Caramel | Peanut brittle | Toffee | Mahogany | Brown sugar | Strawberry | Mixed tropical fruits

Sweet oak | Candied pecan | Dark brown sugar | Cinnamon sugar | Cream soda

Brown sugar | Milk chocolate | Charred oak | Mixed nuts | Coffee liqueur | Lingering mixed pepper spice

Hard Truth Distilling Co. was founded in 2015 by a group that originally operated Big Woods Brewing. They began by experimenting with distilling spirits before deciding to open a dedicated distillery. Construction of its distillery began in 2017, and a year later, they were producing and aging their own whiskey on-site. They released a rye first, which is unusual in the industry, as bourbon is typically the go-to as a distillery gets off the ground. With the company’s bourbon, wheated bourbon, and rye now reaching the 7 year mark, they announced a trio of new releases featuring the higher age statement.

Hard Truth’s bourbon releases have shown a steady line of improvement with each passing year. Even with their inaugural release, we called it “thoroughly enjoyable…that will particularly satisfy the bourbon drinkers with a sweet tooth.” That remains true for the 7 year old bourbon, too.

The aroma has shown the most change from the initial release. Caramel dominates, but is now accompanied by more complex scents of peanut brittle, mahogany, and mixed tropical fruit. The palate is nearly the same, with a deeper flavor, but it is as sweet as ever. The finish layers on more brown sugar, which is now a quintessential flavor for Hard Truth. This is followed by milk chocolate, charred oak, mixed nuts, coffee liqueur, and lingering mixed pepper spice.

For fans of sweet bourbon, this one goes all out. There is a lack of fruit sweetness from this bourbon, instead relying on brown sugar, sweet oak, candied nuts, and cream soda to supply the sugary hit. The bourbon has also developed a fuller body in the sip, being less watery, though it is not quite buttery just yet. Being a couple of years removed from their initial release, Father Time is being kind to Hard Truth Straight Bourbon. It’s processing steadily and showing continued improvement.