Archie Rose Rye Malt Whisky

Update – August 28th 2024, a re-tasting based on Batch #7 All the prior comments and praise remain valid. Additionally, this batch exhibits more traditional rye characteristics (caraway and other seeds, dark bread, etc.). Nevertheless, the distillery has preserved the smoothness of earlier releases and enhanced it, elevating the spirit. Commendable. I'm not a significant admirer of Archie Rose. I perceive their current less expensive spirit offerings as prioritizing marketing over quality craftsmanship, particularly since the new distillery's launch. However, credit where it's due, they occasionally produce outstanding results, and this is certainly one of them. Please note – this re-taste is based on a Batch #7 bottle (bottle 1254/1973 to be exact) that I acquired in 2021 but have just opened. The mash bill is listed as "rye malt" while earlier batches indicated "rye malt/pale malt," suggesting barley was present. I'm unsure of their current batch number or mash bill composition. This batch was also distilled at the original facility. Oh, and the current price is the same as it was 3 years ago, so yes – nice work. Rating unchanged: "Excellent": 88/100 (4.5 stars) -------------------------------------------------- Australian Single Malt Whisky Tasting (Part 2), The Oak Barrel, Sydney 17 January 2020, Whisky #2 Nose: Initially sweet and delicate, with floral, herbal, and honeyed apricot notes. It rapidly gains complexity, revealing fresh oak, banana bread, subtle vanilla/caramel, and mild caraway and anise scents. The empty glass is very faint, holding only a whisper of toffee. This aroma profile resembles a well-sherried Speyside rather than a rye. Palate: Smooth and sweet, with gentle baking spices upon entry. Cinnamon and ginger, but not the fiery kind. There's no significant heat, but a slightly effervescent quality, like very mild bright spice or almost-sherbet citrus as it develops. Vanilla, caramel, mixed dried fruits with citrus peel and cherries are present. The texture is akin to a soft, comforting blanket. This is an exceptional palate. Finish: Medium. Caraway and dill seed, a trace of brine that dissipates into a semi-sweet aftertaste. I've created a new "generic" entry for this spirit. While Archie Rose releases it in limited batches, it's a staple product, and all batches appear consistent (I've sampled the initial batch previously and the fourth tonight, finding no discernible variations). However, what is undeniably different is the character of this intriguing whisky. I remember being surprised upon my first tasting, and it had the same impact this evening. Unless you have access to very uncommon spirits, I can assure you this is unlike any rye you have encountered. It's like a combination of 3/4 crisp, clean, sherry-matured scotch and 1/4 mellow bourbon, with just a touch of rye. It possesses almost no sharpness, bite, or aggressive spice, yet it is far from dull. It's a delicately sweet rye, elegant and unpretentious, bottled at a moderate alcohol content. The mash bill is undisclosed, but the creamy, honeyed notes stem not from a minimal rye proportion, but from the use of malted rye instead of unmalted rye in the mash. Essentially, this is a single malt crafted from a blend of Australian La Trobe barley and lightly kilned German rye, and it is absolutely delightful. I would even venture to call it one of the finest Australian whiskies I've sampled, and considering its accessible price point, I wholeheartedly recommend it. "Excellent": 88/100 (4.5 stars)

The Sydney Sandstone, locally called ‘yellow gold’, is the common name for the Sydney Basin Hawkesbury Sandstone. It seems fitting that the Sydney team at Archie Rose has crafted liquid gold, likely using water filtered through the Hawkesbury Sandstone. Yellow gold yields liquid gold. For geology enthusiasts, the pictured rock is Hawkesbury Sandstone, a formation known for shaping landscapes and buildings, originating 247 million years ago from ancient river deposits. While the geological impact on the Archie Rose water source is unknown, these porous rocks, containing iron carbonate and clays, likely contribute to what is considered a top-tier rye whisky globally. Nose: Notes of apricot, vanilla, oak, and a touch of honey. A distinct herbal spice runs through it, reminiscent of fennel or thyme. It possesses a strong, almost menthol or peppermint quality that invigorates the sinuses. Palate: Flavors of star anise, mild cinnamon, and ginger are prominent, alongside rich butter and smooth peaches. It offers both bright refreshment and a warming depth, like a dessert vanilla custard. Finish: The finish is long and delicately balanced with ginger and star anise, featuring a walnut-like oiliness. A sweet dessert palate transitions to a fruity, almost perfumed final note. As I explore more whisky, I seek nuance, uniqueness, and impactful bottles with a story that invite deep reflection, however pretentious that sounds. I've learned to disregard whisky awards and generic descriptions like 'smooth' as potentially misleading. While my experience with rye is limited, this whisky is truly exceptional. The 'world's best' accolades seem excessive, yet this may well deserve the highest praise. This whisky was a genuine surprise, offering remarkable depth, nuance, and delicacy, yet also being rich and incredibly moreish. Rather than contemplating geological time, I'm questioning the scarcity and the $120 price for what is arguably the finest rye whisky available. For what it's worth from this amateur's perspective, seek this out. Archie Rose Malted Rye is far from 'smooooooooth' but is a powerful, award-winning spirit that demands to be experienced. Batch No. 13 Bottle 1148/3000 Whisky taste #58

Appearance: deep copper Nose: vanilla, mint, oak, maple, citrus Palate: fresh and piney upon arrival, followed by rich, sweet vanilla, spice, and some citrus in the background Finish: long, with some herbaceous notes, butterscotch and oak spice Really enjoyable, complex dram.

This is presented as a midway point between malt and rye whiskies and it truly stands out here. Very smooth with sweet honey and oak. This is an excellent profile for a breakfast whisky (the folks at Sullivan’s Cove should take note). Well done, Sydney!

Honey notes with a rich, warm finish.

Pleasant. Caramel, oak, vanilla, and spice cake.