Craft Whiskey Review

Hard Truth 7 Year Whiskeys | Full Lineup Tasting 

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Hard Truth’s 7-Year Indiana Whiskey: Bourbon, Wheated, and Rye!

The 7-year mark has officially arrived at Hard Truth Distilling Co., and we are breaking down the entire lineup! In this video, we deep dive into the brand new Hard Truth 7-Year Straight Bourbon, the 7-Year Wheated Bourbon, and the 7-Year Sweet Mash Rye.

Hard Truth has been making waves in Nashville, Indiana, but do these age-stated bottles live up to the premium MSRP? We explore the mash bills, the proof, and the flavor profiles of these highly anticipated February 2026 releases. Whether you are a fan of high-rye bourbons, soft wheated profiles, or punchy sweet mash ryes, we’re finding out exactly where these bottles sit in the current craft whiskey landscape.

In this tasting, we cover:

  • Hard Truth 7-Year Straight Bourbon (112.3 Proof): The core profile.
  • Hard Truth 7-Year Wheated Bourbon (116.1 Proof): The smooth operator.
  • Hard Truth 7-Year Sweet Mash Rye (107 Proof): The rye lover’s dream.

Let us know in the comments if you’ve managed to snag a bottle and what your tasting notes are!

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Hard Truth 7-Year Straight Bourbon

  • Classification: Indiana Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: Hard Truth Distilling Co.
  • Distillery: Hard Truth Distilling Co. (Nashville, IN)
  • Mash Bill: 67% Corn, 21% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
  • Age: 7 Years
  • Proof: 112.3
  • MSRP: $89.99
  • Released: February 2026
  • Purchased: $74.99 04/03/26 at High Spirits in Evansville, IN

Hard Truth 7-Year Wheated Bourbon

  • Classification: Indiana Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: Hard Truth Distilling Co.
  • Distillery: Hard Truth Distilling Co. (Nashville, IN)
  • Mash Bill: 69% Corn, 19% Wheat, 12% Malted Barley
  • Age: 7 Years
  • Proof: 116.1
  • MSRP: $89.99
  • Released: February 2026
  • Purchased: $74.99 04/03/26 at High Spirits in Evansville, IN

Hard Truth 7-Year Sweet Mash Rye

  • Classification: Indiana Straight Rye Whiskey
  • Company: Hard Truth Distilling Co.
  • Distillery: Hard Truth Distilling Co. (Nashville, IN)
  • Mash Bill: 94% Rye, 6% Malted Barley
  • Age: 7 Years
  • Proof: 107
  • MSRP: $89.99
  • Released: February 2026
  • Purchased: $74.99 04/03/26 at High Spirits in Evansville, IN

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

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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.


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4/20 Special: Tasting the Dark Arts Blunt Blend Batch

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It’s 4/20 and we are “weeding” out the latest release from Dark Arts Whiskey House! In this episode of Your Bourbon Journey, Wayne and Rebecca dive into the Blunt Blend Batch 3, affectionately known as “The Dank Arts.”

This isn’t your average rye. This is an 8-year-old Indiana Rye (likely MGP) that has undergone a sophisticated double-finish in both Madeira and Armagnac casks. Bottled at a stout 113.8 proof, this whiskey promises a complex journey from a fruit-forward nose to a surprising “chocolate” finish that left us questioning if we were actually eating a candy bar!

In this video, we explore:

  • The unique “Dank Arts” branding and 4/20 inspiration. 
  • The impact of the Madeira and Armagnac double-finish on a high-rye mash bill. 
  • Full tasting notes: Discover why Wayne calls this a “Top 5 Rye” of all time. 
  • A breakdown of the viscosity (those legs!) and the “chocolate pop” on the palate. 
  • Our experience ordering online from Dark Arts—is the shipping worth the cost?

Whether you’re a “rye guy” or usually stick to bourbon, this complex, viscous, and spicy “Blunt Blend” might just be your new favorite pour. Stick around for the end where we discuss upcoming cigar pairings and a “special” summer report!

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Dark Arts Blunt Blend (Batch 3) Dank Arts

  • Classification: Rye Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: Dark Arts Whiskey House
  • Distillery: Distilled in Indiana; Blended/Bottled in Sparta, KY
  • Mash Bill: 95% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
  • Age: 8 Years
  • Finished: Madeira Cask and Armagnac Cask
  • Proof: 113.8
  • MSRP: $99.99
  • Released: Late March 2026
  • Other: Bottle 3370
  • Purchased: $122.18 with Shipping from Dark Arts Online

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

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.

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Glenns Creek Patriotic Meri-COB: Red, White & Blue Corn

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In this episode of Your Bourbon Journey, Wayne and Rebecca head to the historic grounds of Glenns Creek Distilling to crack open a very special bottle: the Patriotic Meri-COB.

This isn’t just any bourbon; it’s the first new product release from the distillery since 2021! Distilled in the shadow of the former Old Crow ruins, this 100% Corn Bourbon is a masterclass in heirloom grains. We’re breaking down the “Red, White, and Blue” mash bill featuring Bloody Butcher Red, Hickory King White, and Hoppi Blue corn.

From its buttery “kettle corn” sweetness on the nose to a surprising savory, black pepper finish, this 105-proof powerhouse is a contender for our Whiskey of the Month. Is it the “Tail of Two Bourbons”? Watch to find out if this $80 bottle lives up to the hype!

⭐ Tasting Notes:

  • Nose: Incredibly sweet and complex. Heavy notes of butterscotch, vanilla, and sweet heirloom corn without the typical “dusty funk.”
  • Palate: Thick viscosity with a “buttery popcorn” or “kettle corn” mouthfeel. Initial caramel sweetness transitions into a deep, savory complexity.
  • Finish: Long and warming with a touch of black pepper and a lingering “sugary” kettle corn essence.

We were shocked by that buttery kettle corn note on the finish! Have you ever picked up a popcorn note in your bourbon before, or are we just crazy? Let us know in the comments! 👇

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✴️ Patriotic Meri-COB

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: Glenns Creek Distilling
  • Mash Bill: 100% Corn:  Bloody Butcher Red, Hickory King White, Hoppi Blue
  • Age: At least 36 months
  • Proof: 105
  • MSRP: $80
  • Other: This is the first new release of a product since 2021
  • Released: July 2025

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

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.

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