Sweet Mash Special Reserve

Sweet Mash Special Reserve Launch Party Set for Saturday, April 6 at Hard Truth Distilling Co. 

Nashville, IN (March 21, 2024) – Hard Truth Distilling Co., an award-winning craft distillery located in Brown County, Indiana announced the introduction of Sweet Mash Special Reserve — the second in a series of four collectible whiskeys in collaboration with Mellencamp Whiskey Company.

Sweet Mash Special Reserve will be officially introduced on Saturday, April 6 at the Hard Truth distillery campus, starting with a bottle signing by the makers at 10 a.m. that day — part of a full weekend of live music and events leading up to a party celebrating the Monday, April 8 total solar eclipse. 

Like Harvest Rye before it, and each of the four collector’s series whiskeys from Hard Truth and Mellencamp Whiskey, Sweet Mash Special Reserve features a unique whiskey expression created by Hard Truth’s Master Distiller Bryan Smith with Hud Mellencamp and Levi Collison, the co-founders of Mellencamp Whiskey Co.

Each bottle’s label in the series features original artwork by John Mellencamp. Sweet Mash Special Reserve showcases a 1991 painting called American Boy And Girl. The two figures in the oil-on-canvas are a nod to the composition of Sweet Mash Special Reserve, which brings two very different whiskeys together in one bottle.

According to Smith, the new Mellencamp Whiskey Co. expression is a perfect marriage of Hard Truth’s Chocolate Malt Rye and Sweet Mash Bourbon, which has then been rested on toasted Amburana, a Brazilian wood that has seen recent popularity in finished whiskeys. 

“Sweet Mash Special Reserve builds beautifully on our mission to produce great whiskeys in collaboration with Hard Truth and the local farmers that will produce the highest quality regional flavor profiles,” said Hud Mellencamp. 

Sweet Mash Special Reserve will be available at the Hard Truth distillery campus starting Saturday, April 6, and out in the greater market over the weeks following. It is 106 proof (53% ABV) with an suggested retail price of $69.99.

As for Harvest Rye, the first collaboration whiskey from Hard Truth and Mellencamp Whiskey, it’s all been shipped out, though a limited quantity of bottles are still available for stores to reorder through distributors. Collison said once it’s gone, it’s gone for good, although he admitted keeping a few in his collection that will be “sipped slowly.”

“The success of Harvest Rye has us energized for our second release and the amazing whiskey that’s coming next,” said Collison. “Sweet Mash Special Reserve is an exceptional new whiskey, and fans of the first release will love this one.”

About Mellencamp Whiskey Co.

Mellencamp Whiskey Co. has partnered with Hard Truth Distilling Co. to release a limited series of collectible sweet mash whiskeys in support and celebration of America’s heartland farmers. This collaboration is founded on the deep friendship between the founders of Mellencamp Whiskey Company, Hud Mellencamp, Levi Collison, and the Head Distiller of Hard Truth Distilling Co., Bryan Smith.

Hud’s connection to farming communities runs deep as he is the son of one of the founders of Farm Aid, a charity that assists farmers across America. In keeping with this tradition, Hard Truth established the Grounded in Truth initiative, which supports local farmers in collaboration with Farm Aid. This commitment to supporting local farmers and sourcing top-notch ingredients perfectly aligns with their values.

Together, the two companies are producing whiskeys that are crafted with the finest locally sourced ingredients, a testament to their shared values and dedication to their beloved home state. They eagerly look forward to sharing this unique collaboration with whiskey enthusiasts worldwide.