Hard Truth Whiskey built its name on the rugged spirit of rye, rolling through Indiana like a freight train. They didn’t just settle for being another whiskey—Hard Truth set out to make Indiana rye a thing, and they got the state to back it up. That’s how you know you’re doing something right, when you can get the state on your side. And after they kicked things off with rye, they turned their sights to bourbon, proving they weren’t just here to play—they were here to leave their mark.
Located in the heart of Brown County, in Nashville, Indiana, Hard Truth sits about 20 miles east of Bloomington, home to music legend John Cougar Mellencamp. Now, this isn’t just some coincidence. John’s son, Hud Mellencamp, decided to keep the family tradition alive in a different way, founding the Mellencamp Whiskey Company. Together, Hard Truth and Mellencamp Whiskey teamed up for something special—a series of whiskeys that are as bold as the American heartland itself.
American Odd is the 4th release in this collaboration, but it’s the first bottled in bond sweet mash bourbon in the series, making it something a little out of the ordinary—just like the way John’s music speaks to the soul. The whiskey is the product of a careful partnership between Hard Truth’s Master Distiller Bryan Smith, Hud Mellencamp, and Levi Collison of Mellencamp Whiskey. These three have created a batch of whiskey as wild and free as a Mellencamp guitar solo.
Each bottle from this series tells a story, with the labels featuring original artwork from John Cougar Mellencamp himself. American Odd is a painting created in 2020, 60″ by 48″, with house paint, oil, and charcoal on Masonite. It’s a piece of John’s heart—a tribute to American farmers, as real as the dirt on the boots of the men and women who till the land. If you’ve ever listened to “Pink Houses” or “Crumblin’ Down,” you know the kind of America he’s talking about—the kind that’s tough, gritty, and unrelenting.
Now let’s talk about the whiskey itself. This isn’t your average bourbon. The Spring 2025 American Odd Sweet Mash Bottled in Bond Straight Bourbon is distilled on a Vendome still, with 100% Indiana-grown grains. Most bourbons use three grains, but not American Odd—this one uses two: 82% corn and 18% rye. The corn comes from Doug Miller’s farm near Rushville, Indiana, while the rye is sourced from Dr. Duane Kuhlenschmidt in Evansville. This bourbon’s as Indiana as a tractor on a dirt road.
American Odd is batch of 33 barrels, aged for at least 4 years, and dumped on April 4, 2025. The distillate came off the still at 138 proof and entered the barrels at 113 proof. When it came time to barrel it up, Hard Truth and Mellencamp went with Independent Stave Company, opting for a #1 barrel char and a custom toast.
In true Bottled in Bond fashion, this bourbon’s bottled at exactly 100 proof, a nod to the 1897 law that made sure every bottle was as honest as a country tune. Does the Spring 2025 American Odd bottled in bond bourbon strike a chord with whiskey lovers, leaving ’em itching for a follow-up like a heartland anthem on a hot summer night? You know, the kind of spirit that makes you want to crank up the radio and ask, “Is that the best we’ve got, or is there more to come?” Well, let’s take a sip, sit back, and see if this release has the kind of staying power that makes you come back for more, just like the songs of John Cougar Mellencamp.
Hard Truth x Mellencamp American Odd Bourbon Review
The nosing experience opens with buttery English toffee, quickly followed by a hint of savory nutmeg. As the bourbon breathes, dried apricots and vanilla join in, adding depth to the aroma. The high-corn mashbill brings a noticeable sweetness to the nose, but it’s balanced just right, without being overwhelming.
On the palate, juicy plums take the lead, quickly meeting cinnamon. As the flavors develop, the bourbon transitions to angel food cake, followed by a vanilla note. The mouthfeel is medium-bodied—sweet but never too much, thanks to the corn-forward mashbill. The initial sweetness fades into a well-rounded finish, where almonds and black currants come through, followed by a closing touch of leather and black pepper that adds a bit of spice.
While I’ve always appreciated Hard Truth’s rye whiskey, their earlier bourbon releases didn’t quite capture my attention. I came into American Odd with low expectations, but I was pleasantly surprised. This bottle delivers a complex, balanced experience, especially considering it’s made with just two grains. It’s not often that a two-grain bourbon impresses this much, and American Odd has definitely earned a place in my collection. I’m genuinely impressed and will be reaching for it again.
100 proof.
A- / $70 / mellencampwhiskey.com
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