Hard Truth Farmer's Reserve French Oak Rye Whiskey Review.

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Hard Truth Farmer's Reserve French Oak Rye Whiskey Review.

    I received this spirit as a review sample from Hard Truth Distilling, linked here. It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.


    Hard Truth Distilling has been carving out a serious name for itself in the Indiana whiskey scene. Based in southern Indiana, they’ve been a driving force behind the Indiana Rye classification, highlighting just how important the state is to rye whiskey production. Tonight’s pour is their French Oak Farmer’s Rye Sweet Mash Rye. This is part of a four-bottle collaboration with the John Mellencamp Whiskey Company in support of Farm Aid, a program dedicated to helping American farmers in times of need. It’s an admirable mission, and one that gives this release an extra layer of purpose. 

    Because of this cause, the whiskey is using 100% locally sourced grains along with being a "small batch release of 36 barrels.

For the full video review visit the link here: https://youtu.be/deMTLmU9NNE


Age Statement: +3 years.


ABV: 52%.


Mashbill: 78% Indiana Rye, 28% Indiana corn.


Area of Distillation: Nashville, Indiana.


Finishing: Toasted French Oak.


Appearance: Deep golden red.



On the nose: 

    The aroma is beautifully expressive, starting with red apple and orchard fruits before moving into notes of nuttiness, vanilla, and even buttercream frosting. There’s a touch of rye spice and French oak-driven complexity, offering herbal, dusty, and faintly medicinal notes in the background. Overall, the nose feels layered and well-balanced, with sweetness leading the way.



Taste: 
    There is a bit of ABV warmth on the first sip. Charred caramel and baking spices like cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg. but  The sweetness hinted at on the nose isn’t as prominent on the palate, which leaves the taste leaning more toward herbal, medicinal rye notes. The sweetness hinted at on the nose isn’t as prominent on the palate, which leaves the taste leaning more toward herbal, medicinal rye notes. Consecutive sips do not showcase that ABV I was finding on the first one, which is great. The French oak spiciness is showcased a bit more, which helps balance out the buttery sweet corn.


Finish: 
    This is where the whiskey stumbles for me. What begins with lively spice and rich texture quickly dries out, leaning heavily on oak tannins and bitterness. While there are flashes of fruit and vanilla, the finish doesn’t quite deliver the same balance promised by the nose.


Final Thoughts: 
    Hard Truth French Oak Farmer’s Rye is a whiskey with big ambition and a noble cause behind it. The nose is stellar, arguably one of the best French oak profiles I’ve had from a craft distillery, while the palate is bold but ultimately undone by a finish that runs a little too bitter and drying for my taste. It’s still a solid bottle worth trying, especially if you want to explore French oak finishing in rye whiskey and support a good cause. 


Rating: B- (Fairly good).

Cost: $69.99 for 750ml.

For the full video review visit the link here!: https://youtu.be/deMTLmU9NNE

Social platforms to follow me: https://linktr.ee/thelastcallyt

Learn more about Hard Truth Distilling via the link here: https://hardtruth.com/

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