Fenwicks Distillery

About the Distillery

Fenwicks Distillery is a small, family-owned craft distillery in Rensselaer, Indiana, that opened in 2023. The distillery produces small batch and single barrel releases of bourbon, rye, and wheat whiskey as well as neutral spirits such as vodka, and sells its products in the taproom attached to a Restaurant & Grill. 1816 Indiana Rye is the distillery’s flagship and has received international awards.

History

Fenwicks Distillery officially launched in 2023 as an expansion of the Fenwick family’s involvement in fine spirits and as a complement to the existing Brewery & Public House Restaurant and Grill in Rensselaer. Since opening, the distillery has introduced a range of American whiskey styles and neutral spirits. In 2024, 1816 Indiana Rye earned recognition in competitions with a Gold Medal from the American Distilling Institute and a Double Gold Medal at the SIP Awards.

Raw Materials and Production

Production is based on small batch and single barrel principles. The raw materials include rye and wheat for whiskey as well as neutral grains for vodka. Reveal Vodka is described as distilled seven times. The range also includes gin and rum in addition to the whiskey types. The focus is on craftsmanship in smaller batches rather than large-scale industrial production.

Maturation and Cask Types

Maturation includes age-stated releases such as 4- and 5-year bottles as well as cask-strength releases, released as barrel releases or single barrel. The distillery has also released a limited infusion with genuine Tahitian vanilla in 2024, where a whole vanilla bean accompanies the bottle.

Whiskeys

The collection centers on a core group of American whiskey types and neutral spirits. At the center is 1816 Indiana Rye, flanked by 5 Year Old Bourbon, 4 Year Wheat Whiskey, 5 Year Cask Strength Bourbon, and Reveal Vodka. Additionally noted are gin and rum, as well as limited special releases such as the hand-numbered Tahitian vanilla infusion of 1816 Rye.

Whiskey	Type / Series	Alcohol	Age	Cask and Style	Flavor Profile	Status
1816 Indiana Rye	Rye			Barrel (single barrel releases)	Nose: Very inviting with hints of dried nuts and red apple; bold rye spice and floral notes; slight notes of nutmeg, cinnamon and mint in the background. Taste: Caramel, vanilla, sweet cooked fruit with woodsy notes; great spikes of flavor representing the sweetness of a well aged spirit.	Current; Core range; Available in the taproom and at multiple retailers in the continental United States.
1816 Indiana Rye — Tahitian Vanilla Infused (Limited Release 2024)	Rye (infused)				Hand-numbered 2024-limited release of 1816 Indiana Rye with a real Tahitian vanilla bean in the bottle; the infusion is described as adjustable by regulating the infusion length.	Limited; Limited release; announced as "when they're gone, they're gone".
5 Year Old Bourbon	Bourbon	45 %	5 Year		5 Year Old Bourbon is listed as 90 proof / 45% alc./vol. The product text highlights vanilla, caramel and dried fruit in aroma and taste.; Nose: Vanilla, caramel, dried fruit, cream with a hint of rye spice in finish.; Taste: Caramel, vanilla, fruit, dried fruit, light candied sweetness and mild spice.	Current; Core range; Available in the taproom and at selected retailers.
4 Year Wheat Whiskey	Wheat Whiskey	45 %	4 Year		4 Year Wheat Whiskey is listed as 90 proof / 45% alc./vol. and described as creamy with prominent vanilla notes.; Nose: Cream, vanilla, balanced fruit and oak.; Taste: Cream, vanilla and well-balanced sweetness.	Current; Core range; Available in the taproom and at selected retailers.
5 Year Cask Strength Bourbon	Bourbon (Cask Strength)		5 Year	Cask strength barrel release	5 Year Cask Strength Bourbon is released as a barrel release, where the final proof is determined by the barrel.; Nose: Vanilla, caramel, dried fruit, cream with a hint of rye spice in finish.; Taste: Caramel, vanilla, fruit and mild spice; proof determined by barrel release.	Current; Released as barrel release / single barrel releases.
Reveal Vodka	Vodka				Reveal Vodka is distilled seven times from neutral grains and marketed with a focus on purity, clarity and a smooth, clean tasting experience.	Current; Core range; Available in the taproom and via online purchase where indicated.

The Whiskeys’ Style and Flavor Profile

The flavor spectrum covers vanilla and caramel, fruity notes both fresh and dried, as well as spicy rye elements. Product descriptions indicate vanilla and caramel in the bourbon and wheat expressions, dried fruit and red apple in the rye texts, and spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon in 1816 Indiana Rye.

Visiting the Distillery

Products from Fenwicks Distillery can be purchased and sampled in the taproom, which is part of the Restaurant & Grill in Rensselaer. Visitors can reach the distillery at the phone number 1-219-866-3773. The site notes that 1816 Indiana Rye is also available at several retailers in the continental United States.

Philosophy and Craft

Fenwicks Distillery states an ambition to use industry standards as a baseline and to pursue higher quality through ambition, authenticity, and craftsmanship. The company highlights a familial structure, the role of the local community in growth, and the desire to create spirits that are worth sharing and collecting.

Awards and Recognitions

Gold Medal (2024, Gold Medal, 1816 Indiana Rye)
Double Gold Medal (2024, Double Gold Medal, 1816 Indiana Rye)