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.
Ancient Ancient Age 10 Star
Ancient Ancient Age 10 Year
Barterhouse
Basil Hayden's
Buffalo Trace Single Oak #32
Buffalo Trace Single Oak #59
Buffalo Trace Single Oak #60
Buffalo Trace Single Oak #62
Bulliet
Col. E.H. Taylor Warehouse C Tornado
David Nicholson 1843 BIB
Eagle Rare
Elijah Craig 12 Year
Elmer T Lee
Elmer T Lee Commemorative
Evan Williams SB Bourbon Affair
Ezra Brooks Black Label
Four Roses Small Batch
George T. Stagg 2013
Heaven Hill Gold Label BIB
Heaven Hill White Lable BIB
Henry McKenna 10 Year BIB
Jim Beam Black 8 Year
Jim Beam Choice 5 Year
Kentucky Vintage
Maker's Mark
Maker's Mark 46
Michter's Single Barrell 10 Year
Old Bardstown Estate
Old Fitzgerald BIB
Old Forester
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon
Old Grand Dad 86
Old Weller Antique 107
Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year 2013
Spring Mill
Stagg Jr. 2013
Town Branch
Wathan's
Wild Turkey 81
Wild Turkey Tradition 14 Year
Willett
Willian Heavenhill 15 Year 2015
Woodford Reserve