Brown County-based Hard Truth Distillery is giving Kentucky bourbon and Tennessee whiskey a run for their money.
Spanning 325 scenic acres, Indiana’s largest destination distillery elevates the concept of bourbon tourism with a variety of tours and tasting options, an on-site restaurant, an outdoor stage for live music, ATV excursions, and accommodations to rent for overnight stays on the property.
Adding to an expansive product portfolio, Hard Truth recently released a new limited-edition trio of the distillery’s first seven-year-aged whiskeys—Straight Bourbon, Wheated Bourbon, and Sweet Mash Rye. A launch party on Feb. 28 introduced the new juice to the public with limited allocation rolling out to select retailers shortly after.
"If you've been following our story here at Hard Truth, you will understand how important a seven-year age statement is for an authentic grain-to-glass whiskey maker," said Bryan Smith, Hard Truth’s master distiller. "Our sweet mash process creates a delicious whiskey at younger ages, but after seven winters and summers, these whiskeys have been transformed into something truly special.”
All deeply rooted in Indiana character and culture, the three new whiskeys vary widely by flavor and personality. I recently enjoyed an opportunity to sample the wares, and these were my impressions.
As the name suggests, the Straight Bourbon delivers a creamy caramel punch at first taste with apple, honey, and graham cracker flavors coming forward the more you sip. The higher-proof Wheated Bourbon still drinks smooth, offering up notes of cinnamon, baked bread, pear, and Cracker Jack. Hard Truth’s distinctive sweet mash process pays off handsomely with the rye, a stunner with hints of clove, baking spices, maple, and cherry Danish.
Taste them for yourself and see if you agree! If whiskey’s not your thing, Hard Truth also produces a number of other premium spirits, including a Toasted Coconut Rum and Cinnamon Vodka. The distillery’s products are available for sale in more than 20 states and online in more than 40 states through ReserveBar. For more information, visit hardtruth.com.
