disappointed with your selection. I have my personal preferences, but I think you will find that there are a lot of great options. If you are looking for a good selection at great prices, consider going to Joe’s. If you are looking for a unique little place, try Final Third. If you are taking a date, consider going to 1933. If you are looking for a laid back place, consider Broken Barrel. If you are looking for a great dinner, visit FoxGardin.

If you have a place I need to check out, leave a comment below and I’ll make it happen (and write about my experiences).