Neapolitan ice cream | Butterscotch | Vanilla custard | Soft oak

Crème brûlée | Chocolate malt balls | Plum | Maple sugar candy | Light malt

Rye spice | Dark chocolate | Light roasted coffee bean | Lingering light chocolate malt

Hard Truth calls their Master Distiller’s Reserve “one of our favorite things.” I can see why, as it showcases their unique mashbills in ever-increasing creative ways. Malting rye has been a boom to the rye category over the past few years as it helps soften and often increases the sip’s complexity. That is once again on display with their Master Distiller’s Reserve 2024 Blend.

The aroma opens with potent scents of Neapolitan ice cream, butterscotch, and vanilla custard that all work in equal measure and produce an incredibly compelling composition. The palate offers delicious notes of crème brûlée that are nicely offset by chocolate malt balls, plum, and maple sugar candies. The finish quickly, yet gently, ramps up the rye spice, with additional notes of dark chocolate and light roasted coffee bean. It’s here that a lingering light chocolate malt note is most apparent and works wonders.

Rye lovers don’t get to experience as many blended ryes as their bourbon-loving brethren do. Many ryes are straightforward affairs, and while some are definitely complex, few reach the territory of Hard Truth Master Distiller’s Reserve 2024 Blend. As the tasting notes convey, there are a lot of interesting aspects of this blend, and it constantly keeps you on your toes, never knowing what to expect next. It's inventive, original, and, best of all, a joy to drink, making it one of the best ryes of the year.