The new “Indiana Rye Whiskey” designation, which was signed into law by Gov. Eric Holcomb, will help Indiana distillers stand out and earn a positive reputation, State Rep. Chris May (R) says.
Indiana is home to more than 30 distilleries, many of them making rye whiskey, which is growing in popularity.
Sales of rye whiskey across the U.S. have rebounded, with 1.4 million cases sold in 2020, according to the Distilled Spirits Council, bringing in revenue of $275 million. Sales of rye whiskey increased 1,500% between 2009 and 2020.
To commemorate the passage of the Indiana law, Hard Truth Distilling Co. is planning a big kick-off celebration July 3 at its Nashville distillery in Brown County and will introduce a new Indiana rye whiskey with what McCabe describes as a “throwback label” and bottle reminiscent of the 1800s.
“We want Indiana to be as popular for its rye whiskey as it is for basketball and racing,” he adds. “Establishing that market, both in sales and tourism, might one day put the success of our state’s distilleries on par with that of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.”
Some of the standards set in May’s legislation for labeling, marketing and selling Indiana rye whiskey include:
- Must be manufactured in Indiana;
- Made with a mash bill that is at least 51% rye;
- Fermented with sour mash or from sweet mash;
- Distilled to no more than 80% alcohol by volume;
- Aged in barrels for at least two years; and
- Bottled at no less than 40% alcohol by volume.
“Indiana is home to more than 30 distilleries now, with some producing exceptional rye whiskey that has earned national acclaim,” May said. “Establishing our own brand is an opportunity for the Hoosier state to stake its claim in a fast-growing market.”
The biggest producer of rye whiskey in the U.S. is MGP of Indiana in Lawrenceburg, on the Ohio River.
MGP operates the distillery that once was owned by Seagram’s and sells most of its spirits to Diageo, which bottles it and markets it under different brand names. MGP also produces Redemption Rye, a rye whiskey that it sells under its own label and frequently is rated one of the top rye whiskeys in the country.
