Archie Rose Double Malt

Nose: Smells of marshmallow, banana, and bubblegum, with notes of freshly cut wood, stone fruits, oatmeal, vanilla cream, and caramel. As it rests, a hint of rye spice and Vegemite emerges. Palate: Enters sweet and smooth with an oily consistency. The development is gradual and subtle, revealing stewed fruits, cappuccino, and a touch of malted milk. It has a faint resemblance to bourbon. The mouthfeel is slick and creamy. Finish: Medium to short. It's sweet and fruity, not unpleasant, but finishes too quickly. Subsequent sips leave a slightly tart aftertaste. This spirit is quite new to the Australian market and represents the inaugural major release from the new Archie Rose distillery in Sydney. It's now among Australia's largest whisky producers, employing a production approach as intricate as Waterford's. Six distinct malt types, varied in strain, toasting, and fermentation, are distilled separately. These are then matured in various casks before being blended and solera-married. Their previous core offerings were a single malt and a hybrid malted rye, both quite good, especially the rye. These continue to be made, but this new spirit combines elements of those two. Essentially, it's a lighter blend of malted barley and malted rye spirits, aimed at bartenders and home use. Launched alongside a gin and vodka, these three form the distillery's "Fundamental Spirits" line. Frankly, this is a marketing move by Archie Rose to compete in a market dominated by imported drinks. Considering its purpose and price, it's a solid product that achieves its goals. However, compared to any Scottish single malt or blend, it's distinctly average. Keep in mind, this is intended as a cocktail whisky, so judge it accordingly. It exceeded my expectations for a mixer but I won't be drinking it neat or repurchasing it – it's just not compelling. Also, the label is among the worst I've encountered on any alcohol. Seriously, who signed off on such a dull design? It resembles the packaging for cheap cooking oil. "Above Average": 82/100 (3.25 stars)