The Last Call

       Hard Truth has been a staple in my whiskey journey for a long time, and for good reason. As an Indiana-based craft distillery, they’ve consistently shown they can stand alongside bigger names, especially with their sweet mash approach. This 7-year rye marks their oldest release to date, and with such a small batch, only around 10 barrels, it immediately feels like something special. There’s also a bit of personal anticipation here. I’ve had their younger expressions and even picked up their 6-year distillery release, but before I could get to it, this 7-year dropped.       Naturally, expectations are high, especially knowing how well their younger sweet mash ryes already perform. This is a sweet mash straight rye whiskey, which sets it apart right away. Unlike the more common sour mash process, each fermentation here starts completely fresh—no backset, no carryover. That means every batch has the potential for subtle variation, influenced b...

     Hard Truth has been one of the most exciting distilleries coming out of southern Indiana, not only for their quality but for their advocacy in establishing “Indiana Rye” as a recognized classification. From the first time I tried their gin, I’ve been hooked, and since then I’ve made it a point to chase down their limited releases whenever possible. This Sweet Mash Double Oaked Straight Rye immediately had my attention. A five-year age statement, bottled at barrel proof, and finished in a secondary charred cask? That is a recipe that speaks directly to everything I love about double oaked rye.      This expression starts with a 94% rye, 6% malted barley mash bill. It is produced using a sweet mash process, meaning each fermentation begins fresh rather than incorporating backset from a previous run. After initial aging, the whiskey is transferred into a second charred barrel, where it rests long enough to bring the total age to at least five years. The b...

          Peerless Distilling is a name most bourbon drinkers recognize instantly, largely thanks to that unmistakable bottle design. It’s bold, beefy, and looks fantastic on a shelf. I’ll admit right away, I’ve had a bit of a complicated relationship with Peerless releases over the years. Some of their offerings, like the Double Oak Bourbon and Double Oak Rye, have been standouts for me, while others have left me scratching my head. Until now, I’d never actually sat down and reviewed their standard Kentucky Straight Bourbon, and curiosity finally won out despite my ongoing hesitation with their pricing.       While there’s no age statement on the bottle, Peerless does confirm on their website that they adhere to a four-year minimum. I always wish that transparency made it onto the label, but it is what it is. What truly sets Peerless apart from many other Kentucky distilleries is their use of a sweet mash process rather than the more co...

     Hard Truth Distilling continues to be one of Indiana’s most interesting craft producers, and this American Odd Sweet Mash Bottled in Bond Bourbon represents the final release in their four-bottle collaboration with the John Mellencamp Whiskey Company. This release leans heavily into Hard Truth’s commitment to sweet mash production and locally sourced Indiana grains. It’s a bottle I originally approached with hesitation on paper, but after finding it at the right price, curiosity won out.      What immediately stands out is the philosophy behind the bottle. From grain to glass, Hard Truth handles nearly every step in-house, and the collaboration’s tie-in with Farm Aid adds a meaningful layer to the release. Supporting local farmers and emphasizing regional grain usage gives this bourbon a sense of purpose beyond just what’s in the glass. This is a sweet mash straight bourbon made with 100% Indiana-grown grains sourced from Rushville, Indiana. For the fu...