Hard Truth Four Grain Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon Review

Distillery: Hard Truth Distilling Co—Nashville, ID

Proof: 100.0 (50.0% ABV)

Age: Minimum of Four Years

Mashbill: 78% Corn, 9% Wheat, 9% Rye, 4% Malted Barley

MSRP: $60

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Sweet Mash — Missed Opportunity

Hard Truth Distilling Co. may be nestled in the quiet rolling hills of Nashville, Indiana—but its ambitions are anything but quiet.  Founded in 2015, the distillery has grown from a local craft operation into a serious player in American whiskey.

Their Four Grain Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon is distilled and aged entirely on-site and made with a mashbill of 78% corn, 9% wheat, 9% rye, and 4% malted barley, then aged for five years.  As a bottled-in-bond release, it follows the full requirements of the 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Act—single season, single distillery, at 100 proof.

While sour mash fermentation is the industry standard, sweet mash means each fermentation starts fresh, without using backset from a previous run. This requires more care and consistency in the process, but it can yield a brighter, cleaner flavor profile—something you’ll find in every pour of this expression.

Hard Truth Four Grain Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon Review: Tasting Notes

Nose – 4/5

The Nose leans nutty and rustic, with roasted pecan and almond shell taking the lead. Notes of milk chocolate and wildflower meadow develop—it’s more earthy, less inviting.

Palate – 3.8/5

On the Palate, a wave of chocolate-covered cinnamon stick builds early, followed by hints of toasted cereal grain and dark honey. There’s quiet citrus and spice—more than enough to keep it from feeling overly soft. The 100-proof strength gives it structure, though the flavor arc is a touch narrow.

Finish – 3.5/5

The Finish lands hot and dry. Black pepper dominates early, joined by a flash of citrus peel and a streak of menthol. It’s more assertive than elegant, with lingering heat that overpowers some of the finer nuances you might expect from the softer four-grain mash.

Value – 3.9/5

At $60, this release delivers a respectable price-to-quality ratio, especially for a bottled-in-bond bourbon made entirely in-house. While it doesn’t quite outclass others in the $50–$70 category, it stands on its own with its commitment to sweet mash production and a five-year age statement that gives it genuine maturity.

For seasoned enthusiasts seeking the prototypical Hard Truth profile—depth, full flavor and complexity, this one does not rise to the occasion. That said, it still stands as a commendable effort from a growing distillery—and there’s potential here that may be realized in future releases.

Hard Truth Four Grain Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon Review: The Verdict

Doesn’t quite bring it all together in the glass. While the mouthfeel is solid and the oak structure is present, the flavors are muted by the proof, and the Finish leaves something to be desired.

For seasoned enthusiasts seeking the prototypical Hard Truth profile—depth, full flavor and complexity, this one does not rise to the occasion. That said, it still stands as a commendable effort from a growing distillery—and there’s potential here that may be realized in future releases.

Verdict – 3.8/5

We score each bourbon based on nose, palate, finish, and value.

Scoring System:

• Platinum – 4.5 – 5
• Gold – 4 – 4.5
• Silver – 3 – 4
• Bronze – <3