The Gospel Solera Australian Rye Whisky

Dan Murphy’s Australian Whisky tasting night. Of the six offerings this one was a standout for the evening which was a little bit of an erratic mix. N: thick stewed plum, allspice, toffee apple. Delicious stuff, clings to the nose and oozes flavour. P: 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. F: brown sugar, orange oil?, perfumed and fragrant with some grainy flavours and silky softness. Is that a curry flavour?! All the tastings tonight were blind and at first I thought I was drinking Archie Rose Rye Malt. The cardamon and anise like flavour with christmassy undertones were standouts, the same things I love in AR. This gospel packs a punch. Well developed and flavoursome but probably not something i would call refined. For forty dollars more I’d rather have the AR, but this is another cracking Australian Rye none the less. Australia and rye, who knew?! Distiller whisky taste #70

Smells like Xmas. Great festive drop. Lots of vanilla raisins and a hint of toasted nuts

Nose: Sweet, aromatic baking spices (caraway, cardamom). Clean, earthy cereal aromas, a little mint, caramel and rye bread. A hint of grape-flavoured candy cane and a whiff of good oak. Palate: Expansive, sweet, spicy arrival. Oak spices, apple, chocolate, caramel fudge, anise and cinnamon, a touch of orange zest. The texture is very pleasant and has good weight. It’s oily but silky with a fresh, crisp quality. There is noticeable progression on the palate as a second wave of spicy flavours emerges after the initial finish seems to have passed. Very satisfying. Finish: Long. Sweet initially but eventually turning dry as citrus zest and spice outlasts the toffee. This is a well-composed rye. Gospel Distillers are located in the inner-city suburb of Brunswick in Melbourne, Victoria. This spirit is produced from 100% unmalted Australian rye which is double-distilled then aged in a 5-tier solera system (this comprises a top criadera of virgin American oak barrels, intermediate criaderas of second-fill bourbon barrels, and a solera of ex-Australian red wine casks). This is aged for less than 2 years so it does not qualify as whisky under Australian law, hence the name being just "The Gospel Solera Rye". The listing title here is a little misleading, but as it qualifies as "whiskey" under U.S. law then does it matter? Hmm. Some young distilleries try a bit too hard, particularly with their initial releases. There can be a tendency to throw everything including the kitchen sink into the still in order to produce the most ostentatious spirit possible, and this can sometimes create a confused, ponderous whisky. Thankfully, The Gospel Distillers have avoided this temptation and instead have produced a crisp, clean spirit with a forceful profile and very good balance. It is pleasant sipped neat, but I enjoyed it more over a couple of rocks. However, it is in mixed drinks where this really shows its talent. I’m currently enjoying a Sazerac made with it and a rinse of Jade Esprit Edouard. The two spirits are equally matched with The Gospel in no way intimidated by the presence of the towering Jade absinthe. Bravo. It’s equally at home in a simpler mixed drink. A shot with a slice of orange, a rock and topped up with ginger ale is magic. One of the more enjoyable local whiskies I’ve tasted for a while, and I believe their Straight Rye is even better. Recommended. “Good” : 83/100 (3.5 stars)