Wild berries | Tree bark | Roasted cacao beans | Light nougat | Faint vanilla | Cinnamon stick

Cinnamon cake | Allspice | White peppercorn spice | Faint oak | Vanilla cream

Cinnamon spice | Buttered wheat toast | Aged oak | Leather | Baking spices | Lingering 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 focused heavily on the less common sweet mash process rather than traditional sour mash, and they prominently feature “Sweet Mash” in the names of many of their whiskeys. Their experimental roots have never faded, as they were among the first distilleries that offered an ongoing malted rye product, and a number of their whiskeys also feature chocolate malt in their mashbill.

While Hard Truth has released a Wheated Bottled in Bond Bourbon in the past, this is the first time the distillery has released an age-stated 7 year version. Sharing the same mashbill as the Bottled in Bond version, this eight barrel blend leans into a surprising amount of spice for a wheated bourbon.

While the aroma lulls you into believing it will be sweet and earthy thanks to scents of forest berries, tree bark, and roasted cacao beans, it takes a 180 the remainder of the way. The palate bursts with cinnamon cake, allspice, and white peppercorn spice while vanilla cream tries to add a hint of sweetness. Ending on aged notes and spicy ones, the bourbon rides out a lingering wave of spice. While not as dynamic as some of the past releases that Hard Truth has released, Hard Truth 7 Year Wheated Bourbon is a good bourbon for those who enjoy a spicier wheated option.