Best Distillery Tours in Indiana — From Bourbon to Craft Gin

March 14, 2026

Indiana's distillery scene has grown from a handful of pioneers into a statewide network of grain-to-glass operations producing bourbon, rye, gin, vodka, rum, and spirits you will not find anywhere else. From a 325-acre destination distillery in the Brown County hills to a certified organic operation inside a historic factory in Valparaiso, Indiana's distilleries offer tours that go well beyond a simple walk-and-taste. This guide covers the best distillery tours across the state — organized by region — with practical details on what to expect, how to book, and how to build a multi-stop spirits trail.

Southern Indiana: Bourbon Country and Beyond

Southern Indiana is where the state's distillery movement runs deepest. The rolling hills of Brown County, the college-town energy of Bloomington, and the resort heritage of French Lick create a corridor of distilleries that reward a weekend road trip.

Hard Truth Distilling Co.

Nashville, Brown County · View venue profile

Named 2024 Indiana Distillery of the Year, Hard Truth is the state's flagship destination distillery and the standard against which every other Indiana tour is measured. The 325-acre campus outside Nashville in Brown County houses a full production distillery, a restaurant, a live music amphitheater, and — uniquely — ATV adventures through wooded hills. Their sweet mash bourbon and rye whiskey have earned national recognition, but the tour itself is the draw: a thorough walk through mashing, fermentation, distillation, and barrel aging, led by guides who know the science as well as the story.

Plan to spend at least half a day here. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner, the outdoor seating overlooks the wooded property, and seasonal events — from mixology classes to barrel-pick releases — give you a reason to return. Tours should be booked in advance, especially on fall weekends when Brown County leaf traffic peaks.

Known for: Sweet mash bourbon, rye whiskey, ATV adventures, live music amphitheater

Tour tip: Book online. Weekend tours sell out, particularly during October foliage season.

Cardinal Spirits

225 N Daniels Way, Bloomington · View venue profile

Bloomington's first craft distillery sits along the beloved B-Line Trail in a space that doubles as a full restaurant and cocktail bar. Cardinal distills, ages, and bottles everything on-site — bourbon, single malt whiskey, Terra Botanical Gin, vodka, rum, and a lineup of liqueurs including their standout La Boite Amaro. The tour is hands-on and conversational, reflecting the distillery's craft-forward philosophy. You will see the stills, smell the fermenting mash, and taste spirits pulled directly from barrels at various stages of aging.

What sets Cardinal apart is the cocktail program. The bar team builds drinks that showcase the spirits in ways a straight tasting cannot. If you are visiting Bloomington for an IU game or a weekend getaway, Cardinal is a natural anchor for your evening. Their spirits are distributed in 13 states, but several releases remain distillery-exclusive.

Known for: Terra Botanical Gin, Butcher's Bourbon, craft cocktails, B-Line Trail location

Tour tip: Walk-ins are sometimes available, but calling ahead is wise on weekends.

Spirits of French Lick

8145 W Sinclair St, West Baden Springs · View venue profile

Adjacent to the established French Lick Winery, Spirits of French Lick operates as a dedicated artisan distillery producing bourbon, rye, and other small-batch spirits in the resort town that has drawn visitors since the 19th century. The tour weaves through both the winery and distillery operations, making it an ideal stop for groups with mixed preferences — wine drinkers and whiskey enthusiasts under the same roof. The Heaven's View Vineyard overlooks the White River Valley, and the Caribbean-inspired restaurant keeps you anchored for a full afternoon.

Known for: Artisan spirits, combined winery-distillery tours, scenic White River Valley setting

Tour tip: Combine with a stay at the West Baden Springs Hotel for a full resort weekend.

Huber's Starlight Distillery

19816 Huber Rd, Borden · View venue profile

The Huber family has farmed this land since 1843, and their 700-acre property near the Kentucky border is one of Indiana's most beloved agritourism destinations. The Starlight Distillery arm produces bourbon, rye whiskey, vodka, gin, and a blackberry whiskey that leans into the farm's fruit-growing heritage. Tours walk you through the distillery operation and the broader farm context — you will understand how the same land that grows the grain also shapes the spirit.

Beyond the distillery, Huber's offers a farm market, bakery, seasonal u-pick activities, and a winery. It is a full-day family destination, and one of the few places in Indiana where kids and spirits enthusiasts are equally well served. The property hosts weddings, live music, and seasonal festivals throughout the year.

Known for: Starlight Bourbon, farm-to-glass production, family-friendly agritourism

Tour tip: Pair with the winery tasting for the complete Huber's experience. Fall u-pick season is the busiest.

450 North Spirits

8111 E 450 North, Columbus · View venue profile

Part of the beloved 450 North Brewing family on the historic Simmons farm, 450 North Spirits produces handmade vodka, gin, rye whiskey, wheat whiskey, and Indiana Straight Bourbon. While they do not currently offer dedicated distillery tours, you can taste and purchase spirits in the brewery taproom — a lively space with food, outdoor seating, live music, and the relaxed energy of a working farm. It is worth a stop if you are touring Bartholomew County distilleries.

Known for: Indiana Straight Bourbon, farm-distilled spirits, destination brewery taproom

Central Indiana: Indianapolis and the Surrounding Counties

The Indianapolis metro area and surrounding counties form the densest cluster of distilleries in the state. We have a dedicated Indianapolis distillery tour guide covering the city in detail — here are the highlights and the central Indiana distilleries beyond the city limits that deserve your attention.

Hotel Tango Artisan Distillery

951 W Morris St, Indianapolis · View venue profile

The first combat-disabled, veteran-owned distillery in the United States and Indianapolis's first distillery since Prohibition. Founded by Marine veteran Travis Barnes, Hotel Tango occupies a revitalized Fletcher Place carriage house and produces a full portfolio named using the military phonetic alphabet: Bravo Bourbon, Golf Gin, Romeo Rum, Victor Vodka, and a lineup of fruit liqueurs. The production tour is polished and informative, covering everything from grain selection to barrel char levels, and the tasting room's industrial-chic atmosphere makes it a natural evening destination.

Known for: Bravo Bourbon, Golf Gin, veteran-owned heritage, canned cocktails

Tour tip: Book ahead for weekend tours. The outdoor patio is excellent in warm weather.

West Fork Whiskey Co.

10 E 191st St, Westfield · View venue profile

West Fork's 35,000-square-foot Westfield campus is one of Indiana's premier agritourism destinations, purpose-built around 100% Indiana grain-to-glass bourbon production. The facility houses The Mash House restaurant, Stave Cocktail Lounge, and a 5,000-square-foot event center. Tours take you through every step of their process — from locally sourced grain to the barrel warehouse — and end with a flight spanning their House Bourbon, Wheated Straight Bourbon, High Rye, and seasonal single-barrel picks that sell out quickly.

Known for: Indiana grain-to-glass bourbon, The Mash House restaurant, expansive patio

Tour tip: Book online. Arrive early on weekends — the patio fills up fast. Single-barrel releases drop periodically and draw crowds.

Hunt Club Distillery

3774 W State Road 47, Sheridan · View venue profile

Born from a 12-year dream, Hunt Club operates out of a Hoosier poplar barn in rural Hamilton County. This is small-batch distilling at its most authentic: locally sourced corn from within a 45-mile radius, bourbon aged in recycled Woodford Reserve and Jack Daniels barrels, and a tasting experience that feels more like visiting a neighbor's workshop than a polished tourist attraction. The tour is personal — you will likely meet the people making the spirits — and the product lineup includes whiskey, dry gin, and multiple vodka expressions including a naval strength bottling.

Known for: Small-batch whiskey, locally sourced corn, rustic barn setting

Tour tip: Call ahead to confirm tour availability. This is a smaller operation with limited staffing.

IRA Whiskey Company

488 N Concord Rd, Crawfordsville · View venue profile

A sustainability story wrapped in a bourbon operation, IRA Whiskey is backed by Weaver Popcorn and transforms unused corn into premium spirits. The Crawfordsville facility is impressive in scale: a 16,500-square-foot event center, a 30,000-square-foot aging warehouse, a speakeasy bar, and a prohibition-themed lounge. The tour reveals a production operation that most visitors do not expect to find in a small Montgomery County town, and the event center makes this one of Indiana's most compelling venues for private gatherings.

Known for: Sustainable bourbon production, grand event center, speakeasy bar

Tour tip: Book online. The event center hosts weddings and corporate events — check for public tour availability on event days.

Boone County Jail Distillery

104 W Washington St, Lebanon · View venue profile

Few distilleries in Indiana (or anywhere) can match this venue for sheer novelty. The female and veteran-owned Boone County Jail Distillery operates inside Lebanon's historic jail and sheriff's residence, with seating inside former cells and three generations of liquor industry expertise behind the spirits. The portfolio is surprisingly broad: Kinnard and Drake Bourbon, toasted bourbon, single barrel selections, vodka, gin, absinthe, moonshine, and rum. The tour doubles as a local history lesson, and the dining menu is strong enough to make this a destination in its own right.

Known for: Historic jail setting, bourbon portfolio, absinthe, veteran-owned

Tour tip: Dine in. The food pairs exceptionally well with the spirits, and eating in a former jail cell is a story worth telling.

Moon Drops Distillery

738 W Broadway St, Fortville · View venue profile

A family-owned operation in the small town of Fortville, Moon Drops produces farm-to-glass bourbon, vodka, rum, and a lineup of flavored moonshines — apple pie, lemon shake-up, orange dreamsicle, and peppermint — that are crowd-pleasers for visitors who want something approachable alongside the straight spirits. The tasting room hosts live music on weekends, and the distillery has plans for an outdoor concert stage. It is a smaller, more intimate tour experience compared to the larger central Indiana operations.

Known for: Flavored moonshines, farm-to-glass bourbon, weekend live music

Tour tip: Check social media for weekend music schedules and seasonal events.

Northern Indiana: From Valparaiso to the Lake Michigan Shore

Northern Indiana's distillery scene is anchored by two operations with national profiles and distinctive identities.

Journeyman Distillery

258 S Campbell St, Valparaiso · View venue profile

One of the few certified organic distilleries in the United States, Journeyman's Valparaiso campus occupies a historic 140,000-square-foot American Factory building — a venue as remarkable as the spirits it produces. The operation spans a full distillery, brewery, the Union Hall restaurant, a rooftop bar, a candy shop, and even karaoke. Tours take you through organic whiskey, gin, vodka, and rum production, with a particular focus on their signature Popcorn Bourbon Whiskey, inspired by local icon Orville Redenbacher.

This is a full-day destination. The restaurant is excellent, the rooftop bar offers views of the surrounding area, and the building itself — restored with care — is worth seeing even if you are not a spirits enthusiast. Families are welcome in the dining and outdoor areas.

Known for: Certified organic spirits, Popcorn Bourbon Whiskey, historic factory campus

Tour tip: Book online. Plan extra time for the restaurant and rooftop bar. The building alone is worth the drive.

Three Floyds Distilling Co.

9750 Indiana Pkwy, Munster · View venue profile

The spirits arm of the legendary Three Floyds Brewing empire, this Munster operation produces whiskey, gin, rum, and aquavit that carry forward the brand's iconic "not normal" philosophy. The distillery opened in 2019 at the Munster campus alongside the famed brewpub, and the spirits reflect the same boundary-pushing creativity that made Three Floyds a craft beer institution. If you are already making the pilgrimage for the beer, the distillery adds a compelling second act.

Known for: Creative whiskey and gin, "not normal" philosophy, legendary brewpub on-site

Tour tip: Check the Three Floyds website for current tour schedules and taproom hours.

What to Expect on an Indiana Distillery Tour

If you have never toured a craft distillery, here is what a typical visit looks like at most Indiana operations:

The Production Walk

Most tours last 30 to 60 minutes and walk you through the full production process: grain handling and milling, mashing (where starches convert to sugars), fermentation (where yeast creates alcohol), distillation (where the spirit is separated and concentrated through copper pot or column stills), and aging (where barrel char, time, and Indiana's temperature swings create flavor). Guides at Indiana distilleries tend to be knowledgeable and passionate — many are involved in production and can answer detailed questions about mash bills, yeast strains, and barrel selection.

The Tasting

Tours typically conclude with a guided tasting of three to six spirits. You will learn to nose the spirit before tasting, add a few drops of water to open up the flavors, and identify tasting notes — vanilla and caramel in bourbon, juniper and citrus in gin, stone fruit and spice in rye. Some distilleries offer barrel samples of spirits that have not yet been bottled, which is one of the genuine perks of visiting a production facility rather than buying from a liquor store shelf.

Costs and Booking

• Standard tours: $10 to $25 per person, including a tasting flight. Some distilleries waive the fee with a bottle purchase.
• Premium experiences: $50 to $100 for barrel picks, blending sessions, or extended VIP tours with the head distiller.
• Walk-in vs. reservation: Larger distilleries (Hard Truth, West Fork, Journeyman) run scheduled tours that should be booked online. Smaller operations may accommodate walk-ins but calling ahead is always wise.
• Group tours: Most distilleries can handle groups of 10 to 20 with advance notice. Private tours and buyouts are available at many venues for corporate events, bachelor parties, and special occasions.

What to Wear and Bring

• Closed-toe shoes — production floors are industrial environments with uneven surfaces.
• Skip strong cologne or perfume — it interferes with nosing spirits, for you and other guests.
• Bring a valid ID. You must be 21 to taste. Most distilleries card everyone.
• Bring a cooler for the car if you plan to buy bottles at multiple stops. Indiana summers are hard on spirits sitting in a hot trunk.

Building Your Own Indiana Distillery Trail

Indiana's distilleries are spread across the state, so a multi-stop tour requires some planning. Here are three suggested routes:

The Brown County Bourbon Weekend

Base yourself in Nashville or Bloomington and spend two days touring the southern Indiana distillery corridor. Day one: Hard Truth Distilling (full campus tour and lunch) followed by an afternoon at Cardinal Spirits in Bloomington. Day two: Spirits of French Lick with a stop at Huber's Starlight Distillery on the way back north. This route covers Indiana's deepest bourbon heritage and the most scenic distillery settings in the state.

The Central Indiana Circuit

Start at West Fork Whiskey in Westfield, then drive northwest to Hunt Club Distillery in Sheridan and Boone County Jail Distillery in Lebanon. In the afternoon, head into Indianapolis for Hotel Tango. This is a full-day route that covers four distinct distilling philosophies — from grain-to-glass bourbon to small-batch barn distilling to a historic jail conversion. See our Indianapolis distillery tour guide for additional city stops.

The Northern Indiana Run

Make Journeyman Distillery in Valparaiso your primary destination — the campus warrants at least half a day. Combine it with Three Floyds Distilling in Munster, about 40 minutes northwest, for a Chicago-area day trip that stays entirely on the Indiana side of the border.

Designated Driver and Safety

This should go without saying, but it matters enough to say plainly: arrange a sober driver before you start. Indiana's legal BAC limit is 0.08%, and a full day of tasting flights will exceed that. Options include:

• Rideshare: Uber and Lyft operate throughout the Indianapolis metro and in larger cities like Bloomington and Valparaiso. Coverage is thinner in rural areas — check availability before relying on it in Brown or Orange County.
• Shuttle services: Several Indiana transportation companies offer distillery and winery tour packages with dedicated drivers. Search for services specific to the region you are visiting.
• Designated driver: The simplest option. Most distilleries offer non-alcoholic options and full food menus, so the DD is not left sitting in a parking lot.
• Spit and pour: Professional tasters spit routinely. There is no shame in it, and it lets you evaluate far more spirits without impairment. Ask your guide for a dump cup if one is not provided.

Explore More Indiana Distilleries

This guide covers the distilleries with the strongest tour programs, but Indiana's spirits scene extends well beyond these names. For the complete list of every licensed distillery in the state — including newer operations and smaller producers — browse our full distillery directory. You can also search by county to find distilleries near any Indiana destination, or explore our southern, central, and northern region pages.

Frequently Asked Questions