Explore These Distillery Trails in Darke and Miami Counties

Darke County Whiskey, Wine & Ale Trail 

Start your Whiskey, Wine & Ale Trail adventure at the tasting room for Delaplane Vodka, Alchemy Cocktail Lounge in Greenville. Located in a beautiful historic building, the lounge serves expertly crafted cocktails like the Vanilla Hazeltini.

When you sip whiskey from Indian Creek Distillery, you’re enjoying “a true sip of history.” The distillery, located outside of New Carlisle, pays homage to America’s whiskey legacy by following the original recipe from 200 years ago and handcrafts one small batch at a time in one of the oldest operating stills in America.

The original Hayner Distilling closed in 1920 during Prohibition but was resurrected 100 years later in Troy. The distillery restarted the art of crafting award-winning bourbon and ryes right out the gate. The new labels honor the distillery’s history, featuring the original building, the owner and his beloved daughter.

The trail also features three local breweries. Tailspin Brewing Co. in Coldwater is owned by Air Force veterans who brought the classic German festive brewpub environment home. Try inventive flavors like the Pumpkin Pie Kölsch at Moeller Brew Barn in Troy, paired with their pizza or wings. At Twenty One Barrels in Bradford, opt for a hard cider fermented with 100% fresh-pressed juice sourced locally.

Want to wine a little? Sip Chardonnay with a side of history in Eaton at Olde Schoolhouse Winery, a historic building first erected in 1890. At Old Mason Winery in West Milton, try the Warming Trend, a port-style wine aged in bourbon barrels for a special finish. Each bottle of wine crafted in Arcanum by A. R. Winery features the owners’ dog, Fuel. Choose anything from dry to dessert wines at The Winery at Versailles and attend music bingo or an art class. 

Then, take a short drive downtown in Versailles and treat yourself to an artfully crafted dinner and a night’s stay at Hotel Versailles. End your evening in the cocktail lounge and try the Hotel Versailles Bourbon, a Double Gold award winner crafted specially for the hotel by Hayner Distilling.

Miami County Sweets & Spirits Trail

If you’re trying out both trails — you’re in luck! Indian Creek Distillery, Hayner Distilling, Moeller Brew Barn, Old Mason Winery and Twenty One Barrels are all featured on both, so your visit can be a two-for-one. 

Then, stop in Troy at A.M. Scott Distillery, exclusive to the Sweets & Spirits Trail, where you can try an award-winning lineup of vodka, whiskey and gin. Don’t miss the newest creation — a honey- and caramel-forward bourbon finished in a honey barrel, made in partnership with a local apiary. 

A new addition to Troy’s downtown, The Mayflower features inventive drinks made with spirits from A.M. Scott Distillery, plus a full kitchen and rooftop bar. 

The “sweets” part of the trail will satisfy any sweet tooth. You’ll find pastries and other bakery items galore at HomeTowne Bakes in West Milton, Bakehouse Bread & Cookie Company in Troy and Dobo’s Delights Bake Shoppe in Piqua. Or order a custom cake from Sweet Dreams Cake Shoppe in Troy. Then stop at one of four Winans Chocolates & Coffee locations for a caffeine boost. Mix sugar with nostalgia at Rad Candy Company in Tipp City or This & That’s Candy on Main in Piqua, or hit the $5 candy buffet at Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop in Troy.

If ice cream is melting your mind, get your favorite flavor at Susie’s Big Dipper in Piqua or Tate’s Tasty Treats in West Milton. For something unique, try rolled ice cream from Bits and Pieces in Piqua. Don’t miss trying the Quackwich at Troy’s. Ducky’s Snowballs & Ice Cream — it’s a doughnut stuffed with ice cream!

After sampling your way through the trail’s candies and libations, pick up a grab-and-go dinner at Bodega Market in Tipp City, or stay a while at Long Shots Restaurant & Driving Range in Troy, where you can nosh on pizza and practice your golf swing. Wrap up with a pint of the creative draft beers at Crooked Handle Brewing Company in Piqua. 

Proof Magazine is for Ohio spirit lovers and is produced by Great Lakes Studios. Don’t miss an issue by subscribing to Ohio Magazine. View a digital version of the Proof Magazine Summer 2024 edition here.