Seared orange peel | Dried apricot | Allspice | Toasted cinnamon | Ground vanilla

Graham cracker | Sandalwood | Toasted cinnamon | Dried fig | Apricot | Maple syrup

Maple wood | Stewed peach | Brûléed sugar | Black pepper | Touch of star anise & seared mint

Hard Truth Distilling Co. was founded in 2015 by a group that originally operated Big Woods Brewing. They began by experimenting with distilling spirits before deciding to open a dedicated distillery. Construction of its distillery began in 2017, and a year later, they were producing and aging their own whiskey on-site. They focused heavily on the less common sweet mash process rather than traditional sour mash, and they prominently feature “Sweet Mash” in the names of many of their whiskeys. Their experimental roots have never faded, as they were among the first distilleries that offered an ongoing malted rye product, and a number of their whiskeys also feature chocolate malt in their mashbill.

Their first major whiskey milestone for the company came in 2021 with the release of Sweet Mash Rye. The release of Hard Truth 7 Year Sweet Mash Rye marks another. They now feature a 7 year age statement on three ongoing products (rye, bourbon, and wheated bourbon). Having tasted their whiskeys since their initial release, it's safe to say they've become increasingly interesting - and nowhere is that clearer than in the rye the company started with.

Hard Truth 7 Year Sweet Mash Rye’s aroma, like the rest of its sip, is anything but traditional. An aroma of seared orange peel opens the whiskey with dried apricot, allspice, toasted cinnamon, and ground vanilla, giving the rye a very autumn-like sensation. The palate layers graham cracker, sandalwood, toasted cinnamon, dried fig, apricot, and maple syrup in equal measure, resulting in a unique overall flavor profile. The finish features maple wood, stewed peaches, and brûléed sugar, before transitioning to black pepper, a touch of star anise, and seared mint.

The first sip of Hard Truth 7 Year Sweet Mash Rye may throw you off. It’s not unusual, but more offbeat than expected. That is typical for Hard Truth. Though sometimes thought to be sourced from MGP because of their Indiana location, Hard Truth’s flavor profile shares little in common with the popular distillery known for sourcing its whiskey, especially their rye. That has served them well, as age and distinction have proven to be on their side, as their Hard Truth 7 Year Sweet Mash Rye continually gets better and better. Hard Truth 7 Year Sweet Mash Rye is unique tasting and thoroughly enjoyable, especially for fans of rye.