Hard Truth Distilling Co. will soon release its 2026 Barrel Finish Reserve Double Baked Sweet Mash Rye Whiskey. (The name is a mouthful, can’t wait to see how it tastes!)
The Nashville, Indiana distillery said the new release will take its Sweet Mash Rye “the extra mile with a secondary finish in barrels from the West Virginia Great Barrel Company.”
“Our Double Oak releases each year allow us to show not only the variability in the original barrels, but also in the secondary barrels,” said Hard Truth Master Distiller Bryan Smith. “These finishing barrels have brought not only a unique barrel sweetness to the liquid, but also a long, rich, spicy finish. Along with a neat pour and a cigar, I suggest enjoying this whiskey in your favorite Manhattan or Boulevardier cocktail recipe.”
“When it comes to Sweet Mash Rye, we've discovered throughout years of evaluations that the brightest and richest flavor profile shines through at 113 entry proof. So, to celebrate that, we also proofed the 2026 Double Oaked Sweet Mash Rye to 113 before placing it in new charred oak barrels in order to allow that flavor profile to create its magic in a double oaked release.”
Hard Truth Barrel Finish Reserve Double Oaked Sweet Mash Rye
Mash bill: 94% Rye, 6% malted barley.
SRP: $69.99
Tasting Notes (from the distillery):
- Appearance: Tawny.
- Aroma: Lush notes of stone fruit and vanilla lead to deep rye spice and subtle mocha notes.
- Palate: Bright cherry and peach balance with buttery oak, toffee, and cracked black pepper.
- Finish: Long and warming, with dark, sweet cherry notes that fade to dark chocolate and toasted oak.
Availability: A limited number of bottles of both Double Oaked and Amburana Finished Bourbon will be available for early purchase at these events.
The first is this Friday, June 12 at Hard Truth Distilling Co. in Brown County, and the second is Thursday, June 18 at Hard Truth’s Bottleworks location in Indianapolis.
For more information on upcoming Hard Truth events, including Bourbon & BBQ Festival, click HERE.
Source: Hard Truth Distilling Co.
About Hard Truth Distilling Co.
(From the distillery) Hard Truth Distilling Co. (est. 2015) is an industry leader in sweet mash whiskey production and a nationally recognized craft whiskey destination. Located in Brown County, Indiana amongst 325 acres of rolling hills, Hard Truth was named the No. 1 Distillery Tour 2026 by Newsweek. Hard Truth also crafts premium spirits, including Hard Truth Toasted Coconut Rum and Hard Truth Cinnamon Vodka, and limited release barrel reserve spirits.
Its first grain-to-glass Sweet Mash Rye release debuted in 2021, earning a spot in Fred Minnick’s Top 50 American Whiskeys. Hard Truth Straight Bourbon Whiskey entered the market in 2024 to much acclaim, recognized by Robb Report as “one of the 50 Greatest Bourbons of the 21st Century (so far).”
In 2025, Hard Truth Sweet Mash Bourbon, High Road Rye and Sweet Mash Rye earned Gold Medals at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC). The Double Oaked Sweet Mash Single Barrel Rye also earned a Double Gold at the 2025 SFWSC.
Hard Truth products are distributed in more than 20 states and available online in more than 40 states. For more information, visit hardtruth.com.
