Indiana Distilleries

We Tested 3 Exotic European Oaks! Starlight Terroir Bourbon

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Can the geographic origin of a tree completely transform the flavor of a craft bourbon? We went to the upstairs tasting room at Starlight Distillery to put their highly anticipated Terroir Collection to the ultimate comparative tasting test!

Welcome back to Your Bourbon Journey! Today, Wayne and Rebecca are diving deep into the ultimate whiskey geek show: wood terroir. Starlight Distillery took the exact same 4.5-year-old Indiana Straight Bourbon sweet mash distillate and finished it in six distinct international oak varieties. While the Scandinavian oak was completely sold out, we successfully tasted five and brought home three distinctly different bottles to map out the incredible structural effects of international oak.

We break down three unique barrels sitting at an identical proof range (114.3 to 114.6 Proof) to ensure the heat doesn’t skew the results—allowing the wood density, grain structures, and international soils to tell the story. From the tight-grained, caramel-forward Balkan Oak of Bulgaria to the porous, highly oxidative Iberian Oak of Spain, and the intensely resinous, baking spice bomb that is the Carpathian Oak of Romania, this lineup will completely change how you view finished whiskey. Stick around until the end to see the shocking twist where our initial distillery impressions get completely flipped upside down on our home palates!

Have you picked up any bottles from the Starlight Terroir Series yet? Let us know your favorite in the comments below!

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Starlight Terroir Collection

  • Classification: Indiana Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: Starlight Distillery
  • Mash Bill: Proprietary blend of 3-Grain 60% Corn, $20% Rye, 20% Malted Barley) and 4-Grain 51% Corn, 20% Rye, 20% Malted Barley, 9% Wheat) Sweet Mash
  • Age: 4.5 Years
  • SRP: $69.99
  • Purchased: 06/06/26 at Starlight Distillery, Borden Indiana 
  • Starlight Terroir Collection: Balkan Oak / Bulgaria; Proof: 114.6 
  • Starlight Terroir Collection: Iberian Oak / Spain; Proof: 114.3 Proof 
  • Starlight Terroir Collection: Carpathian Oak / Romania; Proof: 114.4 Proof 

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NOTE: The spirits in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

#StarlightDistillery #TerroirCollection #YourBourbon Journey #BourbonReview #CraftWhiskey #ExoticOak #IndianaBourbon #BalkanOak #IberianOak #CarpathianOak #SweetMash #BourbonTasting #WhiskeyGeek #SingleBarrel #DrinkResponsibly

Dusty Barn Distillery: An Indiana Bourbon Discovery!

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Bourbon Trail Tales & Tastes Episode 27: Dusty Barn Distillery

Get ready to journey back with us as we relive our unforgettable first visit to Dusty Barn Distillery! From the rustic charm of their grounds to the passion poured into every barrel, we’re taking you behind the scenes of what makes this hidden gem so special.

But that’s not all! The main event kicks off with a live, unscripted tasting of a truly unique bottle we snagged during our visit: Doc’s Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey. What rare and delightful notes will we uncover in this one-of-a-kind pour? Will it be a smoky whisper, a sweet serenade, or something entirely unexpected? 

Click play ▶️ now to find out!

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What’s your favorite hidden gem on the Bourbon Trail? Let us know in the comments!

In this series, Bourbon Trail Tales & Tastes, we navigate the rich tapestry of our memorable experiences on the Bourbon Trail, a journey that has undeniably enriched our appreciation for this iconic American spirit. We tackle intriguing questions such as: What stands out as the most profound memory of that bourbon trail experience, one that has etched itself firmly in our minds? What exceptional and bourbon or whiskey did we discover during this journey, perhaps one that surprised us with its intricate and delightful flavor profiles? What lasting impressions do we have of that bourbon or whiskey today, as we reflect on its complexities and how they resonate with our evolving palates and preferences? Through this exploration, we passionately recount our adventures and celebrate the stories and connections we’ve forged along the way, highlighting the essence of the Bourbon Trail.

#bourbontrail #IndianaDistillery #DustyBarnDistillery 

Dusty Barn Distillery

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

ABOUT THE BOTTLE REVIEWED

✴️ Doc’s Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey

  • Classification: Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: Dusty Barn Distillery
  • Mash Bill: 70% Corn, Rye, Malted Barley
  • Age: 18 Months
  • Proof: 106.8
  • Other: Batch WSBI, Single Barrel, Cask Strength
  • Purchased: 12/31/22 for $110 at Dusty Barn Distillery

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

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NOTE: The spirit in this review was purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

First Tour of Spirits of French Lick Distillery

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July 7, 2024
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer

The last weekend of June, Wayne and I decided to explore and enjoy more of Southern Indiana. Our first stop was West Baden, IN. We have been there before and it has much to offer, including historical sites, hotels, a casino, and French Lick Winery that now includes Spirits of French Lick Distillery.

The last time we visited the winery/distillery, they were just beginning to offer vodka, gin, and rum spirits. Now they have a variety of bourbon, rye, brandy, botanical spirits, and American Whiskey. Per their website, Spirits of French Lick is the largest pot-still distillery in Indiana. This traditional method, combined with their double pot still distillation process, allows for greater control over the spirit’s flavor and character. They also utilize lower entry proofs into the barrel, further influencing the final taste.

Throughout the distillery and on their bottles, you see the statement: “Respect the Grain.” This is their guiding principle and reflects their commitment to sourcing the highest quality grains, many of which are locally grown and heirloom varieties, and treating them with the utmost care throughout the distilling process.

We were excited about our tour and the opportunity to learn more about their processes. Our guide, Cindy, was perhaps not as excited as we were because it was her very FIRST tour. We assured her that she would be great and since it was just us, we could keep it very conversational and easy going.

Tour of the Spirits of French Lick Distillery

We entered the back room where you immediately knew you were in a distillery based on the terrific aromas. Cindy guided us upstairs where we were able to get a look at their fermenting tanks and pot still.

Cindy explained each step along the way. We entered another room with additional distilling equipment, including a column still where they process vodka and gin.

A favorite part of any tour is the area in which the barrels are stored. It is wonderful to see so many barrels of future spirits while taking in the amazing aromas of the angels’ share.

Cindy did a great job and was also open to learning and added some new questions to her note cards. We are incredibly confident that she will continue to learn and appreciate all aspects of the distilling process. She invited us to come back in a few months just to see how much she has progressed. We plan to do that and cheer her on every step of the way!

Rebecca, Cindy, and Wayne after our great tour!

Tasting Flight

At the conclusion of the tour, we enjoyed a guided tasting of four spirits. For the tasting, we each selected:
*Lee W. Sinclair – Bottled in Bond Four Grain Bourbon
*William Dalton – Bottled in Bond Wheated Wheated Bourbon
*The Morning Glory – Bottled in Bond Kasha Bourbon

In addition:
*Wayne selected The Mattie Gladden – Bottled in Bond High Rye Bourbon
*Rebecca selected Hindostan Falls – Bottled in Bond Heirloom Bourbon

We loved that each was a Bottled in Bond and that interesting grain combinations were used to create unique spirits. For this visit, we selected The Morning Glory to purchase as it was the most different from anything that we have on our bourbon shelves. You can read our tasting notes HERE.

In addition, Wayne had a glass of their Cabernet Franc and thoroughly loved it and had to have a bottle. That is high praise since that is his very favorite wine varietal.

Gift Shop

Our tour included a Kenzie glass for each of us. Interestingly, they do not sell those and the only way to acquire one is to take the tour.

In addition to the wine and bourbon, two yummy pieces of fudge were purchased – one was chocolate peanut butter and the other was cappuccino. That cappuccino fudge became an instant favorite!

Distillery Trail Statistics

Spirits of French Lick Distillery in West Baden, IN was our 61st distillery, the 6th Indiana distillery, and our 132nd distillery experience. We had a great time and highly recommend that you add them to your bourbon journey.

Pro Tip: Plan to visit other nearby distilleries. From Spirits of French Lick, you can can head a mere 17 miles South to Patoka Lake Winery (which will include the soon-to-open Old Homestead Distilling Co.) with very nice lodging options. Another option is to drive less than 50 miles Southeast to Starlight Distillery, which is then only 30 minutes to Louisville. Of course, you could start in Louisville, head to Starlight, Spirits of French Lick, and Patoka Lake Winery/Old Homestead Distilling.

Happy Trails!
Rebecca & Wayne

All photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer unless otherwise noted.

First Visit to Starlight Distillery

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July 4, 2024
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer

June 15, 2024, Wayne and I visited Starlight Distillery in Borden, IN for the very first time. In addition, June 29th we made a return visit. Yes, we enjoyed it that much! Getting to the distillery was reminiscent of a Beatles song, “The Long and Winding Road.” But seriously, there was lovely landscape along the way.

Upon arrival, we were amazed at just how large the Huber Family Farm, including the Huber Winery and Starlight Distillery, is! During our tour, we learned it is over 800 acres. Our minds were somewhat blown as we drove in the entrance … people, cars, directional signs, and more as far as our eyes could see. We expected to see a small family establishment like so many others that we have experienced; however, we learned rather quickly that this would be like no other.

Tractors pulling U-pick wagons filled with people were heading to the various U-pick areas. Berries and peaches seemed to be very popular. The Farm Market was filled with vibrant colors from so many amazing fruits and vegetables – we knew we would make that our final stop so we could take home some goodies. The fresh ice cream shopped looked amazing but even after two visits, we have yet to indulge in that sweet frozen cream, perhaps next time!

We could see the distillery in the distance but it was a few hours until our tour so we looked around the bottle and gift shop and then grabbed some beverages and headed toward the expansive patio to listen to live music. We met some terrific people and visited with them. We learned that they come often for the fresh fruits & veggies as well as the great atmosphere for family.

While we didn’t try the food on our first visit, we did get the “burger” on the second trip. Wow! It was huge and delightful. We may have opted to split one had we known it was so enormous since it was a double cheeseburger. We each got the Peach Tea with Bourbon as our beverage – also quite good. They have a good selection on their menu and cafe bar and we will make time for lunch on subsequent trips.

This note on their website really sums it up: “Since 1843, our family has cultivated an oasis for you to connect with your loved ones surrounded by the natural beauty of Southern Indiana. Make new memories every time you come—whether you’re with your kids, your friends, or your parents. When you visit Huber’s, you become family, too.”

We couldn’t agree more with their description. We have fallen in love with the Huber Family Farm and all it has to offer. This will become a regular stop on our journey. We hope you will visit too!

Tour of the Starlight Distillery

Rikki Urquhart, Starlight’s Tour Guide Manager, was our guide and she was incredibly knowledgable and engaging throughout. We had booked the “Straight From the Barrel Tour” that included all aspects of production and concluded in the rickhouse for a tasting flight that Rikki thieved straight from the barrels for us.

Rikki Urquhart, Starlight’s Tour Guide Manager

The tour began in the cellar (which was nice and cool on a rather hot day) and included a history of the Huber Family, the farm, the winery, and distillery. We were surrounded by some amazing wine barrels and overhead you see see remnants of some very old vines.

We moved room to room to view and learn about the various aspects of production, starting with wines and then the distilled spirits.

We made our way out to the rickhouse where we would partake in a tasting that Rikki thieved from various barrels. Each expression was unique and included a double oaked, finished bourbons, and a rye. The selections that Rikki made were outstanding.

This is a terrific tour! We highly recommend it as you get to learn so much and then experience the rickhouse thieving tasting. Thank you, Rikki, for an amazing afternoon!

Starlight Gift & Bottle Shop

We didn’t purchase souvenirs on either trip, but I’m thinking that a T-shirt might be in our future. We were fortunate that our barrel thieving tour included Glencairn glasses and 10-year anniversary pins. That said, there were bottle purchases. In addition to what is pictured below, we also got a bottle of their Cabernet Franc (Wayne’s favorite wine) and their Peach Brandy.

One of these has already been placed on my hat!

Bourbon finish in honey barrels, Cigar Batch, Double Oaked, and Bourbon finished in Champagne Wine Casks.

We enjoyed the Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Champagne Wine Casks so much that it was the reason for a rather quick subsequent trip – to get a couple more. You can read our tasting notes HERE.

Distillery Trail Statistics

The Starlight Distillery in Borden, IN was our 60th distillery, the 5th Indiana distillery, and our 129th distillery experience.

Pro Tip: Plan to visit other nearby distilleries. Starlight Distillery is only 30 minutes from Louisville, KY with over 10 distilleries and/or experiences. Also nearby, the Spirits of French Lick.

Happy Trails!
Rebecca & Wayne

All photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer unless otherwise noted.

July 2024 Tasting of Starlight Bourbon Finished in Champagne Wine Barrels

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July 2, 2024
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer

Wayne and I recently visited the Starlight Distillery in Borden, IN for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed it. Please see our visit story HERE. Thus, for this tasting, we decided to taste a recent Single Barrel release that we purchased during our visit: Starlight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Champagne Wine Barrels. We were intrigued by this one at the distillery and requested a small sample taste. That was enough for us to make the purchase. Please be sure to read our approach to Tasting Whiskey if you haven’t already. 

Starlight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Champagne Wine Barrels, Single Barrel

Mashbill – Carl T. Single Barrel Bourbons begins with their 3-grain and 4-grain mash bills. Undisclosed blend of:
1) 60% Corn, 20% Rye, 20% Malted Barley
2) 51% Corn, 20% Rye, 20% Malted Barley, 9% Wheat

Age – 4 years
Proof – 117.8
Price Paid – $80.24 (with tax)
Finished – Finished in Champagne Wine Barrels
Other – Sweet Mash Fermentation, Distilled in Copper Pot Stills; uncut, and straight from the barrel without any filtration.

Appearance – Golden amber. They are somewhat slow to form but this spirit has terrific legs on the glass.

Aroma – Very inviting nose with the light brightness of summer fruits and maybe a hint of citrus. There is also the sweetness of vanilla cream. In addition, there is a warm baking spice aroma coming through.

Tasted Neat – The bourbon comes forward clearly with notes of vanilla cream, light caramel, hints of grape, and nice baking spices. The finish is fascinating with somewhat of an effervescence that is almost popping with the flavor of grapes. It is like the perfect marriage of bourbon and champagne in a most unique way.

Tasted with dried cranberry –  The cranberry makes it pop more and brings the grape forward. The front and middle of the palate is champagne-like while the finish has a warm bourbon hug with spices.

Tasted with a pecan – The pecan comes through like a candied pecan and the grape-like fruitiness is gone as is the effervescence. It is also much woodier an with a nice spice note. Different but still good.

Tasted with dark chocolate – Interestingly, the chocolate brought a lot of spice, such as white pepper, baking spices, and cinnamon. The effervescence returned as well and each pop seems a bit like a spice explosion.

Discussion and Final Notes

This is a story of bourbon meeting champagne and becoming great friends. In our minds, this shouldn’t be the case; however, in our mouths, this unique finishing creates a one-of-a-kind taste sensation. The feeling of effervescence and the taste of a traditional bourbon with hints of a light champagne taste is so interesting.

We love that the bourbon holds its own and in a really strong way. However, this does not detour the champagne from letting you know it has arrived at the party as well! This is a bottle that we will want to share with friends to see what they think and watch their reactions. It is truly different, in a great way, and a terrific addition to a bourbon collection.

Cheers,
Rebecca & Wayne

Photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer

Straight Bourbon Whiskey Requirements & Sweet Mash

Straight Bourbon Whiskey: Such whiskeys have all the requirements of bourbon: Made in the U.S, distilled at <= 160 proof, barreled at <= 125 proof, aged in new, charred oak containers, bottled at >= 80 proof. Straight bourbon means it is aged at least 2 years (and must have an age statement if less than 4). For additional information on bourbon requirements, please read this post – Bourbon Whiskey.

Sweet Mash: Sweet mash is a process in distillation that does not use the sour mash as a starter for fermentation. Instead, only fresh yeast is used. Using sweet mash has the benefit of more control over specific ingredients and the ability to use lower temperatures for fermentation. However, it does require more maintenance and extreme cleanliness to avoid contamination. For more information, please read this post – Four Stages of Making Spirits.

NOTE: The bourbon in this review was purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

June 2024 Cap & Cork Hard Truth Dinner Pairing

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June 27, 2024
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer

Wayne and I became aware of this event through a few friends posting and sharing it on Facebook and even through private messages. We have enjoyed Hard Truth spirits for several years but we were not familiar with the Cap & Cork in Henderson, KY. We decided to acquire tickets and attend; after all, it was all about great food and great bourbon – what’s not to like?

Imagine our surprise when we arrive and see many familiar faces. We had no idea that folks we have gotten to know via the Beverage Barn in Henderson had started this new adventure.

In an April article by Chuck Stinnett, I was able to learn that Cap & Cork involves three couples: Brian and Justina McDaniel, owners of the Beverage Barn chain of liquor stores; Michael and Danielle Ervin; and Aaron and Heather Nelson. Michael Ervin, who gained cooking experience at a farm-to-table restaurant and a steakhouse, will serve as executive chef as well as managing partner. Aaron Nelson will focus on the bar, while Heather Nelson will work with Michael Ervin in the kitchen and Justina McDaniel and Danielle Ervin will serve as hostesses.

We got a look at the bar and the selection is truly amazing with many impossible-to-find bourbons. And, if the meal we enjoyed is anything like what their gastropub will produce, the Cap & Cork will quickly become a huge success on Henderson’s beautiful waterfront!

Gathering

When we arrived we saw familiar faces and joined Justin Strumpfer, Master of Bourbon, at his table. By the buzz in the room, you could tell that the guests were in high anticipation of a great meal paired with Hard Truth spirits.

Cap & Cork Executive Chef/Partner, Michael Ervin
Hard Truth Master Distiller/Partner, Bryan Smith

Once the introductions were made, we heard from the Cap & Cork’s Executive Chef/Partner, Michael Ervin, as he described the menu for the evening. Next, Hard Truth’s Master Distiller/Partner, Bryan Smith, discussed the opening cocktail and what we could expect for the evening.

Cocktail: Bourbon Ginger Highball with Hard Truth Sweet Mash Bourbon.

Sharable: Whipped Pork Butter (smoked pork whipped into salted butter with salsa verde) and Focaccia Bread with garlic oil and black lava salt.

2nd Course

The 2nd course was presented and it was lovely. Seared Scallops with serrano cream corn, maitake mushrooms, and Hard Truth Rye cream sauce. We were also served a neat pour of Hard Truth Sweet Mash Rye.

Although I do no eat seafood, Wayne was happy to receive my scallops. He said they were perfectly cooked with a nice sear and very tender. He even said that Chef Gordon Ramsey would be pleased. I really enjoyed the serrano cream corn!

3rd Course

Wow! When the 3rd/main course was served, it made quite an impression. The plating was gorgeous and we could not wait to cut into that veal and taste the sauce. It was described as a veal lollypop crusted in coffee and cocoa nibs with bacon tomato jam and broccolini. While the veal was great on its own, including some of that bacon tomato jam with each bite truly took it to another level. We were also served a neat pour of Hard Truth Sweet Mash Rye Chocolate Malt, which happens to be a favorite of ours.

4th Course – Dessert

Dessert was a Brûléed Piña Colada Panna Cotta with a Boozy Antler Single Origin Cold Brew and Hard Truth Coconut Rum. Both Wayne and Justin were raving about each of these and said the dessert was like having a bite of a Piña Colada. Unfortunately, I am unable to eat/drink coconut. However, I was provided an a amazing chocolate cake option that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Brûléed Piña Colada Panna Cotta
Boozy Antler Single Origin Cold Brew and
Hard Truth Coconut Rum

Wrapping Up a Great Event

Things were starting to wind down and we heard from the leadership team of the Cap & Cork and then Bryan Smith shared a parting toast that included a neat pour of Hard Truth’s Sweet Mash Rye Finished in French Oak Cognac Barrels. It was the perfect ending to an amazing evening!

The event helped us to appreciate Hard Truth and the work of Bryan Smith even more than we had before. Plus, we are so excited about the opening of the Cap & Cork. We believe it will be a tremendous success and encourage everyone to make a visit very soon!

Cheers until next time!
Rebecca & Wayne

Rebecca, Wayne, and Bryan Smith

Please check out our tasting notes for Hard Truth Sweet Mash March releases HERE.

March 2024 Hard Truth Sweet Mash Tasting

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03/05/24
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer

Please be sure to read our approach to Tasting Whiskey if you haven’t already. 

With the long-awaited release of Hard Truth’s Sweet Mash Bourbons, Wayne and I were anxious to get the bottles locally and sit down to do a formal tasting.

Basic requirements of bourbon: Made in the U.S, distilled at <= 160 proof, barreled at <= 125 proof, aged in new, charred oak containers, free from additives (except water), and bottled at >= 80 proof. Straight bourbon means it is aged at least 2 years (and must have an age statement if less than 4). For additional information on bourbon requirements, please read this post – Bourbon Whiskey.

These selections are also labeled as Sweet Mash. Sweet mash is a process in distillation that does not use the sour mash as a starter for fermentation. Instead, only fresh yeast is used. Using sweet mash has the benefit of more control over specific ingredients and the ability to use lower temperatures for fermentation. However, it does require more maintenance and extreme cleanliness to avoid contamination. For more information, please read this post – Four Stages of Making Spirits.

Hard Truth Sweet Mash Bourbon

Mashbill – 73% Corn, 19% Rye, 8% Malted Barley
Age – At least 4 years old
Proof – 90
Specifics – Sweet Mash, Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Small Batch, Non-Chill Filtered
Price Paid – $44.99

Color – medium copper

Aroma – sweetness of caramel and vanilla with a hint of nutmeg and perhaps a fruit such as apple or berry.

Taste –  less sweetness that on the nose but a very light hint of caramel; has a black pepper finish.

Tasted with dried cranberry – the berry and red apple from the nose is coming forward with the cranberry, the finish is greatly softened but still carries a note of pepper.

Tasted with a pecan – this brought the pepper forward, but it is more of a white pepper and a nice sweetness from caramel is present.

Tasted with dark chocolate – caramel and chocolate are strong as well as some baking spices and hints of oak.

Notes: A very good 90 proof bourbon for under $45.

Hard Truth Sweet Mash Wheated Bourbon – Bottled in Bond


Mashbill – 69% Corn, 19% Wheat, 12% Malted Barley
Age – At least 4 years old
Proof – 100
Specifics – Sweet Mash, Wheated Bourbon, Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Small Batch, Non-Chill Filtered, Bottled in Bond
Price Paid – $54.99

Color – medium copper

Aroma – the sweetness of the wheat really comes through as well as honey and light baking spices, it is very inviting, much like a muffin right fresh from the oven and you can’t wait to taste it.

Taste – sweet wheat and honey, much like the nose, and a very nice finish of cinnamon and perhaps another baking spice.

Tasted with dried cranberry – brought forward a strong black pepper and the lovely wheat sweetness has faded.

Tasted with a pecan – a sweet caramel comes forward and the wheat is present, the finish is more of a light white pepper.

Tasted with dark chocolate – baking spices are really forward but not on the finish, the sweetness seems to have disappeared.

Notes: This is a fine wheated bourbon in the $50 price range. This is something that we will want to keep on our bourbon shelf.

Hard Truth Sweet Mash Four Grain Bourbon – Bottled in Bond

Mashbill – 78% Corn, 9% Rye, 9% Wheat, 4% Malted Barley
Age – At least 4 years old
Proof – 100
Specifics – Sweet Mash, Four Grain Bourbon, Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Small Batch, Non-Chill Filtered, Bottled in Bond
Price Paid – $59.99

Color – medium copper

Aroma – quite different from the other two, notes of sweet cherries. Interesting that there is 78% corn yet it isn’t on the nose.

Taste – cherry, baking spices, and a minimal finish, perhaps like a cinnamon wheat cereal, not as much grain as anticipated in a four grain bourbon.

Tasted with dried cranberry – brings the wheat forward, really warm and inviting.

Tasted with a pecan – now it has the sweetness of caramel and a cinnamon baking spice with a light finish.

Tasted with dark chocolate – very similar as with the pecan … light caramel and cinnamon.

Notes: It is a nice pour of a four grain although not what we were expecting. While equal percentages (9%) in the mashbill, the wheat is a bit more prevalent than the rye. It drinks much more like a “regular” bourbon than a four grain. Perhaps the 9% rye and 9% wheat are not enough of those grains to make a significant difference.

Comparison and Ranking

Aroma
  Wayne: Wheated, Four Grain, Bourbon
  Rebecca: Four Grain, Wheated, Bourbon
Taste
  Wayne: Wheated, Four Grain, Bourbon
  Rebecca: Wheated, Four Grain, Bourbon
Overall
  Wayne: Wheated, Four Grain, Bourbon
  Rebecca: Wheated, Four Grain, Bourbon

Discussion – Each of the new Sour Mash offerings from Hard Truth is very good and at a reasonable price point. The Sour Mash Bourbon is good and good value for the money. The Sour Mash Four Grain Bourbon offers a different taste profile even though the grains do not stand out like we have experienced in other four grains. That said, due to the price point and taste profile, we would certainly recommend it. If we could only buy one, it would be the Sour Mash Wheated.

We have loved Hard Truth Ryes for a few years and it is wonderful to see them release these new Sour Mash Bourbon varieties with a very approachable price point.

Cheers,
Rebecca

Photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer

NOTE: The bourbons in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producers for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.