Founded in 2014 in the Indianapolis area, West Fork Whiskey Co. has steadily grown into a presence in the Indiana spirits scene. Today, the distillery operates out of a modern facility in Westfield, just north of Indianapolis, which houses their distilling operations, a full-service restaurant, and an event space.

Like many up-and-coming craft distilleries, West Fork initially sourced its whiskey while its own distillate aged. Their Old Hamer line—featuring the underappreciated MGP mashbill of 99% corn and 1% malted barley—quickly became a cornerstone of their offerings. Even after their own distillate began hitting the market, Old Hamer has remained a core part of the distillery’s identity.

The in-house whiskey is released under the more minimalist West Fork Whiskey Co. label. In the early days, however, their house-made releases were rough around the edges. I know this firsthand—I’ve got a good friend who lives about 15 minutes from the distillery, and over the years I had the chance to sample several of their young, early expressions. Back then, West Fork was aging whiskey in 30-gallon barrels and releasing it at a very young age, a common strategy for new distilleries eager to generate revenue. Unsurprisingly, those small barrels and short maturation times didn’t yield the best results.

When I visited West Fork in the summer of 2023, I left underwhelmed and, frankly, ready to write them off.

But then, in 2025, West Fork Whiskey reached out and invited me back. Curious, I made the trip to Westfield in March and spent the afternoon with co-founder Blake Jones. One of the first things he did? Pour me a glass of their Distiller’s Collection Double Oaked Bourbon. From the first sip, it was clear: something had changed—dramatically.

Blake didn’t sugarcoat it. He openly admitted that the early releases weren’t great and shared how the team made deliberate changes to improve. They transitioned to 53-gallon barrels and began allowing their whiskey to mature longer. The results? A significant leap in quality.

West Fork isn’t hiding from its past. Instead, they’re owning it—and showing what growth, humility, and a commitment to craft can achieve. So, did the changes pay off? Is West Fork Whiskey Co. now an Indiana distillery worth paying attention to? Let’s dig in.

West Fork Whiskey Wheated Bottled in Bond Straight Bourbon Review

Batch BIBWB001, released in August 2024, stands out with a remarkably unconventional mash bill: 73% corn, 17% wheat, and 10% rye—completely omitting malted barley. This is a rare departure from tradition, as most American whiskeys include at least a small percentage of malted barley to aid fermentation with its natural enzymatic properties.

All grains for this batch were sourced from Sugar Creek Malt Company in Boone County, Indiana, emphasizing local provenance and quality. Fermentation follows a 7-day hybrid sour mash process, driven by a unique yeast strain selected specifically to highlight floral and citrus notes in the final spirit. The bourbon was aged in 53-gallon barrels from Speyside Cooperage, each with a classic #4 char. The distillate comes off West Fork’s hybrid still at around 130 proof, entering the barrel at a carefully controlled range of 115–120 proof.

The bouquet opens with inviting notes of warm, German-roasted almonds and a touch of pungent cedarwood. As the bourbon has a chance to breathe, the aroma evolves into a swirl of fresh cinnamon rolls and deeply ripened plums. While not unpleasant, there’s a distinct “craft-forward” character that seasoned whiskey drinkers will recognize—suggesting a spirit still coming into its own.

On the palate, it begins with a sharp burst of black pepper and brisk black tea, both of which dissipate almost as quickly as they arrive. Once that initial bite fades, you’re greeted with the warmth of cinnamon rolls drizzled in orange glaze, accented by a hint of nutmeg. The mouthfeel is notably thick, lending a rich texture that helps balance the earlier astringency. Despite that early edge, the core flavors are genuinely enjoyable. The finish carries on with white pepper, toasted almonds, and a tenacious streak of spicy cinnamon that lingers long after the sip.

West Fork’s Wheated Bottled in Bond Bourbon is a promising pour. It still carries some of that youthful, “craft” personality, but it’s a major step forward from earlier releases. With another year or two in the barrel, this could be something truly special. The progress here is clear—and impressive. I’m looking forward to revisiting this with 5 or 6 years of age, when it’s had a little more time to reach its full potential. 100 proof. B / $45

West Fork Distiller’s Collection Double Oaked Bourbon Review

This release is a single-barrel selection, showcasing a promising 6.5 years of aging. Chosen by The West Fork Whiskey Club and Jay West, known online as T8KE, this barrel embodies a proprietary blend of mashbills. The whiskey was initially aged and finished in 53-gallon barrels with a #3 char, beginning its journey on July 12, 2018. Bottled without chill-filtration at a robust 126.98 proof, let’s see what this whiskey has to offer!

The nose kicks off with a rich burst of homemade cherry pie—think ripe black cherries at peak season, with none of that syrupy canned shortcut. A buttery crust wraps around the fruit, offering a savory contrast to the restrained sweetness. Bold vanilla extract follows, meshing with notes of brown sugar and a touch of charred orange peel. Unlike its younger counterpart, the Wheated Bottled in Bond Bourbon, there’s no trace of youthful harshness or that telltale “craft” edge.

On the palate, it hits with burnt caramel and a flash of Tang orange drink from childhood. The secondary cask makes its presence known through roasted almonds, dark plums, and a generous—but well-balanced—oak influence. The mouthfeel is luxuriously dense, with flavor lingering and expanding across the palate. Echoing the nose, there’s none of that underdeveloped character; 6.5 years in oak have given this whiskey real structure and confidence.

The finish kicks off with a burst of orange soda—brighter and more effervescent than the Tang—and gradually transitions to a warm medley of cinnamon and nutmeg, courtesy of the secondary cask, before gracefully tapering off.

There’s very little to critique here. The transformation from what I tasted two or three years ago is genuinely impressive. Although this release benefits from a second charred barrel, it’s the extra time resting in oak that really shines. It also sets the stage for what the Wheated Bottled in Bond could become at the 6-year mark.

Bold yet well-integrated, this bourbon walks a fine line between citrus brightness and deep oak character. For a $60 bottle from a craft distillery, it’s one of the most satisfying purchases I’ve made. MGP may still rule Indiana, but if this release is any indication of West Fork’s future, Indiana whiskey is about to get a whole lot more exciting. 126.98 proof. A / $60 

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