Baking chocolate | Malted barley | White grape | Cassia cinnamon powder | Tree bark | Earthy | Light overall

Nutmeg | Cinnamon syrup | Baking spice | Light peppermint candy | Faint toasted oak | White peppercorn spice | Subtle sweetness

Light oak | Cinnamon spice | Cinnamon stick | Faint cedar | Short

Hard Truth Distilling Co. started out distilling their own rye whiskeys, which is unusual in the industry as bourbon is typically the go-to as a distillery gets off the ground. Earlier this year, Hard Truth announced their foray into the world of bourbon with a portfolio that includes three bourbons: Hard Truth Sweet Mash Bourbon, Wheated Bourbon, and Four Grain Bourbon. As with their rye production, Hard Truth states, “Most of the wheat and all of the corn used to produce bourbon at Hard Truth is grown by Doug Miller, a local, fifth-generation Indiana farmer located just 60 miles from the distillery. A majority of the rye is also from Indiana, grown in the southwestern part of the state by farmer Dr. Duane Kuhlenschmidt.” This release of Four Grain Bottled in Bond Bourbon comes from a batch size of 28 barrels. It was distilled in the spring of 2019 and bottled in the spring of 2024.

The use of four different grains is immediately noticeable right from the beginning of the sip. Opening with earthy scents of tree bark, malted barley, and cassia cinnamon powder, the bourbon pulls in sweeter notes of white grape and baking chocolate to add intrigue. The palate continues this same zone of flavors with nutmeg and toasted oak combining with a subtle sweetness provided by cinnamon syrup and light peppermint candy. The finish is the weakest part, providing a short burst of cinnamon and wood influence before quickly fading away. Overall this is an interesting four grain whiskey from Hard Truth. While the finish was lacking, the overall flavor composition was interesting, bringing together an array of flavors which results in a pleasing sip.