Military Rye Review: Hard Truth High Road Rye

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History – In a milestone for Hard Truth, the High Road release marks its most ambitious venture yet, showcasing the distillery’s recent expansion endeavors. The completion of Rackhouse No. 2, double the size of its predecessor, has propelled storage capacity from 4,000 to an impressive 12,000 barrels.

Hard Truth’s delectable rye whiskies have captured the spotlight with a plethora of awards and commendations. The maiden batch of Sweet Mash Rye Whiskey earned a coveted spot in Fred Minnick’s esteemed Top 50 American Whiskeys of 2021, followed by a gold medal at the USA Spirits Awards, a double platinum at the ASCOTs, and two impressive 93 ratings in various tasting competitions. Particularly noteworthy is the Master Distiller’s Reserve Malted Rye Sweet Mash Rye Whiskey, clinching the prestigious 2023 Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Established in 2015, Hard Truth Distilling Co., headquartered in Nashville, Indiana, crafts over 20 premium spirits, including the acclaimed Hard Truth Sweet Mash Rye Whiskey and the popular Hard Truth Cinnamon Vodka, Hard Truth Toasted Coconut Rum, and Hard Truth Toasted Coconut Rum Cream.

The reach of Hard Truth’s spirits extends across Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Wisconsin, and Wyoming, with plans to conquer several new states in 2023.

The journey began when Hard Truth quickly outgrew its original production facility in 2015. By 2017, construction commenced on its current state-of-the-art distillery, occupying a spacious 50,000-square foot building housing a cutting-edge Vendome Copper & Brass distilling system. Situated within Brown County, Indiana’s 325-acre wooded expanse—an enclave for artists and a hotspot for tourists boasting Indiana’s largest state park—Hard Truth’s destination campus epitomizes innovation and craftsmanship. Let’s dig in!

Value – The value really falls in line with a budget friendly Rye and I think it’s fair for what it puts out. You would expect something more expensive from a craft distillery but this comes in at a nice median price range.

Appearance – Copper. I love love love this bottle with its old school fancy cork topper to its shape. I think its looks super cool on the shelf. The branding they went through you can tell is very professional.

Nose – Very Floral / Jasmine / Grapefruit / Cranberry / Piney

Palate – Charcoal / Apple / Fudge / Honey and a Full Bodied

Finish – Red Wine / Leather / Smooth and the Burn only lingers slightly

Summary – Hard Truth’s latest release, the High Road Rye, marks a significant milestone in their journey, showcasing the distillery’s ambitious expansion efforts with the completion of Rackhouse No. 2, doubling storage capacity to an impressive 12,000 barrels. Their rye whiskies have garnered widespread acclaim, with the Sweet Mash Rye Whiskey earning top honors in prestigious competitions and ratings. The High Road offers excellent value, boasting a budget-friendly price for a craft distillery product.

“Overall, the High Road is a must-try for whiskey enthusiasts seeking quality and affordability.“

– Andrew Workman

Uniqueness- 1-10 – 6

Appearance- 1-10 – 10

Nose- 1-20 – 6

Palate- 1-20 – 15

Finish- 1-20 – 10

Value- 1-20 – 15