Hard Truth Distilling Co. awarded #1 winner in Newsweek’s Best Distillery Tour 2026
Readers voted to determine the top 10 distillery tours in the U.S.
NASHVILLE, Ind. (April 2, 2026) – Hard Truth Distilling Co. has earned the number one spot as Newsweek’s Best Distillery Tour 2026. The results honor the distillery’s longtime dedication to its visitors, specifically their commitment to making memorable connections for all guests.
Hard Truth began offering tours in 2017, taking guests through the newly built Tours & Tastings Center and the in-progress distilling facility.
Since then, the experiences have grown along with the company, from tried-and-true distillery tours to in-depth rack house visits complete with whiskey thieving, ATV treks across Hard Truth’s 325-acre property, a Tiki cruise, mixology classes and a moonshiner’s experience among the Indiana woodlands.
The Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards celebrate the products, places and companies that inspire loyalty-spotlighting organizations that consistently exceed expectations and create lasting impressions. Over a four-week voting period, Newsweek readers and industry experts weighed in, honoring those that exemplify excellence in value and experience.
“The nominees in this category highlight distilleries that invite visitors to slow down, learn the process and engage with the people and environments shaping each spirit,” Newsweek’s article notes. “These tours showcase how distillery visits have become a meaningful part of travel, tourism and whiskey culture.”
The Hard Truth leadership team takes particular pride in this recognition, as it reflects their ongoing commitment to creating an experience where every guest is invited to Discover The Truth. Team members shared their reactions:
“This recognition reflects years of intentional development and a hospitality team that genuinely cares about creating memorable guest experiences,” said Chris Curtin, Hard Truth operations development manager.
“From the beginning, we wanted to create a distillery experience that captures what Hard Truth is all about,” said Jeff McCabe, Hard Truth founder and managing partner.
“To do that, we create experiences that connect with people in a meaningful way.”
Lara Hild-Doolan, who joined as general manager of Hard Truth Tours & Tastings Center in 2025, has been working with her team to fine-tune the guest experience with dedicated training and a keen awareness of Hard Truth’s constant drive to wow visitors.
“I was drawn to the Hard Truth hospitality team because of the out-of-the-box experiences they already had here on property,” said Hild-Doolan. “We are always listening to guest feedback which is why, over the next year, we are refreshing all of our tours to elevate our experiences even more and to give guests a new reason to visit Hard Truth,” she noted.
For more on Hard Truth guest experiences, visit hardtruth.com/visit-us/.
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Media Contact: Maisie Callcott, maisie@societymarcom.com
About Hard Truth Distilling Co.
Hard Truth Distilling Co. (est. 2015) is an industry leader in sweet mash whiskey production and a nationally recognized craft whiskey destination. Located in Brown County, Indiana amongst 325 acres of rolling hills, Hard Truth was named the No. 1 Destination Distillery in the U.S. by Distillery Trail in 2022.
Hard Truth also crafts premium spirits, including Hard Truth Toasted Coconut Rum and Hard Truth Cinnamon Vodka, and limited release barrel reserve spirits.
Its first grain-to-glass Sweet Mash Rye release debuted in 2021, earning a spot in Fred Minnick’s Top 50 American Whiskeys. Hard Truth Straight Bourbon Whiskey entered the market in 2024 to much acclaim, recognized by Robb Report as “one of the 50 Greatest Bourbons of the 21st Century (so far).”
In 2025, Hard Truth Sweet Mash Bourbon, High Road Rye and Sweet Mash Rye earned Gold Medals at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC). The Double Oaked Sweet Mash Single Barrel Rye also earned a Double Gold at the 2025 SFWSC.
Hard Truth products are distributed in more than 20 states and available online in more than 40 states. For more information, visit hardtruth.com.
