The Gospel Whiskey Projects Series Fortified Cask Whisky
This bottling is a high-proof version of straight rye that's been finished for an additional 8 months in three different styles of fortified wine cask: Apera, Chardonnay Tawny and fortified Semillon. Here, the fortified casks assert their influence over the rye without overpowering it, elevating the intense American oak with notes of dried apricot, lavender, Earl Grey tea and passionfruit curd. Every time I go back to this glass, I smell something new and could happily spend 15 minutes just nosing. The 52% is nicely subdued, and the bright spice of Aussie-grown rye grain pays off on the palate with toasted cumin seeds, a wonderful syrupy texture and plenty of sweet tea tannin to back it up through the finish. Finishing whiskies is often looked down upon in the whisky industry to make average stock seem special, but this is an excellent example of what can be achieved if it's done thoughtfully.
