Nashville, IN (May 8, 2025) – Hard Truth Distilling Co. announced today the release of American Odd Sweet Mash Bourbon Whiskey, the fourth in a four-part collectible series of sweet mash whiskeys in collaboration with Mellencamp Whiskey Company. Most notable about the collection’s latest expression, American Odd will be their first Bottled in Bond Sweet Mash Bourbon Whiskey.

Each of the four collectible whiskeys from Hard Truth and Mellencamp Whiskey features a unique expression created by Hard Truth Master Distiller Bryan Smith along with Hud Mellencamp and Levi Collison, the co-founders of Mellencamp Whiskey Company.

The series has provided some of the most unique and artistic labels in the whiskey industry. Each bottle’s label in the four-part series features original artwork by John Mellencamp. The new release is the first to take the name of a Mellencamp painting – American Odd. It was painted in 2020 on a 60” by 48” canvas featuring house paint, oil and charcoal on Masonite. American Odd, one of Mellencamp’s favorite paintings, is a representation of American farmers.

The partnership of Hard Truth and Mellencamp Whiskey was forged with a shared desire to support and celebrate America’s heartland farmer and a portion of sales goes to support sustainable farming initiatives and farming families.

“American Odd’s Bourbon mash bill was designed as a compliment to our partnership’s first release, Harvest Rye, and a nod to our farmer partners in Evansville and Rushville, Indiana,” said Smith. “And in a series that was founded on a goal to make some of the highest quality and most authentic Indiana whiskeys we’ve ever produced, it was appropriate for the final release to be bottled on bond.“

This special batch of bottled-in-bond bourbon is made from 100% Indiana grains, aged for four years in a prescriptive char and toast combination designed by Independent Stave Co. exclusively for Hard Truth’s Sweet Mash Bourbons. The mash bill is 82% Indiana corn from Doug Miller, a local fifth-generation Indiana farmer located just 60 miles from the distillery; and 18% rye grown in the southwestern Indiana by farmer Dr. Duane Kuhlenschmidt. American Odd is 100 proof (50% ABV) with a suggested retail price of $69.99.

According to Smith, the first three Mellencamp Whiskeys – Harvest Rye Sweet Mash Rye, Farmer’s Reserve, French Oak Harvest Rye – have all met all expectations in terms of consumer response, sales and reviews from some of the prestigious whiskey critics and reviewers. He points to a Whiskey Advocate’s 91 rating for Farmer’s Reserve Sweet Mash Blend, and a 92 rating for Harvest Sweet Mash Rye, with the critic writing it was “one of the highest marks we’ve seen from the (Hard Truth) label.”

For the first time, all four Mellencamp Whiskeys – Harvest Rye Sweet Mash Rye, Farmer’s Reserve, French Oak Harvest Rye and American Odd Sweet Mash Bourbon Whiskey – will be available in a special decorative four-pack box set with an SRP of $299.99. It will only be available at the Hard Truth Distillery while supplies last.

“It’s been an extraordinary journey working with Hard Truth over these past two years,” said Hud Mellencamp. “I’ve worked with great people including Bryan, his team, and the owners of Hard Truth; traveled the country introducing some amazing whiskeys; and I’ve learned so much about this industry and what it takes to be successful.”

“I’m so proud to be working on the development and marketing of these beautiful whiskeys,” said Levi Collison. “It’s been especially great visiting with retailers and whiskey fans around the country talking about our whiskeys, talking whiskey in general, and discussing the future of our industry. I can’t wait to hear everyone’s reaction to American Odd. I really believe whiskey lovers will be floored.”

Tasting Notes for American Odd: 

Appearance: Tawny
Nose: Lush caramel, clove, and ripe red peach warm the nose and soften to a hint of custard.
Palate: A huge burst of bright cherry quickly builds to warming coffee cake, bold spice, and a touch of vanilla cake frosting.
Finish: Dark sweet cherry, tobacco, and cracked black pepper fade slowly to soft notes of oak for a lasting finish.

‍Grounded in Truth
The agricultural community provides the backbone for the distilling industry, and the vast majority of the grains that Hard Truth uses in its craft spirits come from local Indiana and Midwest farms.

Grounded in Truth expands on Hard Truth’s commitment to small, independent, and heritage farmers through creative partnerships with agriculturally focused, not-for-profit organizations that provide valuable resources and support for family farmers — like Farm Aid, Grounded in Truth’s first giving partner.

About Hard Truth Distilling Co.
Hard Truth Distilling Co. is an industry leader in the production of sweet mash whiskey, and, in 2024, was named the Indiana Distillery of the Year by the NY International Spirits Competition.

In addition to its critically-acclaimed line of sweet mash bourbons and rye whiskeys, the Nashville, Indiana-based Hard Truth also crafts a selection of premium craft spirits, including top-selling Hard Truth Toasted Coconut Rum, Hard Truth Toasted Coconut Rum Cream, Hard Truth Cinnamon Vodka, and Hard Truth Maple Bourbon Cream.

Sweet Mash Rye, Hard Truth’s first whiskey to market, earned a spot with its original release in the top 50 of Fred Minnick's Top 100 American Whiskeys of 2021. In 2023, a barrel-finished expression of Sweet Mash Rye was named #34 in Minnick’s Top 100 from more than 900 whiskeys tasted.

Sweet Mash Rye has also taken home a gold medal in USA Spirits awards, won double platinum medal in the ASCOTS, scored a 93 in Whiskey Advocate, and was named the #3 top American Rye in the world by the International Whisky Competition, known as “the Olympics of whisky competitions.”

In February 2024, Hard Truth released its first grain-to-glass Sweet Mash Bourbons. These include the main line Hard Truth Sweet Mash Bourbon, along with bottled-in-bond Wheated and Four Grain Bourbons.

Just months into distribution, Hard Truth’s Sweet Mash Bourbons have been critically and commercially well-received. In fact, Hard Truth Sweet Mash Bourbon won Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and Wheated Bourbon won Double Platinum at the American Spirits Council of Tasters.

Hard Truth’s spirits are currently distributed in more than 20 states, and the distillery has partnered with ReserveBar for online sales in more than 40 states.

For more information on Hard Truth, visit hardtruth.com.