The Nashville based Hard Truth Distilling Co. has announced the launch of its third 2026 Master Distiller’s Reserve whiskey.

Hard Truth Dark Roast Rye Release (50% ABV) is a Bottled-in-Bond release comprising a 50/50 blend of straight rye whiskeys made from two mashbills: RW-3 (51% rye, 38% corn, 11% chocolate malted barley) and RW-4 (51% rye, 38% corn, 11% caramel malted barley).

For a whiskey to be classified as Bottled-in-Bond, it must meet the strict standards established by the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897. These include being the product of a single distillery and a single distillation season, being aged for a minimum of four years and bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV). The designation ensures consistency and authenticity, as well as a whiskey that speaks clearly to its origin – qualities that embody Hard Truth’s grain-to-glass approach to whiskey-making.

This latest release is the result of Hard Truth’s exploration of the diverse flavours of roasted malts used in the beer world, an approach it began in 2018. It is said to deliver notes of buttered toffee, custard, café mocha and clove on the nose, followed by butterscotch, Swiss chocolate, vanilla custard and rye spice on the palate.

Commenting on the launch, Chris Moore, Hard Truth Barrel Manager, said: “By combining our award-winning Caramel Malt Rye and Chocolate Malt Rye, the caramel malted barley and chocolate malted barley truly become the star ingredients that elevate Dark Roast Rye.”

Bryan Smith, Hard Truth Master Distiller, added: “The ability to create amazing flavours simply through the roasting of our grains to specific and prescriptive levels was intriguing and ultimately, very delicious.”

Hard Truth Dark Roast Rye Release will be available from September through selected retailers in the US, for a RRP of $59.99. It will also be the featured release at Hard Truth’s Harvest Festival on September 26th.