The Indiana Whiskey Company opened its doors in 2017 in a converted warehouse space on South Bend’s west side, bringing craft bourbon production back to a city that hadn’t seen a legal distillery since Prohibition. Founded by Joe Koenig, a former pharmaceutical executive who traded his corporate career for copper stills, the operation started as a passion project that grew into a legitimate craft spirits business. The 6,000-square-foot facility houses a custom-built 500-gallon copper still from Vendome Copper & Brass Works, the same company that supplies equipment to Kentucky’s legendary distilleries. They focus primarily on bourbon and rye whiskey, with some experimental batches that showcase Koenig’s willingness to push traditional boundaries. The distillery sits in an industrial area that’s seen better days, but inside, the space feels purposeful and unpretentious—exposed brick walls, concrete floors, and the sweet smell of corn mash fermenting in open-top tanks. Koenig handles much of the production himself, from milling grain to monitoring fermentation, creating spirits that reflect both his methodical pharmaceutical background and his appreciation for traditional bourbon-making techniques. The operation remains deliberately small-scale, producing around 1,000 bottles per month, which means their whiskey often sells out quickly among local enthusiasts who’ve discovered this hidden gem in South Bend’s industrial landscape.