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)