The What & What

Last week I had the opportunity to visit The Ball & Biscuit in Indianapolis. I loved the vibe of the place with low light and probably hundreds of oil lamps – take your significant other. What I tried and grades based on price/enjoyment ratio:

“The Hooch” - Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon, Pierre Duchene French Brandy, vanilla infused organic milk & house made simple syrup. Topped with a cinnamon sprinkle. Grade: B- ($11 - enjoyed this concoction and would order it again, but would not rush back just for it).

Old Fashion - Heaven Hill, house made grenadine, simple syrup and Regan’s orange bitters. Grade: B ($11 – this was well made and more enjoyable than “The Hooch” to me on that night).

B&B Man Mac – Sun King Brewery’s Wee Mac Scottish Ale aged in Elijah Craig and Knob Creek barrels. Grade: A (free sample – this was my favorite of the night. I loved the flavor and the fact that this bar was the only place you could get the beer. Also, fulfilled a long-time dream of buying a round – of samples – for the bar for a fair price)

Backbone Bourbon – Indiana made bourbon. Grade: C (free sip – hard to complain about the price, but had a medicinal aroma and flavor profile to me. Had a nice burn at the end and probably good for mixin’.)

Old Blowhard – “Blustery, boastful, and unapologetic, Old Blowhard Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey has been around too long to suffer fools. In the warehouses of mass-production, you might say there isn't much room for a whiskey full of flavor and big on personality. For 26 years, this well-traveled whiskey has been demanding attention, too bold to play well with others.” Grade: B ($22 – wonderful aroma, brilliant packaging, good heavily oaked flavor, but a bit thin on the mouth feel. For me the challenge with this product is the retail price at the liquor store was $155, about $50 more than I paid for a bottle of Pappy 15 this year.)

Anyway, if you find yourself in Indianapolis, I would definitely recommend swinging by. The staff was very friendly as well and provided a nice complementary cracker plate.