The Basics: 

Hard Truth Distilling Co

115.2 Proof - NCF

Blend of 2 and 3 year

$70 MSRP

Nose:

Baked apples, lemon peel, brown sugar, grape, and prunes. 

Palate: 

Lemon pith, spiced apple cider, rock sugar candy, shortbread cookies, and allspice. 

Finish:

Medium-long with white pepper and molasses. 

Final Thoughts:

For the inaugural release of Hard Truth Distilling Company’s rye whiskey, made by them in the heart of Indiana, they have created a 115.2 proof sweet mash flavor bomb. This bottle is specifically batch #1 from rackhouse #1… and I plan on telling myself that it is also bottle #1 ;) . The first thing you notice on this rye is the viscosity. I’m not sure if that comes from the sweet mash process as compared to sour mash, but there is a distinct thickness on both the nose and palate. Laced throughout are wonderful notes of lemon, rock candy, baked apples, and more, all complimented by a heavy dose of allspice that really hits you on the transition to the finish. While there are are some notes of light ethanol on the nose, the overall whiskey is rich, creamy, sweet, and spicy. A little bit of everything in this bottle makes for a fun new addition to the cask strength rye market.