Hard Truth Distilling

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.