Review: The Gospel Projects Legacy Rye Whisky

Luke McCarthy -
Whisky Reviews
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Get out and try this new Projects release from Melbourne’s The Gospel. Legacy Rye is a 3 year old straight rye whisky distilled from a mash bill of 59% Mallee rye, 35% Australian corn and 6% malted barley. It’s more reminiscent of Maryland style ryes, and fans of those vaunted American whiskies will find so much to like here.

  • The Gospel Projects Legacy Rye Whiskey
    The Stats
    • ABV: 56%
    • Price Band: $ $ $ $ $
    • Style: Rye whisky
    • Production Story: Distilled at The Gospel Distillery from a mash bill of 59% Mallee rye, 35% corn and 6% malted barley. Matured in four new American oak casks for three years and released June 2023. 1000 bottles in total.
    • Location: Melbourne, VIC
    • Score: 93
    Nose
    Caramel, and lots of it. Dill pickle, marmalade, buttered corn and a lovely biscuit note. With time, the fruit comes: peach core, lime and dates.
    Palate
    Obviously not as rye-forward as other Gospel releases, but what you do get is an incredible balance of flavours. The citrusy, dense rye spice you'd expect is still here, but it's now accompanied by a buttery, caramel creaminess from the corn. Seriously estery and fruity as it develops, which calls to mind some 8 to 12 year old American ryes. But this is three years old?! The cask treatment has been managed brilliantly. 56% ABV? You're kidding me.
    Finish
    Spice, liquorice and that creaminess persists right through the tail. Delicious.
    Comments
    Probably the best Australian whisky I’ve tried this year. It was a gamble to move away from the signature rye intensity The Gospel are famed for, but this retains all the complexity and will appeal to a broader audience who might not be as comfortable with intensely cereal-forward whiskies. Drinks like these guys have been making rye for decades. Seriously impressive.
How We Score
Luke McCarthy
Luke McCarthy is the editor and publisher of Oz Whisky Review. An independent writer, author and drinks columnist, Luke's written about whisky and spirits for numerous Australian and international publications and is a judge at the Australian Distilled Spirits Awards. His book, The Australian Spirits Guide, the first to tackle the history and resurgence of the Australian spirits industry, was published in 2016 by Hardie Grant Books.