The Gospel Solera Australian Rye Whisky

Smell: Sugary, fragrant baking spices like caraway and cardamom. Clear, earthy grain scents, a touch of mint, caramel, and rye bread. A faint grape-flavored candy cane and a whisper of good oak. Taste: Broad, sweet, spicy opening. Oak spices, apple, chocolate, caramel fudge, anise, and cinnamon, with a hint of orange zest. The feel is quite pleasant and has good substance. It is oily yet smooth with a fresh, crisp quality. A second wave of spicy flavors emerges after the initial finish seems to have passed, showing noticeable progression on the palate. Very fulfilling. End: Lingering. Sweet at first but eventually becomes dry as citrus zest and spice overpower the toffee. This is a well-crafted rye. A distillery is located in the inner-city suburb of Brunswick in Melbourne, Victoria. This spirit is made from 100% unmalted Australian rye which is double-distilled and then aged in a 5-tier solera system (this includes a top tier of virgin American oak barrels, intermediate tiers of second-fill bourbon barrels, and a solera of ex-Australian red wine casks). This is aged for under 2 years so it doesn't qualify as whisky by Australian standards, hence the name is simply "The Gospel Solera Rye". The listing title here is slightly misleading, but as it qualifies as "whiskey" by U.S. law then does it matter? Hmm. Some new distilleries try too hard, especially with their first releases. There can be a tendency to put everything imaginable into the still to make the most flashy spirit possible, and this can sometimes result in a muddled, heavy whisky. Fortunately, this distillery has avoided this urge and instead has created a crisp, clean spirit with a strong character and very good harmony. It is nice sipped straight, but I liked it more over a couple of rocks. However, it is in mixed drinks where this truly shines. I’m currently enjoying a Sazerac made with it and a rinse of a French absinthe. The two spirits are equally matched with this rye in no way intimidated by the presence of the towering absinthe. Well done. It is just as good in a simpler mixed drink. A shot with a slice of orange, a rock, and topped with ginger ale is fantastic. One of the more enjoyable local whiskies I’ve had in a while, and I think their Straight Rye is even better. Recommended. “Good”: 83/100 (3.5 stars)

From a Dan Murphy's Australian Whisky tasting night. Among the six samples, this one stood out for the evening, which had a somewhat erratic assortment. Nose: thick stewed plum, allspice, toffee apple. Delicious stuff, it clings to the nose and oozes flavor. Palate: cardamom, slight anise, caramel, muddled mint from the bottom of a mojito glass, dark rye bread, and an overall feeling of a Christmas card with a fire in the hearth and mince pies fresh from the oven. Finish: brown sugar, orange oil?, perfumed and fragrant with some grainy flavors and silky softness. Is that a curry flavor?! All the tastings tonight were blind, and at first, I thought I was drinking Archie Rose Rye Malt. The cardamom and anise-like flavor with Christmasy undertones were standouts, the same qualities I appreciate in AR. This whiskey packs a punch. Well developed and flavorful, but likely not something I'd call refined. For forty dollars more, I'd prefer the AR, but this is another excellent Australian Rye nonetheless. Australia and rye, who knew?! #70 in a series of distiller whisky tastes.

The aroma is sweet, caramel, and slightly fudgy, with a delicate floral note. It has been double distilled. To taste, it's smooth and oily; that fudge flavor is intense, like caramel taken to its extreme and then infused with alcohol. It's slightly spicy at the end, keeping you warm, like a big whiskey hug.

This was unexpected. The label suggested it be mixed, so my expectations were low. It's very drinkable neat. The aroma is striking and doesn't seem to match the flavor. It's quite delicious and sweet. I can't pinpoint the Rye, but it's very pleasant.

Smells like Christmas. A delightful festive spirit. Abundant vanilla, raisins, and a touch of toasted nuts

Caramel, honey. A pleasant, sweet spirit. Best enjoyed neat.