The Gospel Straight Rye Whiskey has officially launched in the US. The whiskey arrives in the US after being met with praise in its local market as well as in France, Germany, the UK, Hong Kong, and China.
Launched in September 2019, The Gospel has already become incredibly popular amongst a seemingly cult following of rye whiskey fanatics – with all limited releases selling out within hours. The Gospel is the first Australian whiskey that is legally labeled as ‘Straight’ as it is made to the strict distillation and maturation process required that is typical of American whiskeys. Made of 100% Australian unmalted rye, the whiskey is double distilled and aged for two years in charred, new American oak barrels sourced from Kentucky, where the oak is obtained from a single forest.
The Gospel sources its rye grain from a single farm in the Murray Mallee region of South Australia, one of the driest regions of the driest country in the world. Coupled with Melbourne’s dynamic climate, the small and dense rye grain from this area produces a grain-forward whiskey that’s full of the cereal character of the soil from which it originated.
“We are thrilled to be launching our whiskey in the US,” says Andrew Fitzgerald, co-founder of The Gospel. “We believe we are perfectly marrying two cultures, and bringing our expertise to the forefront with a unique whiskey, one that is distinctly flavorful, with a grain-forward character and stronger oak influence. It is a true Melbourne whiskey that reflects the city of where it has been made, while paying homage to the heritage of rye whiskey in the States.”
The Gospel was founded with the US market in mind, and rye specifically was inspired by a trip that Fitzgerald and his co-founder Ben Bowles took to the US in 2016. They visited multiple distilleries from Kentucky to Washington, went to over 70 bars, and asked Americans what they were drinking and their thoughts on the next “big thing,” of which rye whiskey was consistently mentioned.
The Gospel aims to bring rye whiskey to the forefront of cocktail culture, to be used as the base for the classic drinks as they were originally created – from the Manhattan to the Old Fashioned and more. For its US launch, the brand worked with Orlando Marzo, who was named Best Bartender In The World in 2018. The Melbourne-based mixologiest created three unique cocktails that hero the Straight Rye Whiskey, demonstrating its versatility and exploring how rye whiskey can be enjoyed.
One of our personal favorites is the Rye Has Gone Bananas:
Rye Has Gone Bananas
Ingredients
50mL The Gospel Straight Rye Whiskey
25ml Banana Spiced Madeira Syrup
2 x Dashes Angostura Bitter
Orange Twist
Pour all the ingredients into a mixing glass, stir approximately 22-25 times. Strain into a pre-chilled rocks glass. Add ice bock and garnish with an orange twist.
Marzo’s Notes: The Banana Spiced Madeira Syrup can be made ahead of time and kept in the fridge for up to 14 days. Alternatively, you could substitute the syrup accordingly to different tastes. Rye has gone Bananas is best enjoyed late into the night.
Banana Spiced Madeira Syrup
Ingredients
250g Ripe Banana (cut in slices with skin on)
10g Chamomile
10g Allspice Berries (aka Jamaican Pepper)
100g Sugar500mL Madeira Demi Doux
Place ripe banana, Madeira Demi Doux, chamomile, allspice berries and sugar into a cooking pot. Bring to summer for 15 minutes then cover and let it cool down. Strain into a bowl using a muslin cloth. Bottle and store in the fridge for up to 14 days
The Gospel Straight Rye Whiskey is a full-flavored rye with medium body and intensity, which balances the rye spice and vanilla oak influence.
The Gospel is seeing its American debut with the Speakeasy Co. platform – a leading beverage alcohol e-commerce and fulfillment platform, who themselves recently announced a $2 million dollar seed round.
The Gospel Whiskey is priced at $50 per bottle and can be purchased via the brand’s official website.
