Onerous Reality Whiskey constructed its title on the rugged spirit of rye, rolling by means of Indiana like a freight prepare. They didn’t simply accept being one other whiskey—Onerous Reality got down to make Indiana rye a factor, they usually acquired the state to again it up. That’s how you’re doing one thing proper, when you will get the state in your aspect. And after they kicked issues off with rye, they turned their sights to bourbon, proving they weren’t simply right here to play—they have been right here to depart their mark.
Positioned within the coronary heart of Brown County, in Nashville, Indiana, Onerous Reality sits about 20 miles east of Bloomington, dwelling to music legend John Cougar Mellencamp. Now, this isn’t just a few coincidence. John’s son, Hud Mellencamp, determined to maintain the household custom alive another way, founding the Mellencamp Whiskey Firm. Collectively, Onerous Reality and Mellencamp Whiskey teamed up for one thing particular—a collection of whiskeys which can be as daring because the American heartland itself.
American Odd is the 4th launch on this collaboration, nevertheless it’s the primary bottled in bond candy mash bourbon within the collection, making it one thing slightly out of the odd—identical to the way in which John’s music speaks to the soul. The whiskey is the product of a cautious partnership between Onerous Reality’s Grasp 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.
Every bottle from this collection tells a narrative, with the labels that includes authentic paintings from John Cougar Mellencamp himself. American Odd is a portray created in 2020, 60″ by 48″, with home paint, oil, and charcoal on Masonite. It’s a chunk of John’s coronary heart—a tribute to American farmers, as actual because the filth on the boots of the women and men who until the land. When you’ve ever listened to “Pink Homes” or “Crumblin’ Down,” the sort of America he’s speaking about—the type that’s robust, gritty, and unrelenting.
Now let’s speak in regards to the whiskey itself. This isn’t your common bourbon. The Spring 2025 American Odd Candy Mash Bottled in Bond Straight Bourbon is distilled on a Vendome nonetheless, with 100% Indiana-grown grains. Most bourbons use three grains, however not American Odd—this one makes use of two: 82% corn and 18% rye. The corn comes from Doug Miller’s farm close to Rushville, Indiana, whereas the rye is sourced from Dr. Duane Kuhlenschmidt in Evansville. This bourbon’s as Indiana as a tractor on a dust highway.
American Odd is batch of 33 barrels, aged for no less than 4 years, and dumped on April 4, 2025. The distillate got here off the nonetheless at 138 proof and entered the barrels at 113 proof. When it got here time to barrel it up, Onerous Reality and Mellencamp went with Impartial Stave Firm, choosing a #1 barrel char and a customized toast.
In true Bottled in Bond vogue, this bourbon’s bottled at precisely 100 proof, a nod to the 1897 legislation that made positive each bottle was as sincere as a rustic tune. Does the Spring 2025 American Odd bottled in bond bourbon ring a bell with whiskey lovers, leaving ’em itching for a follow-up like a heartland anthem on a sizzling summer time night time? You realize, the sort of spirit that makes you need to crank up the radio and ask, “Is that one of the best we’ve acquired, or is there extra to return?” Nicely, let’s take a sip, sit again, and see if this launch has the sort of endurance that makes you come again for extra, identical to the songs of John Cougar Mellencamp.
Onerous Reality x Mellencamp American Odd Bourbon Overview
The nosing expertise opens with buttery English toffee, rapidly adopted by a touch of savory nutmeg. Because the bourbon breathes, dried apricots and vanilla take part, including depth to the aroma. The high-corn mashbill brings a noticeable sweetness to the nostril, nevertheless it’s balanced excellent, with out being overwhelming.
On the palate, juicy plums take the lead, rapidly assembly cinnamon. Because the flavors develop, the bourbon transitions to angel meals cake, adopted by a vanilla be aware. The mouthfeel is medium-bodied—candy however by no means an excessive amount of, due to the corn-forward mashbill. The preliminary sweetness fades right into a well-rounded end, the place almonds and black currants come by means of, adopted by a closing contact of leather-based and black pepper that provides a little bit of spice.
Whereas I’ve at all times appreciated Onerous Reality’s rye whiskey, their earlier bourbon releases didn’t fairly seize my consideration. I got here into American Odd with low expectations, however I used to be pleasantly shocked. This bottle delivers a fancy, balanced expertise, particularly contemplating it’s made with simply two grains. It’s not typically {that a} two-grain bourbon impresses this a lot, and American Odd has positively earned a spot in my assortment. I’m genuinely impressed and can be reaching for it once more.
100 proof.
A- / $70 / mellencampwhiskey.com
Onerous Reality x Mellencamp American Odd Bourbon
USD70
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