Hard Truth Double Oak Sweet Mash Rye Whiskey Review.

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Hard Truth Double Oak Sweet Mash Rye Whiskey


Hard Truth has been one of the most exciting distilleries coming out of southern Indiana, not only for their quality but for their advocacy in establishing “Indiana Rye” as a recognized classification. From the first time I tried their gin, I’ve been hooked, and since then I’ve made it a point to chase down their limited releases whenever possible. This Sweet Mash Double Oaked Straight Rye immediately had my attention. A five-year age statement, bottled at barrel proof, and finished in a secondary charred cask? That is a recipe that speaks directly to everything I love about double oaked rye.

    This expression starts with a 94% rye, 6% malted barley mash bill. It is produced using a sweet mash process, meaning each fermentation begins fresh rather than incorporating backset from a previous run. After initial aging, the whiskey is transferred into a second charred barrel, where it rests long enough to bring the total age to at least five years. The batch consisted of just 18 barrels, making it a relatively limited release that moved quickly once it hit shelves.


For the full video review visit the link here: https://youtu.be/zKYxFx-bZxk.

Age Statement: +2 years. 

ABV: 53.45% (Cask strength).

Mash bill: 94% Rye, 6% Malted Barley.

Area of Distillation: Nashville, Indiana.

Finishing: Secondary oak casks for +3 years.

Appearance: Tawny.


On the nose:
    The aroma is bold and immediately oak-forward. Dark chocolate, heavy char, and rich caramelized brown sugar rise out of the glass. Creamy vanilla, almost like Madagascar vanilla bean paste, weaves through layers of cinnamon stick and clove. Beneath the darker tones, there’s a welcome brightness of orchard and stone fruits, apricot, peach, and a touch of green apple. A subtle cherry note appears as the glass pulls away, adding an extra dimension. There is warmth from the proof, but no harshness or youthful bite.


Taste:
The mouthfeel is rich and coating, yet surprisingly less hot than the nose suggests. Deep oak and char dominate early, followed by milk chocolate and dark caramel. The fruit character expands into apricot and peach, supported by orchard sweetness. Brown sugar and vanilla build into a luscious mid-palate. The rye spice is present but often dances just behind the curtain of oak, offering cinnamon, clove, and a faint herbal-dill note that flickers in and out.


Finish:
The finish is long, warm, and gently peppery. Rye spice resurfaces with baking spices and a soft herbal edge. Importantly, it never turns drying. Instead, it remains sweet, rich, and layered until the final fade.


Final Thoughts: 
    At around $78–$80, this is an exceptional value for a barrel proof double oaked rye of this caliber. It delivers exactly what I hoped for: dark oak intensity, creamy sweetness, and just enough rye spice to remind you what’s in the glass.

    If I were to nitpick, I might wish for a slightly louder rye spice presence. But that is splitting hairs. This is a bold, confident pour that stands toe-to-toe with some of the biggest names in the double oaked rye category.


Rating: A (Excellent).

Cost: $76.99 for 750ml.

For the full video review visit the link here: https://youtu.be/zKYxFx-bZxk.

Social platforms to follow me: https://linktr.ee/thelastcallyt.

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