We like Hard Truth whiskeys. They make excellent whiskey, both Bourbon and Rye whiskeys. They like to experiment with finishing barrels and this is their latest experiment. It is a very good Rye whiskey. They sent me a bottle of this whiskey the other day and Matt and I sat down to taste it. Here are our tasting notes.
Hard Truth Sweet Mash Rye Finished with Toasted Mizunara Oak
Proof: 124.7
Age: No Age Statement
Nose:
- Mike: Vanilla, rye grass, wild berries, baking spices and oak wood.
- Matt: Caramel, rye grass, mint and oak wood.
Taste:
- Mike: Vanilla, rye grass, raspberries, blackberries, cinnamon, nutmeg and oak wood. Tasted with a dried cranberry and the berries and oak are enhanced. Tasted with a pecan and chocolate comes forward with a little ginger spice added to the flavor.
- Matt: Rye grass, caramel, orange zest, mint and oak wood. The dried cranberry added red hot cinnamon candy, cinnamon and nutmeg spice to the flavor. The pecan enhanced the caramel and rye grass.
Finish:
- Mike: Medium long with oak wood, spices and lingering wild berry. The dried cranberry made the finish long with oak and spice and lingering vanilla. The pecan made it long and dry with oak wood, ginger and lingering dark chocolate.
- Matt: Medium long with oak wood, mint and lingering orange zest. The dried cranberry made the finish longer with oak wood and rye grass. The pecan made it long and spicy with oak wood, cinnamon and rye grass.
I would pair this fine rye whiskey with a cigar that has a lot of vanilla and cedar spice in the smoke. I would reach for an Arturo Fuente Short Story cigar.
Photos Courtesy of Rosemary Miller