Harvest Rye will be the first in a series of four collector’s series whiskeys
Nashville, Ind., Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2023 — Hard Truth Distilling Co., an award-winning whiskey distillery located in Brown County, Indiana, today announced a new Sweet Mash Rye whiskey project in collaboration with Mellencamp Whiskey Co.
The new partnership will include a four-part, limited collector’s series of Hard Truth’s award-winning Sweet Mash Rye Whiskey to be released in the spring and fall. The first release, called Harvest Rye will be officially launched at the Hard Truth distillery on Saturday, Sept. 9 during a special kickoff event. Harvest Rye will then be on sale immediately at the distillery and subsequently rolled out nationally to select retailers around the country from September through December.
Each release will feature a unique whiskey expression hand selected and blended by Hard Truth’s Master Distiller Bryan Smith, with input from Hud Mellencamp and Levi Collison from the Mellencamp Whiskey Co. Each bottle in the collector’s series will feature original artwork by John Mellencamp.
Harvest Rye will feature a new, yet-to-be-released mash bill from Hard Truth that utilizes 100 percent grains grown by the distillery’s Indiana farmer partners.
“By supporting and collaborating closely with our local farmers, we are able to offer the highest quality and hyper-regional flavor profile in our whiskeys,” said Smith. “It is our farmers’ dedication to sustainable farming that inspired us to create our new Grounded in Truth campaign that provides funding to educate others on how to grow the highest quality grains, while, at the same time being good stewards of the land.”
The partnership of Hard Truth and Mellencamp Whiskey just made too much sense not to happen. It was clear from their earliest discussions that they shared the same small-town roots, a fierce determination to make high-quality spirits, a longtime support of Indiana farmers, and a love of their hometowns.
Mellencamp Whiskey Co. — Sticking to their Hoosier roots
Mellencamp Whiskey Co. founders Hud Mellencamp and Levi Collison both share a love for whiskey and a passion for their home state and the people there who grow grains and craft whiskey from America’s heartland. Hard Truth’s Smith, as they learned later, lived less than a mile from Hud and Levi in the same small town of Bloomington.
“Our partnership with Hard Truth aligns perfectly with our values of supporting local farmers and sourcing high-quality local ingredients,” says Hud. “We are excited to begin our journey as an emerging whiskey brand partnering with such an innovative, like-minded whiskey partner right in our own backyard. When we started Mellencamp Whiskey, we knew we wanted to stick to our Hoosier roots.”
Grounded in Truth/Farm Aid
This year, Hard Truth formally launched its cause platform, called Grounded in Truth — created to celebrate and show appreciation for the small, independent, and heritage farmers who provide the carefully cultivated, quality grains that lay the foundation for Hard Truth’s spirits.
Under its Grounded in Truth banner, the distillery will be supporting agriculturally focused not-for-profit organizations, including Farm Aid, that provide valuable resources for and support for family farmers.
