From Grain to Glass: Raising the Bar on Hoosier Distilleries

Here in the Heartland, where good times are always on tap, Indiana distilleries are hoping to draw the spotlight by improving their distillation process. But how can modern innovation expect to refine a millennia-old method?

Take the Huse Culinary restaurant group, for example. Overseeing swanky dining spots like Harry & Izzy’s and St. Elmo Steak House demands cocktail menus that are a cut above the rest. Spirits are their top-selling bar item. For a more exciting flavor profile, they have to step up their distillation game.

When it comes to certain spirits, you might as well be sipping on nail polish remover, but never fear. Through a patented pressure filtration process, Huse is able to muffle the pesky esters that provoke those obnoxious impurity notes. Their latest concoction, Barkeep Vodka, relies on this process to produce a finish so smooth it waltzes across the palate.

“We can adjust the pressure to hit the notes that affect the finish,” says Craig Huse, co-owner of Huse Culinary. “We’ve released Barkeep Vodka at 86 proof, which is higher than the standard 80 proof, and one of the reasons we did that is to shine a light on how clean and smooth it can be.”

Now imagine the taste of a spirit where innovation starts with the fundamentals. Julian Jones, co-owner and head distiller of West Fork Whiskey Co., credits their whiskey’s robust flavor to sourcing 100% of their grain from Hoosier farmers.

“My supplier now grows a number of grains that have been genetically engineered specifically for spirits/whiskey production. The combination of climate and soil, along with some of the world’s finest farmers, makes our grain perfect for crafting the best spirits in the world,” Jones says.

But it’s not just about the grain. West Fork knows the distillation devil is in the details. Through frontline non-chill filtering and precise wireless temperature monitoring, West Fork delivers the gold standard in body and flavor. So, next time you raise a glass, remember: Indiana distilleries are raising the bar, one sumptuous sip at a time.