Varsity Liquors

Came here for whiskey, so this review is focused around that. I was visiting from Texas and wanted some good stuff that I couldn’t get back home. All in all, they have an excellent selection, but most was recognizable from Texas liquor stores — at least ones with good selection. I will say it was an excellent selection — very, very good, especially for a mom-​n-​pop, non-​chain store. I just recognized and knew most. But they do carry some stuff from the north and areas I wasn’t familiar with. Success!
Upon recommendation from the owner, who was the most knowledgeable whiskey person I talked to, I bought a Journeyman rye. No age statement and not a bourbon, so I was dubious. But she spoke highly of it. It was from Southern Michigan and had a price tag of $ 47. I could stomach that, for a good micro. So I went against my gut and trusted her. (No age statement usually means young, non-​complex hot whiskey in my experience.) And it paid off! Very pleasantly surprised by this excellent, very drinkable whiskey. A good recommendation is worth a lot to me, so that scored big. I’ll try to get my whiskey guy in Texas to get some Journeyman for sure.
Only reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is they need some more whiskey go-​to folks on staff. The other guys I talked to were great — wonderful people, nice to talk to, great staff — but their knowledge of whiskey was pretty limited. A place this size with so much good whiskey on hand needs a go-​to whiskey person around at all times. Otherwise and all in all, excellent experience. Great store.

Great staff, great selection. They carry some local Indiana brands that are harder to find too.

Nice store. Great bourbon selection-​especially some esoteric brands. Very helpful staff.