Hard Truth Distilling Co. has announced the upcoming release of its third 2026 Master Distiller’s Reserve whiskey, Dark Roast Rye. The bottle will serve as the featured release at the distillery’s Harvest Festival in Nashville, Indiana, on Saturday, Sept. 26.
The new expression features a 50/50 blend of two previously released mash bills: Chocolate Malt Rye (RW-3) and Caramel Malt Rye (RW-4). Both base recipes utilize a grain blend consisting of 51% rye, 38% corn, and 11% of their respective specialty malted barley.
Dark Roast Rye is designated as a bottled-in-bond whiskey, meaning it was produced in a single distilling season at one distillery, aged for at least four years, and bottled at 100 proof under U.S. government supervision. The 25-barrel batch will be offered at a suggested retail price of $59.99 per bottle.
According to Master Distiller Bryan Smith and Barrel Manager Chris Moore, the release builds on grain-roasting experiments the distillery began in 2018 to extract flavors from roasted malts. Tasting notes for the 100-proof whiskey include aromas of buttered toffee and café mocha, palate notes of butterscotch and Swiss chocolate, and a finish of dark roast coffee, fudge brownie, and oak.
Hard Truth will host two preliminary tasting events ahead of the September launch: the Cask & Still Social in Nashville on Aug. 21 and the Whiskey Social at Bottleworks in Indianapolis on Aug. 28. Both preview events will feature food pairings, distiller presentations, and limited bottle sales.
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