LOCAL

Indiana rye whiskey gets its own designation

Carol Kugler
The Herald-Times

When you think bourbon, you think Kentucky. Legislation that takes effect July 1 aims to elevate Indiana rye whiskey to that same level of recognition.

The bill, authored by state Rep. Chris May, R-District 65, which includes parts of Monroe County and Bedford, will allow local distillers to market their spirit across the U.S. with a label identifying it as being genuine Indiana rye.

Two partners of Hard Truth Distilling Co. in Nashville, Indiana — Jeff McCabe and Ed Ryan — proposed the initial legislation to Rep. May in 2020.

Hard Truth's master distiller Bryan Smith, a partner at the Nashville distillery, also was involved in the process that led to the passage of House Enrolled Act 1396, which contains House Bill 1409.

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Bourbon vs. rye whiskey

"Indiana has been making some of the best rye whiskey for years," Smith said, adding few people realize that the distillery in Lawrenceburg, now known as MGP Ingredients, was once owned by Seagram, and has produced some of the world's best rye whiskeys.

Smith said rye whiskey differs from bourbon whiskey in the main grains used — rye versus corn — as well as in the taste and also in the difficulty of working with the grain. He believes rye is a more difficult grain to work with, but can yield some great whiskey.

To meet federal regulations, rye whiskey must be made of at least 51% rye and stored in charred new oak barrels. The Indiana law requires charred white oak barrels. Federal regulations also state the rye whiskey must be distilled at no greater than 160 proof and placed in a barrel at no more than 125 proof.

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May said in an email that his bill, House Bill 1409, aligned Indiana rye whiskey with federal standards for advertising, labeling and selling of the spirit. 

"While many distillers follow these guidelines, establishing a statewide standard can help Indiana cultivate a market similar to what Kentucky has with its bourbon," May wrote. "Hoosiers could one day be known as much for their rye whiskey as we are for basketball, racing and popcorn."

Besides following the federal requirements, the state regulation stipulates Indiana rye whiskey must be mashed, fermented, distilled and then rested in a rack house for at least two years within the state of Indiana.

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Indiana craft distilleries

Hard Truth is one of more than 20 distilleries in Indiana crafting spirits including whiskey.

Another area craft distillery that is creating whiskeys is Cardinal Spirits in Bloomington. While Cardinal Spirits does not have a rye whiskey on its current list of spirits, co-founder Jeff Wuslich said there should be one ready for customers by 2022 that will meet the standards to have the Indiana rye whiskey designation.

"We have followed (those regulations) for our ryes in the past," Wuslich said.

"I always think it's great when Indiana gets recognition for some of the great products that we have made," he said. "Some of the best rye in the world comes out of Indiana and I'm excited for people to try it and start to love it."

Wuslich encouraged anyone who hasn't tried rye whiskey recently, to taste it soon, adding that "any cocktail that's usually made with bourbon is better with rye."

To celebrate the new Indiana rye whiskey label, Hard Truth will release its second rye whiskey, Hard Trust Indiana Straight Rye Whiskey, on Saturday, July 3, as part of the company's celebration from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Smith will be onsite from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. to autograph bottles.