The Last Call

  Penelope Marshmallow Toast Bourbon Whiskey Review.      Penelope has been on a roll lately, especially since settling under the MGP umbrella, and their recent limited releases have been grabbing attention for good reason. Marshmallow Toast debuted in late 2024 alongside the Cream Brûlée Architect in 2025, and each showcases Penelope’s knack for pulling highly specific flavor profiles from single barrels. I missed the excitement of batch one, but batch two found me at the right moment during my travels, and at a reasonable price. As a longtime Penelope fan and a lover of toasted bourbons, this release had me genuinely excited.      Batch one appears to have been closer to four years old, making batch two a slight age upgrade. The whiskey is then finished in heavily charred No. 3 casks, designed to coax out toasted sweetness, vanilla creaminess, and the “marshmallow toast” character they’re aiming for. The transparency behind this release only add...

Hard Truth Double Oaked Bourbon Whiskey Review.       Hard Truth Distilling has quickly become one of Indiana’s breakout names, known first for its exceptional sweet mash ryes and now steadily expanding its bourbon lineup. When I first heard about their new Double Oak release, I knew I had to track down a bottle. Thankfully, a family member visiting the distillery snagged one for me. I’ve loved what Hard Truth has done in the past, and the idea of them giving their sweet mash bourbon the double oak treatment instantly caught my attention.       True to their transparent approach, this is a barrel-proof, small-batch release, just 28 barrels total, and for now a distillery exclusive. Hard Truth employs a sweet mash process, meaning they start each fermentation fresh instead of using remnants from the previous batch like in a sour mash. The result tends to be a brighter, more vibrant flavor profile. Now up to this point their sweet mash bourbon for m...

 Four Finger Distillery Bottled in Bond Rye Whiskey Review.      Craft whiskey is alive and thriving in Indiana, and Four Finger Distillery continues to be a name that defines what small-batch passion can achieve. Based out of Indianapolis, Four Finger handles every step of the process, distilling, aging, and bottling, right in-house. This level of control and transparency is rare, and their latest release, a Bottled in Bond rye whiskey, feels like a proud milestone. Having loved their barrel-proof rye (my top Rye of 2024), I was excited to see how this one held up under the Bottled in Bond standard.           Four Finger Distillery , once known as 1205 Distillery, carries one of the more memorable origin stories. Its name comes from founder and master distiller Brad losing a finger during the construction of the stills, a touch of grit that now defines the brand’s spirit. Visit their tasting room, and you’ll find great cocktails, a frie...

 West Fork Whsky Co. Korean Barbecue  Finished Bourbon Review.      Every now and then, a whiskey comes along that breaks all the rules, and West Fork Whisky Company has made a habit of doing just that. In recent time they have been doing some creative finishes with their in house distilled, aged and bottled whiskey. West Fork has teamed up once again with the culinary wizard King Butter for a truly experimental release: a straight bourbon whiskey finished in a  Korean barbecue barrel . This limited release promises something wild, savory, and entirely new in the world of bourbon.      West Fork and King Butter (storefront   linked here )  have already made some great and unique finishes with their hot honey and Swoleracha hot sauce cask projects, but this one might take the cake, or rather, the steak. With only about 50ish bottles in existence, the concept alone had me intrigued: barrels that once held rich Korean barbecue sauce, n...

 Hard Truth Single Barrel Bourbon Finished with Toasted Amburana Oak Review.      Hard Truth has long been one of my favorite craft distilleries to keep an eye on. Based in southern Indiana, they’ve built a strong reputation in rye whiskey but have been steadily carving out space in the bourbon world. This bottle represents a first for them, not only a single barrel bourbon, but one finished in toasted Amburana oak. Picked by Handy Spot Liquors here in Indiana, It’s a bold experiment, and one I was excited to open up with my wife before sitting down to share it here.      The foundation is a five-year-old straight bourbon, finished for six weeks in toasted Amburana oak. That finishing choice can be polarizing, Amburana is known for strong, cinnamon-sugar, sometimes overpowering notes.  For the full video review visit the link here:  https://youtu.be/AtECT_YT7XI . Age Statement: 5 years. ABV: 56.65%. Mash bill: Area of Distillation: Nashvil...

Three Floyd's Distillery Well of Whispers Single Malt Whiskey Review.           Three Floyds has long been a staple in the craft beer world, but in recent years they’ve been turning heads with their distilling program. Based in Indiana, they’ve been releasing some unique whiskeys, often playing with high malt bills and even incorporating grains tied to their brewing heritage. Their newest release for 2025, the Well of Whispers American Single Malt, is bottled in bond at 100 proof and made entirely with malted barley grown in Lebanon, Indiana. That transparency and local sourcing is exactly what I love seeing from craft producers, and I was eager to see how Three Floyds would handle a straight-ahead American single malt.      The Well of Whispers is crafted from 100% Indiana-grown malted barley, distilled and aged entirely in-house by Three Floyds. As a bottled in bond whiskey, it carries the guarantee of being at least four years old, distill...

 Three Floyds Dark Lord Straight Malt Whiskey Review.     Three Floyds is a name most folks know for their legendary beer; Zombie Dust, Gumballhead, and, of course, Dark Lord, the Russian Imperial Stout that has become a cult classic. But in recent years, their ambitions have stretched beyond hops and barley into the world of craft spirits. For their 20th anniversary of Dark Lord in 2024, they released something bold: a straight malt whiskey finished in Dark Lord beer barrels. This one carries not just the Three Floyds reputation, but the energy of their beer-fueled legacy.      What’s fun here is the mash bill: barley, wheat, oats, and corn. It’s already unique on paper, but when you layer on finishing time in barrels that once held one of the heaviest stouts around, it creates a collision of grain and beer culture in a bottle. I’d been sitting on this release for far too long, but with a 6-year version just hitting shelves, it seemed like the perfect time...

 West Fork Whsky Co. Bloody Butcher Bottled in Bond Bourbon Review.      West Fork Whsky Co. is no stranger to this channel, and they’ve consistently shown what a craft distillery can achieve when they stay true to their roots. Based in Indiana, West Fork not only ages, distills, and bottles their own spirits, but also takes pride in pushing boundaries with unique mash bills and special releases. Tonight’s pour, the Bloody Butcher Bottled in Bond Straight Bourbon, is one of those examples.      My very first encounter with this heirloom grain was through West Fork, and it left a lasting impression. It’s not for everyone, but when handled with care, it can create a profile that’s both exciting and refined. This release is especially intriguing, as it’s not just a 100% Bloody Butcher mash bill, it’s also bottled in bond, carrying with it the standards of quality and transparency. For the full video review visit the link here:  https://youtu.be/y14D4...

 Penelope Wheated Bourbon Whiskey Review.          Penelope has become a household name in the bourbon world, and for good reason. Their transparency around sourcing and blending, especially with access to MGP stocks since their acquisition, has led to some exciting releases. With the Weeded Bourbon, Penelope is offering something approachable and shelf-stable, an everyday pour that doesn’t break the bank.      This release is a four-grain bourbon and is only 1% different compared to their standard four-grain. It shifts slightly, boosting the wheat while trimming the barley, a subtle but interesting tweak. The whiskey is aged four to six years, with a blend that includes some older barrels for added depth. At a price point generally ranging from $30–$40, it aims squarely at the budget-friendly market while offering a higher proof than their standard four-grain expression. For the full video review visit the link here:  https://youtu.be/X...

       Hard Truth Toasted Mizunara Oak Finished Rye Whiskey Review.      Hard Truth has been making waves in the rye whiskey scene, and tonight I’m diving into something bold and unusual from their lineup: a straight rye whiskey finished with toasted Mizunara oak, bottled at cask strength. Based in southern Indiana, Hard Truth has built a reputation around their sweet mash process, where fermentation tanks are completely cleaned between batches,labor-intensive, but it creates a uniquely clean and vibrant flavor profile.      Mizunara oak itself is special. Harvested only after trees reach at least 200 years of age in Japan, it imparts flavors unlike typical American or European oak. It’s a notoriously expensive wood to use, so most distilleries work with staves instead of full barrels. Seeing Hard Truth experiment with this finish had me eager to see if their craft touch could bring something truly memorable. For the full video review vi...

Traveler's Point Distillery Signature Edition Bourbon Whiskey Review.      Traveler’s Point Distillery in Kirkland, Indiana, has been making waves in the craft whiskey scene. Known for transparency around their process, sharing entry proofs, mash bills, barrel sizes, and sourcing much of their grain locally, they’re building a reputation for honest, hands-on whiskey. During a recent trip to the distillery, I stumbled upon their Signature Series Bourbon, a small experimental release that immediately caught my eye with its deep, almost red color. With only 500 bottles produced, mine being #442, this is truly a small-batch passion project, available only at the distillery.      Master distiller Mel Lytton decided to play with 10-gallon barrels, and the result is one of the most unique pours I’ve come across this year. For the full video review visit the link here:  https://youtu.be/24QWAKyY34A . Age Statement: N/A. (Aged in 10 Gallon barrels). ABV: ...

 Rare Saint Straight Rye Whiskey Review.      Rare Saint is a newer brand on the Indiana whiskey scene, with its operations based in Indianapolis. Early indications suggest they do a lot of sourcing from MGP, which is far from a bad thing, MGP makes some excellent whiskey. That said, there’s a bit of marketing questions here, with the bottle labeled as a “limited release” and “rare spirit.” I picked this one up out of curiosity and a desire to support a local brand, hoping to see how they handle barrel selection.      The labeling suggests a two-barrel blend and an official age statement is nowhere to be found on the bottle. Their website mentions a 5-year age, but without that detail on the packaging, it’s left as an assumption. For the full video review visit the link here:  https://youtu.be/DZdKGnv-FUs Age Statement: 5 years (according to the website). ABV:  57.65%. Mash bill: 95% rye, 5% malted barley. Area of Distillation: Indiana. Appea...

West Fork Whsky Co. Swoleracha Hot Sauce Finished Bourbon Whiskey Review.      West Fork Whiskey Company has always been a personal favorite of mine, and for good reason. Based in Westfield, Indiana, they’ve been steadily building a reputation for bold, creative releases that showcase both skill and a playful sense of experimentation. I’ve supported them for years and have more bottles from West Fork than any other distillery in my collection. This particular release, Sorracha, might just be one of their wildest ideas yet.           It’s the product of a collaboration with King Butter, a local Indiana legend in the world of hot sauces, spice blends, and rubs. King Butter’s hot honey barrel finish has already made its way into West Fork releases in the past, but this time they’ve turned the heat way up. The process involved aging hot sauce in a West Fork barrel, emptying it, and then filling it with their wheated bourbon plus keeping it a sing...

Hunt Club Distillery 151 Proof Gin Review.          Located in Sheridan, Indiana, just north of the Indianapolis market, Hunt Club Distillery prides itself on distilling, aging, and bottling all their own spirits on-site. Their gin heritage runs deep, with the current master distiller carrying on a tradition passed down through his father and grandfather. Local pride is at the heart of their work, sourcing many botanicals from Indiana and even hand-picking them personally. This 151-proof release is one of their newest creations, available exclusively at the distillery in 375 ml bottles. It’s a bold proof for a gin, but one they’ve managed with surprising finesse.     E verything about this gin screams local pride. Most of the botanicals, specifically the juniper, are sourced from right here in Indiana, and are even picked by hand. The result is a spirit that feels rooted in place and personality. While it’s got the muscle for a killer cocktail, I wante...

Old 55 Distillery Single Barrel Cask Strength Sweet Corn Bourbon Whiskey Review.           Old 55 Distillery is a small craft operation tucked away in Newtown, Indiana, just south of Lafayette, and they’ve built a name for themselves by doing something very few dare to try, making bourbon with 100% sweet corn. I’ve crossed paths with a few of their spirits before and have always respected the level of care they bring to the table: all distilling, aging, and bottling is done in-house, with a heavy emphasis on local grains. Their Bottled-in-Bond Sweet Corn Bourbon is the bottle most people around here know, but this release, a single barrel, cask strength version, was something I’d only ever seen at the Market District in Carmel, Indiana.       Sweet corn isn’t just a novelty for Old 55, it’s an expensive, labor-intensive choice. A bushel of the common yellow dent corn runs about $4 (2020 prices), but the sweet corn they use costs over $1,...

 Old Hamer Single Barrel Cask Strength 8 Year Bourbon Whiskey Review.      There’s something oddly charming about Old Hammer. It’s like the quiet cousin of West Fork Whiskey Company—same bloodline, just a little more rough around the edges, and a lot more likely to knock your socks off with cask strength heat. This particular bottle is a single barrel pick selected by the in-house whiskey club over at West Fork, and while I wasn’t lucky enough to be on the tasting panel for the pick, I  was  there on release day. One pour in, and I knew it deserved a closer look. Here’s the deal: Old Hammer leans hard into the MGP pipeline, and this bottle is built on the classic 99% corn, 1% malted barley mash bill. That’s the sort of recipe that usually doesn't see much love, so to see it dressed up in an 8-year-old cask strength expression is great. Due to the mash bill you highly rely on the barrel, age, and proof to do the lifting scene there's really no other grains B...

 Three Floyds Distilling Demon’s Whip Indiana Rye Whiskey Review.      Three Floyds Distilling, based in Munster, Indiana, has long been a powerhouse in the craft beer world with legendary brews like Zombie Dust and Gumball Head. Over the last several years, they’ve been steadily building their spirits portfolio, distilling, aging, and bottling everything in-house, often experimenting with unique grains like oats and beer malt. Their label art is as wild and unapologetic as their recipes, and when I stopped by in May 2025 to pick up their Dark Lord Straight Malt (finished in Dark Lord beer barrels phenomenal stuff), something else caught my eye: their first rye whiskey release.      While the distillery offered a 7-year version at the time, I stumbled upon this 4-year bottling on store shelves. At first, I thought I had the 7-year in my hands, only to later learn this was the younger sibling. Adding another twist, the liquid inside was sourced from MGP...

 West Fork Whsky Co. Single Barrel Double Oaked Whiskey Review.      West Fork Whiskey Company has been steadily growing its reputation out of Westfield, Indiana, distilling and aging whiskey that speaks to both craft authenticity and bold flavor. Their double oaked bourbons have always had my attention, and when the r/bourbon community announced a barrel pick near the end of 2024, I knew it was going to be something special. Not only did they select a single barrel cask strength expression, but they chose to showcase it in double oak form, a profile I’m already partial to.           West Fork continues to handle all their own distilling, aging, and bottling under their primary label, while sourcing some whiskey under their Old Hammer line. This selection is all West Fork, presented at barrel proof and untouched beyond the double oaking. While there is no listed mash bill, if memory serves me correctly, I believe this was their High Rye ...

The Indiana Whiskey Co. Flyover American Single Malt Whiskey Review.      Indiana isn’t exactly the first place people think of when it comes to American single malt, but the folks over at Indiana Whiskey Company are on a mission to change that perception. Based in South Bend, they’re quietly doing some compelling work in the craft scene, and tonight we’re diving into their Flyover Malts American Single Malt, a name born out of a chip on the shoulder, thanks to some coastal comments about the “flyover states.”            As someone who’s a fan of single malts and always rooting for Indiana rye, I figured it was time to finally see what this distillery had to offer. This is a true grain-to-glass operation, distilled, aged, and bottled entirely onsite in South Bend. It’s bottled at 48% ABV, but beyond that, the transparency stops. No age statement, no barrel size info, no details about the barley varietal. It leaves us flying blind, especi...

 West Fork Whsky Co. Alder Smoked Single Malt Whiskey Review.      The first time I tried West Fork’s Alder Smoked Single Malt was right at their tasting bar, fresh off the drive to Westfield. One sip in, and I knew it was coming home with me. I’ve got a soft spot for smoky drams—my cabinet is full of peated Scotches and West Fork has been scratching that itch ever since I first picked up their Beechwood Smoked Malt years ago. This one feels like the 2025 sequel I didn’t know I was waiting for. My wife, who’s my ride-or-die Laphroaig fan and myself being in the cult of Ardbeg heard about the release coming and knew we had to try it out.      This isn’t a “let’s play it safe” kind of whiskey. It’s 100% malted barley, smoked with Alderwood to bring a softer, sweeter kind of smoke than the heavy peat monsters overseas. At just over two years old, it’s young but makes me reserved in what to expect from the release. It’s very much a West Fork creation from ...