The connection between distilled spirits and the Christian Church is much older — and much more intertwined — than many trendy observers notice. At the moment, some regard distilled spirits as standing in ethical opposition to Christian educating, but historical past tells a unique story. For hundreds of years, monasteries have been the crucibles by which the artwork of distillation was nurtured, preserved, and superior.
Monastic distillation reaches again a millennium, lengthy earlier than whiskey took something like its current type. Between the ninth and eleventh centuries, monks throughout Europe have been working early stills to create aqua vitae — not as a pastime, however as a medication. These first distilled liquids have been treatments, not refreshments. In monastic palms, distillation shifted from mysterious alchemy to a disciplined, repeatable craft. From the eleventh by way of the thirteenth centuries, monasteries turned facilities of experimentation the place treatises have been copied, methods refined, and concept lastly introduced into sensible mastery — whereas most of Europe nonetheless struggled to understand even primary fermentation.
The primary glimmer of whiskey’s lineage seems in a monastic ledger: in 1494, Brother John Cor of Lindores Abbey in Scotland acquired malt “to make aqua vitae,” a second well known because the earliest documentation of a spirit clearly on the evolutionary path towards whiskey. Within the monastic world, distillation started as therapeutic work however quickly turned a method of supporting the group. The sale of distilled spirits helped many monasteries stay financially impartial, and several other iconic liqueurs that endure as we speak originated as fundraising ventures. Chartreuse and Benedictine stand as residing examples of medicinal monastic distillation evolving into thriving business traditions.
As distilled spirits unfold past infirmaries and commenced to be consumed for pleasure reasonably than treatment (notably by the 14th–sixteenth centuries), the Church’s angle shifted. What had been a software for therapeutic turned a trigger for ethical scrutiny. By the 1600s — and particularly through the 1700s — robust, cheap spirits created seen social issues. In response, numerous Church leaders and reformers denounced consuming as damaging and spiritually compromising. Though distillation itself was by no means outlawed, its abuse turned a frequent goal of sermons and non secular commentary. The talk over ardent spirits has continued ever since: some Christians reject beverage alcohol outright, whereas others embrace its average use. Many Catholic parishes even host occasions reminiscent of “Beer & Bible” gatherings or “Theology on Faucet,” the place theological dialogue unfolds alongside a glass or two.
In opposition to this backdrop of centuries of stress, Burnt Church Distillery opened in Bluffton, South Carolina, in March 2021. Its placing design — full with stained glass — deliberately evokes the silhouette and environment of a church. In November 2025, the distillery launched Solus American Single Malt Whiskey. Solus, Latin for “alone” or “solitary,” echoes the language of monastic literature, the place phrases reminiscent of vivere solus (“to stay alone”) and solus cum Solo / solus cum Deo (“alone with God”) seem steadily. With Solus, Burnt Church Distillery provides a tribute to the contemplative monastic custom and to the early historical past of distilled spirits.
Although the distillery has already earned reward for its releases, Solus is its first whiskey distilled completely on-site. Earlier choices have been contract-distilled in Kentucky in accordance with Burnt Church’s specs. Solus, nonetheless, is wholly produced in Bluffton by Head Distiller Peter Thompson. It’s distilled from 100% 2-row winter malted barley grown at Weathers Farms close to Cow Tail, South Carolina, and malted by Palmetto Malt in St. George. After a roughly 48-hour closed-top fermentation, the mash was distilled on a 14-inch Vendome column nonetheless. The uncooked spirit got here off the nonetheless at 131.3 proof and entered barrels at 120 proof.
Though Burnt Church now lays down 53-gallon barrels, its early manufacturing relied on smaller 15-gallon casks. Solus was aged in these 15-gallon barrels, which had beforehand held Anita’s Selection bourbon for two–2.5 years. To reduce bourbon affect on the growing single malt, the barrels have been allowed to dry completely earlier than refill. Initially coopered with a #2 char and medium toast by The Barrel Mill, the 12 barrels destined for Solus have been stuffed on November 30, 2021, and emptied on November 19, 2025 — simply two days wanting 4 full years of getting older. Earlier than decreasing to 105 proof for bottling, the pure proof averaged 121.5. Burnt Church’s Chris Crowe famous an uncommon element: whereas the distillery’s barrels usually lose proof over time, the Solus barrels gained proof as a substitute.
Small-format barrels usually yield youthful whiskey that leans harsh and tannic, which has understandably led many fanatics to method such releases with warning. But Burnt Church has repeatedly demonstrated a uncommon means to information small-barrel getting older towards refinement reasonably than aggression — arguably extra efficiently than some other American distillery using this methodology. With Solus, its first absolutely in-house whiskey, the query naturally arises: did Burnt Church as soon as once more handle to coax high quality from small casks?
Let’s discover out.
Solus American Single Malt Whiskey Evaluation
The aroma opens with a pronounced notice of Honey Nut Cheerios, adopted by nutmeg that brings a modest spice character. Because the profile broadens, buttercream frosting joins with the scent of a superbly baked buttery pie crust. On condition that this whiskey spent basically 4 years in a 15-gallon barrel, it’s placing how free it’s from any signal of extra oak. Nothing within the aroma betrays using small-format casks.
The primary sip recollects Nilla Wafers together with a flippantly floral trace of honeysuckle. The middle of the tasting introduces hints of Bazooka bubble gum and vanilla Tootsie Rolls, making a path that leans candy but very fulfilling. For a column nonetheless spirit, the feel carries notable substance and viscosity. As with the aroma, the flavour avoids the cruel tannins so usually related to 15-gallon barrels.
The end arrives with a powerful wave of clover honey, then shifts to delicate cinnamon gum and toasted walnuts. Burnt Church has repeatedly proven an adept hand with small-format barrels, and every new launch challenges the idea that such casks restrict potential. If Solus had been matured in conventional 53-gallon barrels, it might already stand as a commendable American single malt; attaining this character by way of 15-gallon barrels makes the outcome much more noteworthy.
At 105 proof and priced at $42, Solus stands out as a dependable, low-risk buy that delivers constant satisfaction. Burnt Church Distillery continues to ascertain itself as one of many nation’s most expert operators when working with small-format maturation.
105 proof.
B+ / $42
Solus American Single Malt Whiskey
USD42
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