Hard Truth French Oak Harvest Rye Whiskey Review

Distillery: Hard Truth Distilling Company – Nashville, Indiana

Proof: 104 (52% ABV))

Age: Three+ years

Mashbill: 72% Rye 28% Corn

MSRP: $70

Website: https://hardtruth.com/

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Who They Are

Situated almost equidistant between Indianapolis and Louisville is Nashville, Indiana — home of HardTruth Distilling Company. In only seven years, Hard Truth Distilling Company went from operating in space about the size of a residential garage to a sprawling 325-acre property that houses a distillery producing multiple award-winning expressions, an event venue and a restaurant. The property once known to locals as “Firecracker Hill” is now known as “Hard Truth Hills.”

Sweet Mash Whiskey

Use any search engine and you are likely to find Hard Truth Distilling as the first hit for sweet mash whiskey from among about a half-dozen distilleries. The term “sweet mash” refers to the process of using fresh ingredients for each fermentation batch, rather than reusing a portion of a previous batch (sour mash). Pitch the question of which is the better, sweet or sour mash, to a group of distillers, and you will get good arguments both ways. Regardless, Hard Truth feels that its use of sweet mash is a testament to their dedication to craftsmanship.

Growth and Expansion

Growing from their humble beginnings to a full 24/7 operational distillery with three rickhouses capable of aging 20,000 barrels, Hard Truth has experienced significant growth and is positioned for even more. The distillery’s commitment to the sweet mash process is evident in its offerings including the subject of this review, Hard Truth French Oak Harvest Rye Whiskey, their new release in a line of limited edition collector’s series in collaboration with Mellencamp Whiskey.

If you give Hard Truth French Oak Harvest Rye Whiskey a try, have questions or want to suggest an expression for a future review, please drop me a note. I would love to hear from you at mike@bourboninspector.com

Hard Truth French Oak Harvest Rye Whiskey Review: Tasting Notes

Nose – 4.5/5

Immediately, the Nose is rich, drawing you in with a level of unexpected complexity that reveals notes of doughiness and marshmallow, rye and a hint of vanilla. In deeper you will find subtle notes of caramel and honey emerge, adding sweetness to the richness. The goodness of the Nose makes it very difficult to not dive in.

Palate – 4.5/5

On the Palate you will find a powerful and satisfying
experience. The initial sip reveals a sweet and fruity profile.
As the whiskey coats your mouth, notes of cracked black
pepper and vanilla come forward, adding a deeply pleasant
spicy dimension. The natural spiciness of the rye is
complemented very well by the smoothness contributed from the French oak barrels.

Finish – 4/5

The Finish, with notes of citrus and pepper linger pleasantly on the palate. As the initial spice fades, deeper flavors of oak and cherry emerge, providing a rich and warming aftertaste. The black pepper finish adds a final kick making for a significant and lasting impression.

Value – 4.75/5

The unique aging process in French oak barrels creates a distinctive flavor profile that sets this whiskey apart from others. At an $70 MSRP, combined with the superb Nose and Palate, Hard Truth French Oak Harvest Rye Whiskey offers a wonderful value for seasoned rye whiskey enthusiasts. For NOOBS, this may very well be your gateway to rye whiskeys.

Hard Truth French Oak Harvest Rye Whiskey: The Verdict

Verdict – 4.5/5

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