NASHVILLE, Ind. (March 31, 2026) – Hard Truth Distilling Co. has released its first Barrel Finish Reserve expression of 2026: French Oak Finished Bourbon.
Distilled using the sweet mash method, the limited, grain-to-glass whiskey blends two mash bills: Hard Truth’s straight bourbon and a unique, all-Indiana-grain bourbon. Each of the 23 barrels in this batch was aged in custom-toasted American oak barrels, blended, and then finished in toasted French oak casks. “The exciting part of bringing this bourbon to life is the unique opportunity to put our blending strategy and barrel-finished program together,” explained Hard Truth Barrel Manager Chris Moore.
“By selecting two complementary mash bills of our sweet mash bourbon, then finishing the whiskey in medium-plus toast char #1 barrels from one of the oldest cooperages in France, we were able to develop a complex and velvety bourbon that I think folks will truly appreciate from Hard Truth,” Moore concluded.
Every element in Hard Truth’s approach to whiskey-making is purposeful, allowing the time and care needed to create outstanding whiskeys. This release is no exception.
“This bold, sweet and elegant whiskey highlights our quality-first mindset,” added Master Distiller Bryan Smith, noting that the final step of giving the bourbon additional mellowing time in its original casks allowed the French oak notes to integrate more deeply. “This has quickly become THE favorite whiskey amongst the distillery crew.”
French Oak Finished Bourbon is currently available for purchase at the Hard Truth distillery campus and will start to appear in select retailers in the coming weeks.
About Hard Truth Barrel Finish Reserve Straight Bourbon Finished on French Oak:
23 barrels | Mash bills BW-1 (73% corn, 19% rye, 8% malted barley) and BW-5 (82% corn, 18% rye) | 106.1 proof (53.05% ABV).
- Color: Burnt amber
- Aroma: Apricot jam and buttered croissant open to lush honey and warming clove
- Taste: Sweet, candied fruit and buttered toffee build to warming rye spice and oak
- Finish: Warm, lingering notes of apricot and rich baking spice fade to cracked black pepper and bruléed sugar
About Hard Truth Distilling Co.
Hard Truth Distilling Co. (est. 2015) is an industry leader in sweet mash whiskey production and a nationally recognized craft 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 states. For more information, visit hardtruth.com.
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