Small can be great

“I don’t drink anymore. On the other hand I don’t drink any less either.” – W.C. Fields

There are many things that I love in this life: my wife, my kids, being outdoors, travel, great food, and, of course, bourbon.

Oh, one other thing; I love living in Indiana.

It’s a great state that has a lot more going on in it than most people think. For example, there are around 25 distilleries in the state. Yikes! I need to get busy. I haven’t visited very many of them. Today I’d like to talk about a couple that I find to be exceptional.

Just to the northeast of Indianapolis is the small, up-and-coming town of Fortville. There are many dining gems in this little burg, but it has another gem that is also truly outstanding: Moon Drops Distillery.

Located right on Broadway Street/State Road 67, Moon Drops has a very nice, newer, facility that has a beautiful cocktail bar and tasting room. They started out specializing in moonshine, which is quite good (the Lemon Shake-up is extraordinary). They then quickly branched out to make fine bourbons, all of which are very nice, but it’s their special barrels that are outstanding, specifically their Ruby Port, Tawny Port, and Sherry finished offerings. All three of these range from 100 to 119 proof, and they are absolutely wonderful.

Their latest release is the Sherry Barrel Finish. This 100-proof bourbon is rich, dark, and chocolaty, with a definite taste of sherry that adds its distinctive flavor in a non-cloying way. Truly a uniquely superb bourbon that I would rate in my Top 10, all time. Who would’ve thought that such a treat would come from a small Indiana town?

Speaking of small … Tucked off of Old State Road 46 just a few miles west of the popular tourist town of Nashville is the tiny town – if you can call it that – of Gnawbone. Don’t blink or you might miss it.

Gnawbone is home to the quaint Bear Wallow Distillery. The facility itself is small and unassuming, with a nice little tasting room/bar that makes craft cocktails. Their distilling area sits adjacent to it in the same building. Their “normal” offerings, which are marketed under the name of “Gnaw Bone Bourbon” are quite good for a small distillery and, like Moon Drops, they have a nice selection of flavored moonshines.

The shining star of this place is their 120-proof Single Barrel Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Wow! This is a high-proof flavor bomb that could hold its own against ANY bourbon out there. Seriously. With huge flavors of caramel and vanilla followed by the wonderful burn of 120 proof, this is a bourbon to sip, savor and cherish. One of my favorites.

There are a few other Indiana gems that we’ll visit together in the future. Right now, I have to plan some trips to visit the several Indiana distilleries that I haven’t been to yet. I guarantee there are some more outstanding local bourbons out there.

Until next time … cheers!

Jon Smyrnis is a lifelong Indianapolis area resident. He enjoys traveling, hiking, biking, kayaking, dining out, and, of course, fine cocktails and great bourbons.