Review: Hard Truth RW1 Sweet Mash Rye 6 Years Old

Situated in the rolling hills of Brown County, Indiana, Hard Truth Distilling Co. calls the quaint tourist town of Nashville home. What began as a modest operation in 2015—distilling spirits in the upper rooms of the Big Woods Pizza Co. — has since grown into one of the most ambitious and respected distilleries in the Midwest.

In 2017, Hard Truth made a bold leap forward, breaking ground on a state-of-the-art distillery set on 325 wooded acres that resemble the rugged terrain of Appalachia more than the flat plains typical of Indiana. This picturesque setting is now home to DSP-IN-21053, the federally registered distillery number marking Hard Truth’s impressive growth.

The distillery hit the ground running with its signature rye whiskey, releasing Mashbill RW1 in 2021 — a high-rye expression that turned heads despite its youth. In 2025, the team — led by Master Distiller Bryan Smith — unveiled Batch #012 of Hard Truth Sweet Mash Rye, a six-year-aged straight rye whiskey and the distillery’s most mature release to date.

Batch #012 meets all qualifications for the “Indiana Rye” designation — a cause Hard Truth has proudly championed. Made from Mashbill RW1 (94% rye and 6% 2-row pale malted barley), the whiskey reflects the distillery’s commitment to distilling high-rye spirits with distinctive character.

The story of Hard Truth’s sweet mash approach begins in its earliest days, when Bryan Smith sought insight from Dr. Pat Heist and Shane Baker of Wilderness Trail Distillery in Danville, Kentucky. That formative meeting introduced Smith to the sweet mash process — an alternative to the traditional sour mash method common in Kentucky — and inspired Hard Truth to chart its own course.

At Hard Truth, open-top fermentation spans 3 to 5 days, using a proprietary yeast strain known for fermenting hot and fast in the first 24 hours. This method produces a beer rich in fruity esters, with a final abv of around 11.5% before distillation. The spirit is then run through a Vendome copper still, coming off at 138 proof.

Batch #012 is a carefully curated blend of 10 barrels, all distilled in early 2019. These barrels, sourced from Independent Stave Company, feature a custom toast and a #1 char. Aged in Rackhouse #002 — a structure capable of holding over 23,000 barrels — the whiskey matured for more than six years before being dumped on March 19, 2025. Each barrel yielded approximately 40 gallons of spirit, a testament to the evaporation losses and concentrated flavors that long aging can bring.

As the distillery’s most mature release yet, Batch #012 marks a significant milestone. So, does six years of maturation elevate this sweet mash rye to new heights? There’s only one way to find out. Let’s pour a glass and discover the truth.

Hard Truth RW1 Sweet Mash Rye 6 Years Old Review

After six years of maturation, the nose opens with unsweetened cocoa powder and savory nutmeg. Soon, dark brown sugar and ripe peaches join the bouquet, adding complexity without overwhelming the senses. While it doesn’t deliver the expected peppery hit up front, it offers a rich aromatic profile that culminates in a bright peach accent.

On the palate, pipe tobacco makes an immediate impression before gracefully giving way to grilled peaches. As the rye develops across the tongue, notes of black pepper and dark brown sugar round out the experience, carried by a satisfyingly full-bodied texture.

The finish returns to cocoa, followed by a prominent cherry cola note that slowly gives way to lingering black pepper. With additional age, Hard Truth’s character continues to sharpen, and this six-year-old Sweet Mash Rye RW1 stands as a clear testament to that progress.

Bryan Smith’s selection and blending of these ten barrels reflect a high level of skill and intention. This release is, without question, the most impressive whiskey yet to come out of Brown County, Indiana — and it’s a bottle well worth seeking out. The truth doesn’t always hard to be hard. The simple truth is that I can easily handle this Truth.

111.9 proof.

A / $80

The post Review: Hard Truth RW1 Sweet Mash Rye 6 Years Old appeared first on Drinkhacker: The Insider’s Guide to Good Drinking.