NASHVILLE, Ind. (June 9, 2026) – Hard Truth Distilling Co. announces the release of its 2026 Barrel Finish Reserve Double Oaked Sweet Mash Rye.

Double Oaked Sweet Mash Rye doubles down on Hard Truth’s grain-to-glass approach to whiskey making, taking their original 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,” he concluded.

The release also nods to a refining shift for Hard Truth’s standard Sweet Mash Rye – as of early 2026, all new batches are bottled at a barrel entry proof of 113.

"We've always obsessed over quality analysis and our blending strategies for each mash bill, and there's a deep appreciation from Bryan and myself when we get to work with our Sweet Mash Rye since it has such a unique and delicious flavor profile,” explained Hard Truth Barrel Manager Chris Moore.

“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,” he noted.

Slated to coincide with the distillery’s Bourbon & BBQ Festival, this fan-favorite will hit Hard Truth shelves on Saturday, July 18, with broader retail distribution in the following weeks. It will be accompanied by a distillery-only single barrel release of an Amburana Finished Bourbon.

For enthusiasts, Hard Truth will host two Cask & Still Social events to preview Double Oaked Sweet Mash Rye and Amburana Finished Bourbon Single Barrel.

Each event includes custom cocktail and food pairings that highlight the featured spirits, and Hard Truth distillers and team members are on hand to conduct tastings and offer insights on the new whiskeys.

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.

About Hard Truth Barrel Finish Reserve Double Oaked Sweet Mash Rye:
Mash bill: 94% Rye, 6% Malted barley | 108.4 Proof | MSRP $69.99

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

About Hard Truth Distilling Co.
Hard Truth Distilling Co. (est. 2015) is an industry leader in sweet mash whiskey production and a nationally recognized 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. For more information, visit hardtruth.com.  

‍