The Last Call

     Journeyman Distillery continues to prove why they’re one of the most exciting craft producers in the Midwest. Corsets, Whips, and Honey is a brand-new, distillery-exclusive release built on their 100% wheat whiskey and infused with real Michigan honey. Originally rooted in Michigan and now expanding into Valparaiso, Indiana, Journeyman handles everything in-house, and that commitment to transparency and local collaboration shows up immediately with this bottle.      This is not a honey-finished whiskey or a flavored gimmick. Real honey from Great Lakes Bee Company is blended directly into Journeyman’s Corsets, Whips, and Wheat whiskey. It’s Michigan through and through, and that local focus adds a lot of character before the glass is even poured. For the full video review visit the link here:  https://youtu.be/P3EM0ps7nC4 . Age Statement: N/A. ABV: 35%. Mash bill: 100% Michigan wheat. Area of Distillation: Three Oaks, Michigan. Appearance: ...

     West Fork Whsky Company has become a familiar and trusted name on my back bar, and for good reason. Distilling, aging, and bottling all of their spirits in Indiana, they’ve consistently shown a willingness to experiment while still respecting the core of what makes good whiskey enjoyable. This Hot Honey Finished Bourbon is part of an ongoing collaboration with local spice expert King Butter, and Batch 3 marks a noticeable evolution in the series.      Having spent time with both Batch 1 and Batch 2, I came into this release with a mix of excitement and curiosity. The first batch was bold and cask strength, the second leaned heavily into spice. Batch 3 introduces a higher age statement and promises a better balance between bourbon character and finishing influence. I had tasted this previously at the distillery, but a fresh pour at home always tells the real story.      The finishing process is what sets this whiskey apart. An ex-bourbon ...

     Every now and then, a craft distillery does something just weird enough to make me stop and say, “Okay… tell me more.” That was the case with this honey barrel-finished bourbon from Detroit City Distillery. I’d heard rumblings of this project back in 2024 and knew I had to track it down, not just for myself, but because we’ve got a honey barrel blind flight coming up, and this one felt like it deserved a seat at the table.      Now, Detroit City Distillery is one of those smaller outfits doing a bit of everything—bourbon, gin, rum, vodka, you name it. I’ve reviewed a few of their whiskeys before and always found them pretty solid for the craft category. The only downside is I can’t get their stuff here in Indiana, but anytime I make a run up to Michigan, I try to keep my eyes peeled for something new and interesting. And this? A whiskey finished in honey barrels from an urban rooftop beekeeping project? Yeah, that’ll do.      Official de...

     West Fork Whiskey Company has made a name for itself in Indiana’s growing craft whiskey scene, distilling, aging, and bottling all of its own spirits in Westfield. This release is something special, a high-rye straight bourbon finished in a hot honey barrel, created through a collaboration between three Indiana locals. The bourbon starts as West Fork’s high rye mash bill, then takes a turn into a barrel that previously held hot honey crafted by King Butter, using honey sourced from Mumbe's Orchard in Atlanta, Indiana. It’s a single-barrel release, and the second time West Fork has explored this concept, with the first using their wheated bourbon. I enjoyed that one, so the high-rye version had me both intrigued on what differences there will be! For the full video review visit the link here:  https://youtu.be/4ak0ZM3MzE0 . Learn more about King Butter via his link:  https://kingbutter.com/ . Age Statement: N/A. (Single Barrel). ABV: 50%. Mash bill:  ...

     West Fork Whiskey Company, based in Westfield, Indiana, where they have two sides of distilling. Side one is their in house made West Fork Whisky Co. and Old Hamer/Hugh Hamer being the second side sourced from MGP.  Overall West Fork is transparent on what they are doing, aging times, disclosure on sourcing, and even finishing. This release is a partnership with a local Bee farm and Orchard, Mumbee's.      Essentially, West Fork gives a barrel to Mumbee's to fill with honey. Then after some time, they empty out the honey and return the barrel to West Fork to fill with bourbon. Personally, honey finishing can be hit or miss for me. Sometimes it can give just enough sweetness and "honey" notes, other times it can bring the "funk" and drown out the bourbon and go south. Prior to this honey release, I have reviewed West Fork's Hot Honey finished bourbons that were crazy unique. For better or worse to some haha!      Either way, let's se...