Almost six years between additions to the permanent range. The Gospel clearly wasn’t in a rush.
The Melbourne distillery has released Bonded Rye, a new core whiskey that takes its American influences seriously while keeping its grain firmly Australian.
The Gospel describes it as Australia’s first Bottled in Bond whiskey. For this release, that means distillation in a single season, at one distillery, by one distiller, followed by more than four years of maturation and bottling at 100 proof, or 50% ABV.
Master Distiller Ian Thorn is behind the spirit, made with 100% Australian rye grown by a single farmer in South Australia’s Murray Mallee. The region’s harsh conditions produce small, dense grain, giving the whiskey a connection to its source that starts well before the barrel.
“This is the most deliberate whiskey we’ve ever made,” says cofounder Andrew Fitzgerald.
The distillery’s tasting notes suggest plenty to spend time with: toffee apple, caraway, dark rye bread and fennel seed on the nose, followed by pepper, chai spice, vanilla and sweet pastry on the palate. A full finish carries the pepper through.
Bonded Rye joins Solera Rye and Straight Rye as a permanent fixture. For anyone who has missed one of The Gospel’s limited releases, that’s welcome news. This one is sticking around.
The Gospel Bonded Rye
50% ABV
Available through The Gospel and selected independent retailers.
Images supplied.