Hard Truth Sweet Mash Wheated Bourbon is a grain-to-glass, bottled-in-bond straight bourbon from Hard Truth Distilling Co. in Brown County, Indiana, made from 69% corn, 19% wheat and 12% malted barley and bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV).
Hard Truth uses a sweet mash process, starting every batch with entirely fresh ingredients rather than reusing backset from a previous distillation. That approach highlights the natural complexity and sweetness of the grain, letting the corn, wheat and malted barley show through.
As a bottled-in-bond whiskey, it is the product of one distilling season, aged at least four years in a bonded warehouse and bottled at exactly 100 proof. The wheat gives a soft, rounded sweetness, and the whiskey shows classic bourbon warmth with caramel, vanilla, oak, baking spice and toasted sweetness.
It marks a milestone for the distillery and makes a fine gift for wheated bourbon fans.
Bourbon must be made in the United States from a mash of at least 51% corn and aged in new charred oak containers, and straight bourbon must be aged at least two years. Those rules give bourbon its characteristic sweetness, with caramel and vanilla drawn from the charred barrels.
The Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897 set strict rules to guarantee a whiskey's authenticity, and they still apply today.
Wheated bourbons replace rye with wheat as the secondary grain, trading peppery spice for a softer, sweeter profile.
Most bourbon is made with the sour mash method, which reuses backset from a previous run, so sweet mash bourbons are relatively rare.
Tasting Notes
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Grain: Soft wheat sweetness.
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Palate: Caramel, vanilla, oak and baking spice.
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Finish: Warm and toasty.
Specifications
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Producer: Hard Truth Distilling Co., Brown County, Indiana
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Style: Wheated straight bourbon, bottled in bond, sweet mash
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Mash Bill: 69% corn, 19% wheat, 12% malted barley
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Proof / ABV: 100 proof (50% ABV)
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Region: Indiana, USA
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Size: 750ml
How to Enjoy It
Sip it neat or with a splash of water, or mix an Old Fashioned. It pairs with pecan pie, roast pork or bread pudding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is sweet mash?
Starting each batch with fresh ingredients instead of reusing backset.
What is the mash bill?
69% corn, 19% wheat and 12% malted barley.
Is it bottled in bond?
Yes, at 100 proof.
Explore more in our Bourbon collection.
