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The Ultimate Guide to the 5 Best Distilleries in Indianapolis

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Sensory Profile: We evaluated the flavor depth and aroma notes of the spirits poured at each location. Our focus remained on small-batch craftsmanship and distinctive tasting characteristics.

Atmosphere and Venue: A great drink requires the right setting to truly shine. We assessed the ambiance, seating layouts, and overall comfort of the tasting rooms.

Service Quality: Bartenders and tour guides significantly impact the overall enjoyment of the visit. We noted how attentive, knowledgeable, and welcoming the staff were during busy shifts.

Unique Offerings: We looked for distinctive menus and interactive classes that stand out. Venues offering something unusual, like hands-on distilling, scored higher on our list.

There is something special about enjoying a locally crafted spirit when you know it was made close to home. Indianapolis has a growing craft distilling scene, offering everything from bold ryes to smooth botanical gins with real attention to detail.

Exploring the best distilleries in Indianapolis means stepping into spaces where small-batch production, copper stills, and creative cocktail programs come together. It’s an easy way to experience the city’s growing food and drink culture.

Many visitors also pair a distillery stop with a night out at a fine dining restaurant or a curated tasting experience to round out the evening.

To help you get started, we have highlighted some of the top distilleries in Indianapolis worth adding to your list.

How much do distillery experiences cost in Indianapolis?

Distillery tours and tasting flights in Indianapolis typically cost $30 per person, though specialized packages can run significantly higher.

Experience TypeAverage Cost
Standard Tour and Tasting$30 per person
Large Group/Specialized Add-ons$125 per person

1. 8th Day Distillery – Bottle Shop & Cocktail Bar

8th-day-distillery-bottle-shop-cocktail-bar-logo

Website: https://www.8thdaydistillery.com/

Address: 1125 E Brookside Ave Suite d06, Indianapolis, IN 46202

Contact: 317-600-3791

Hours: Thu: 4:00–9:00 PM; Fri: 4:00–11:00 PM; Sat: 2:00–11:00 PM; Sun: 3:00–8:00 PM; Mon: 4:00–9:00 PM 

8th Day Distillery greets you immediately with the rich aroma of fermenting mash and roasted botanicals, which sets a strong tone for its craft-focused identity. 

The space follows an “Honestly Local” approach. They source ingredients from nearby farms and local coffee roasters to shape its small-batch spirits.

During my last visit, I tried their coffee liqueur, and the robust bean flavor was undeniably vivid. 

Beyond the stills, the space operates as a combined bottle shop and cocktail bar with a rotating seasonal menu. It’s an experience-driven destination where you can sip creative mocktails or complex absinthe pours while enjoying local artist showcases. 

However, securing a round of drinks can sometimes test your patience. The service tends to be inconsistent, with some staff appearing overwhelmed or less attentive during peak hours.

Pros

  • Combined distillery and cocktail bar venue
  • Heavy focus on locally sourced ingredients
  • Rotating seasonal beverage menu
  • Inclusive non-alcoholic options available

Cons

  • Inconsistent customer service
  • Pricey drinks

The staff was very friendly

I enjoyed a couple of cocktails here one night while I was in Indianapolis.  It’s well worth a try, and I found their cocktails to be delicious and creative.  The staff was very friendly, and the atmosphere was comfortable and cozy.  Seeing as it was just before Christmas they had a number of holiday-themed cocktails.  The drink they named “Star Trek: Generations Is A Christmas Movie” was great.  I’d definitely recommend this distillery for a cocktail or two, and you shouldn’t be disappointed.

Mateo Gebon, Google Review 

Beautiful and delicious! 

What a great place to hang out inside with your dog while drinking some amazing cocktails!  8th Day Distillery has a great space with multiple seating options for large to small groups.  We were able to snatch a couch by the doors which were open since the weather was so nice.  They offer a rotating menu of specialty cocktails which also included Mock-tails.  We enjoyed their Ice Spice, Dirty Banana and their Sweet Heart.  All were SO beautiful and delicious!  Our pup was offered water and lots of love.  Please check them out with your dog!

Tricia “The Traveling Bearded Dog” Anthony, Google Review 

2. Four Finger Distillery

four-finger-distillery-logo

Website: https://fourfingerdistillery.com/

Address: 630 Virginia Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46203

Contact: 317-974-9862

Hours: Tue: 4:00–10:00 PM; Wed: 4:00–10:00 PM; Thu: 4:00–10:00 PM; Fri: 12:00–11:00 PM; Sat: 12:00–11:00 PM; Sun: 12:00–6:00 PM 

Four Finger Distillery turns a night out into a hands-on experience, especially if you take part in crafting your own barrel of whiskey alongside a head distiller. 

That kind of grain-to-glass involvement makes it feel more like a workshop than a typical tasting room.

The brand produces bold, Indiana-made rye and peated bourbon in small batches. Their downtown location also pairs these robust spirits with wood-fired pies from Pi Indy, creating a fantastic social hub. 

Weekly trivia nights and live music also keep the tasting room buzzing with energy long after the dinner rush fades. 

Planning a traditional walkthrough of the production floor proves difficult, however. Standard distillery tours are not frequently available, and service delays often occur even when the crowd seems surprisingly thin.

Pros

  • Unique barrel-making experience
  • Multiple tasting room locations
  • On-site food partnerships
  • Wide selection of small-batch spirits

Cons

  • Limited availability for facility tours
  • Noticeable delays in drink service

Enjoy great beverages in a homey and inviting distillery

Looking for a unique spot to sip in Indianapolis? Make sure to stop by Four Fingers Distillery! Once called 1205, this distillery was renamed to Four Fingers after the owner accidentally cut off one of his fingers while installing a new front door! You can expect to enjoy great beverages in a homey and inviting distillery. This spot also has a glass wall so you can see the distilling process occur in house. There are a couple Four Fingers locations in Indiana that you should add to your Indiana bucket list!

Through Bec Specs Travel Blogger, Google Review 

Their drinks are amazing. 

To start off, I normally don’t drink cocktails. I like beer and wine, but generally stay away from liquor. 1205 Distillery has me contemplating if I have been doing it all wrong… Their drinks are amazing. Specifically, I tried the Hamilton County Smash and the Giggle Waters? (their version of a Moscow Mule), and both were wayyyy too good. We already have plans to go back a week later! Simply put, go here and you will not regret it.

Jake Sciaudone, Google Review

3. Hotel Tango at Fletcher Place

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Website: https://fletcherplace.co/

Address: 702 Virginia Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46203

Contact: 317-653-1806 Ext 2

Hours: Tue: 4:00–10:00 PM; Wed: 4:00–10:00 PM; Thu: 4:00–10:00 PM; Fri: 2:00–11:00 PM; Sat: 1:00–11:00 PM; Sun: 2:00–8:00 PM

Hotel Tango carries a distinct identity as the nation’s first combat-disabled, veteran-owned distillery, which shapes its mission-driven approach. 

Its revitalized historic building in Fletcher Place feels more like a stylish, eclectic living room than a traditional distillery space. 

Every cocktail slid across the bar features their in-house-distilled spirits, ensuring tight quality control over flavor profiles. The seasonal drink program constantly rotates, highlighting proprietary bitters and syrups that elevate their classic bourbon pours. 

They even collaborate with a local brewing company to pour craft beer for those wanting a lighter sip. 

Unfortunately, the tasting room recently discontinued its food service. Returning visitors may find this shift significant, since it changes the overall balance between dining and drinking compared to the venue’s earlier setup. 

Pros

  • Distinctive veteran-owned brand identity
  • Highly accessible downtown location
  • Cocktails use exclusively proprietary spirits
  • Offers interactive mixology classes

Cons

  • Discontinuation of on-site food service
  • Experience differs from past visits

Awesome atmosphere to chill

Artisan distillery in downtown Indianapolis with funky, fun cocktails and multiple cool, different whiskeys and liquors. Awesome atmosphere to chill and have a few cocktails with friends or try a whiskey flight with some bar bites. Tons of different cocktail options sure to please anyone’s taste. My husband and I tried several different cocktails and none of them disappointed! Definitely recommended giving this funky little distillery a try!

Alexandra Featherston, Google Review 

Cocktail selection is impressive

Hotel Tango Distillery is a fantastic spot with a cozy and welcoming atmosphere that makes it perfect for a relaxed night out. The cocktail selection is impressive, offering a wide variety of creative and well-crafted drinks to suit any taste. The place has a warm, inviting vibe that makes you want to stay and try more. Whether you’re going with friends or just looking for a chill evening, it’s a great choice for quality cocktails in a laid-back setting.

Julien Roux, Google Review 

4. West Fork Whiskey Co. – Westfield

west-fork-whiskey-co-westfield-logo

Website: https://www.westforkwhiskey.com/

Address: 10 E 191st St, Westfield, IN 46074

Contact: 317 763 5400 / [email protected]

Hours: Tue: 11:00 AM–9:00 PM; Wed: 11:00 AM–9:00 PM; Thu: 11:00 AM–9:00 PM; Fri: 11:00 AM–10:00 PM; Sat: 11:00 AM–10:00 PM; Sun: 11:00 AM–8:00 PM; Mon: Closed

Sprawling across a massive footprint, West Fork Whiskey Co. – Westfield redefines what a centralized beverage destination looks like.

They focus heavily on a grain-to-glass philosophy, producing award-winning Indiana whiskey strictly from locally sourced crops. 

When we attended one of their barrel-thieving experiences, tasting the high-rye bourbon straight from the wood was an absolute revelation. 

The venue seamlessly blends an active production floor with a full-service restaurant and a speakeasy-style lounge. Guests can easily spend an entire afternoon eating Midwest comfort food and taking dedicated whiskey education classes. 

Communication outside the tasting room leaves much to be desired, though. Customers frequently report unanswered emails regarding private events, and online bottle orders occasionally arrive with missing items.

Pros

  • Massive destination facility with restaurant
  • Interactive barrel-thieving educational tours
  • Exclusive membership club access
  • Award-winning bourbon portfolio

Cons

  • Unreliable online order accuracy
  • Slow responses to customer inquiries

A fun place and the whisky and drinks top notch

We scheduled a tour for 19 people on a Sunday and the staff was so accommodating!  Terry our tour guide was fantastic!  She knew all the details of the history of whisky and about the distillery.  After we had a reservation for lunch and the food was fantastic.  The hot honey chicken was delicious. The hospitality here is awesome, the bar a fun place and the whisky and drinks top notch.

Jenny B, Google Review 

Unique and the food was excellent

Very fun place. Nice atmosphere, kid friendly, excellent service and food. Whiskey is ok. Not blown away but pretty good. Good cocktail menu. Menu is unique and the food was excellent. Cocktails were good. They have a dining room, cocktail lounge (21 and up), a fun outdoor area and then the distillery and tasting room. Just an FYI they only serve their own whiskey, Sun King beer and some wine. We will definitely go back.

Matt Lamb, Google Review

5. Moon Drops Distillery

moon-drops-distillery-logo

Website: https://moondropsdistillery.com/

Address: 738 W Broadway, Fortville, IN 46040

Contact: 317-482-9392

Hours: Tue-Thu 11 AM-7 PM; Fri-Sat 11 AM-11 PM

Nostalgic flavors define this Fortville venue, which moves away from traditional heavy bourbons in favor of ready-to-drink flavored moonshines blended with rum.

The result is a lineup of approachable, porch-sipping spirits that feel more casual and easygoing than standard whiskey offerings. 

The brand also emphasizes local agriculture by sourcing Indiana grains and repurposing spent mash to feed livestock, which adds a practical sustainability angle to its production process.

Their tasting room leans into a lively, bonfire-style atmosphere complete with live music and outdoor gatherings. 

Being an official partner of the Indianapolis Colts also adds a fun layer of local pride to their product line. 

That said, the hospitality can sometimes feel surprisingly detached despite the warm branding. Staff members occasionally appear disengaged when taking orders, resulting in unexpectedly long wait times for simple poured drinks.

Pros

  • Specializes in flavored, ready-to-drink moonshine
  • Strong focus on sustainable production
  • Lively tasting room with entertainment
  • Official partner of local sports teams

Cons

  • Staff can appear disengaged
  • Long wait times for beverages

Enjoyed tasting different bourbons

I went to Moon Drops Distillery for an event for my husband’s employer. It was very fun and they have a great atmosphere. I ordered a few cocktails and he enjoyed tasting different bourbons. After I had enough cocktails (I needed to drive home), I switched to drinking Shirley Temples. The bartender was incredibly kind and gave me my last one for free. She said she was happy to see I was being responsible. I can’t wait to go back soon!

Emily Dunn, Google Review 

It didn’t disappoint

What a wonderful experience! My first ever distillery tour and it didn’t disappoint. Special thanks to Michael for a great tour and to Rachel for wonderful drinks! Excited to bring back some of the goodness to WI. Will definitely be back!

Jennifer S, Google Review