Bourbon Trail Tales & Tastes Episode 6 – Hard Truth Distilling

Is Hard Truth Distillery The BEST Kept Secret on the Bourbon Trail?

In Episode 6 of Bourbon Trail Tales & Tastes, we recount our amazing first visit to Hard Truth Distillery in Nashville, Indiana. Join us as we vividly remember that beautiful day, May 22, 2022, which marked our inaugural visit to an Indiana distillery. We enthusiastically share our insights into the experiences available at Hard Truth, showcasing everything their campus has to offer. To fully immerse ourselves in those cherished memories, we uncork a bottle of Sipes Smoked Rye Whiskey, purchased on that memorable visit, enabling us to relive the original experience and further enriching our journey with yet another highlight in Our Bourbon Journey.

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.

SIPES’ BARREL SMOKED STRAIGHT RYE WHISKEY

Sipes’ Rye Whiskey is a premium, four-year-old rye whiskey finished in custom hardwood-smoked barrels, blended, and bottled in the Hard Truth Distilling Co. rackhouse and distillery in Brown County, Indiana.

Age: 4 years

Finished: hardwood smoked barrels, blended, and bottled by Hard Truth Distilling Co.

Proof: 90

Paid: $57.99

First Tasted: 02/02/25

Bourbon Trail Tales & Tastes Episode 5 – Heaven Hill

Our Unforgettable First Trip to Heaven Hill Distillery

In Episode 5 of Bourbon Trail Tales & Tastes, we proudly recount our unforgettable first visit to Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky. Join us as we remember that beautiful day, April 24, 2022. This day marked our fifth stop on our inaugural weekend of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, where we collected our 5th stamp in our trail book. We share invaluable insights about the experiences available at Heaven Hill with a focus on “You Do Bourbon.” To enhance our memories, we open a bottle of Bernheim Wheat Whiskey that Rebecca bottled that day, allowing us to relive the original experience and explore all that it has to offer, adding yet another highlight to Our Bourbon Journey.

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.

Bernheim Original Wheat Whiskey

Company/Distillery: Heaven Hill

  • Like the original, Bernheim Barrel Proof is produced at the Bernheim Distillery and is the first wheat whiskey to use winter wheat as its primary grain, giving it a soft, sweet flavor that’s extra smooth.
  • Each offering is aged for seven to nine years in our open-air rickhouses.
  • This is a chance to experience our unique wheat mashbill in its pure form: non-chill filtered and bottled at barrel proof.

Classification: Straight Wheat Whiskey

  • By definition, wheat whiskey is similar to the definition of bourbon whiskey, except that it swaps bourbon’s minimum 51% corn requirement for a minimum 51% wheat requirement.
  • Wheat whiskey does not need to be a product of the United States.
  • To be labelled “straight” wheat whiskey must be aged in new charred oak containers for at least two years and the product of a single state.

Mashbill: 51% Wheat, 37% Corn, 12% Malted Barley

Barrel Proof: 110

Age: 7 Years

Release Date: Special: 04/24/22 (You Do Bourbon / Bottle Your Own)

Price Paid: $49.99

Bourbon Trail Tales & Tastes Episode 4 – Maker’s Mark

Makers Mark DISTILLERY Secrets You Never Knew

In Episode 4 of Bourbon Trail Tales & Tastes, we proudly recount our unforgettable first visit to Maker’s Mark Distillery in Loretto, Kentucky. Join us as we remember that warm and sunny day, April 23, 2022. This day marked our fourth stop on our inaugural weekend of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, where we collected our fourth stamp in our trail book. We share invaluable insights about the Maker’s Mark grounds, distillery, and overall experience. To enhance our memories, we open a bottle of Maker’s Mark, allowing us to relive the original experience and explore all that it has to offer, adding yet another highlight to Our Bourbon Journey.

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.

Maker’s Mark Bourbon

Classification: Straight Bourbon
Company: Beam Suntory
Distillery: Maker’s Mark
Release Date: Ongoing
Proof: 90
Age: NAS (Aged 6-7 years according to the company)
Mashbill: 70% Corn, 16% Wheat, 14% Malted Barley
Color: Honey
MSRP: $30 / 750mL (2024)