Australia's Best Bartender, Tanguy Charbonnet, on Friendship, Rye & Our Barrel-Aged Louisiana Collab
Melbourne has a way of blending cultures together. Old friends from France, rye whiskey fanatics born in Melbourne, and a classic American cocktail — barrel-aged until it became something unmistakably its own.
The Gospel of Louisiana is an interpretation of the classic La Louisiana cocktail by Tanguy Charbonnet, Australia's Best Cocktail Bartender 2025, and Romain Le Quilleuc from La Madonna bar. Built around The Gospel Solera Rye and a bespoke sweet vermouth blend, it's a rich and elegant expression of one of rye whiskey's great classics.
When Tanguy and Romain approached us about this collaboration, it was an easy yes. La Madonna is known for its thoughtful approach to cocktails, and Tanguy has long been one of the most respected names in Australian bartending. But what made this feel like more than a collab was the story behind it, one that started long before any of us were in the same city.
We sat down with Tanguy to hear it in his own words.
Tanguy Charbonnet at La Madonna.
-- Take us back to the beginning. How did this collaboration come about?
Romain and I met while studying hospitality in Dinard, Brittany, at the beginning of our careers. We later worked together in Normandy and, although our professional paths evolved in different directions, we always stayed connected. Over the years, Romain developed a deep passion for wine while I immersed myself in spirits and cocktails.
At one point, Romain sent me a message encouraging me to move to Melbourne. That conversation ultimately sparked my Australian adventure and changed the course of my career. Years later, finding ourselves both established in Melbourne and collaborating on a project together felt like a natural continuation of that journey.
-- The Louisiana is a very specific choice of cocktail. What is it about this drink that felt right for this collaboration?
The Louisiana has long been one of my favourite classic cocktails and felt like the perfect foundation for this collaboration. It also carries a personal connection to Normandy through Bénédictine — one of its defining ingredients and a spirit that reminds us of a region that played an important role in both our lives. It felt right that a drink built on a friendship from that part of France would carry something of Normandy in the glass.
Tanguy putting The Gospel of Louisiana in the barrel for aging.
For this version, I wanted to create something unique while respecting the original structure of the drink. Rather than following the traditional proportions, I chose to balance the rye and vermouth in equal parts before barrel-ageing the cocktail, allowing the ingredients to integrate and develop additional depth and complexity over time.
-- Why The Gospel Solera Rye?
Using The Gospel Solera Rye was an obvious choice. It connects the drink to Melbourne and to a producer whose approach to rye whiskey reflects the same focus on character, craftsmanship and authenticity that inspired the project from the beginning.
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The Gospel of Louisiana two serves bottled for Next Hotel Melbourne.
The Gospel of Louisiana pours for a limited time, until sold out, at La Madonna and is available as part of the in-room dining experience at Next Hotel Melbourne.
A limited number of bottles (two serves) are exclusively available on our website. Shop here while stock last.
La Madonna
Floor 3/103 Little Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
MAIN PHOTO: Romain Le Quilleuc adn Tanguy Charbonnet
