Archie Rose Australian Single Malt Whisky Batch One (700ml)
Volume: 700ml ABV: 46% Age: No Age Statement Country: Australia
The Archie Rose distillery was first established in 2015 by Will Edwards who had taken inspiration from visits in 2012 to distilleries in New York and Brooklyn. Gaining knowledge from local distilleries in Tasmania and from some of the pioneers of Australian distilling (Bill Lark, Peter Bignell to name a few) Edwards enlisted Peter Bailly (Australia’s only still maker at that time) to hand build three copper pot stills which were powered by gas and used steam to heat the wash.
The key in the Archie Rose success story is the appointment of Dave Withers, Master Distiller. This was Dave’s first role as head of distilling and he had a lot to prove to his critics on not only how well he could distill but how innovative he could be. Producing a new style Australian whisky that was one day going to empower the world is not a task taken lightly by Dave or Edwards for that matter. The partnership has proved a huge success and one that we will look back on in decades and we will remember how it changed the Australian distilling culture and whisky scene. First batches have been very well awarded in both local and international levels.
On Wednesday 28th of September we witnessed the launch of the 1st Batch release of Archie Rose Single Malt Whisky. Crafted to highlight six malts, as opposed to the typical one or two used in most whiskies, each with a unique profile and character created a richer and more expressive flavour, full of distinct regional character. Matured predominantly in 100, 200 and 300-litre Australian Apera (sherry) casks, complemented by a selection of ex-bourbon and Archie Rose’s own 36-month air-dried ex-rye casks, each coopered with a specific balance of both char and toast – with the latter being unusual in the realm of distilling where the lower heat and longer duration toasting process penetrates further into the oak of the cask and offers an entirely different level of complexity than casks that only feature a more traditional char.
The natural sweetness of these casks complements the savoury charisma of the spirit, revealing fresh herbs, shortbread biscuits, raisins, toffee and dark chocolate on the nose. Meanwhile, the palate is luscious with well-integrated flavours of sticky date pudding and amaretto with a final note of espresso.
Archie Rose Master Distiller Dave Withers said: “It is our conviction that whisky starts life in the field, not the distillery, and a successful fermentation, distillation or maturation is only as good as the malt you start with. As distillers it is our duty to nurture the natural flavours of the malt and through innovative production methods highlight the broad spectrum of flavours that can be unlocked.”
Our Tasting Notes
Nose: Amaretto biscuits, coffee, grapefruit, aniseed, milk chocolate and pistachio.
Palate: Orchard fruits of peaches and apricots with toasted nuts, vanilla and bitter chocolate.
Finish: Rye bread, dark chocolate, toasted oak and almond meal.
Awards
Australia’s Best Single Malt Whisky at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition
The World Whisky Masters in London
SIP Awards in California.
