Archie Rose Rye Malt Whisky

Archie Rose Rye Malt Whisky
AU$98, 46% ABV, Sydney.

I walked into a local (chain) bottle shop today (August 2026) and bought a 700ml bottle of this Archie Rose Rye Malt Whisky for AU$80. This was the Special Members Price, but membership is free. Given the taste of this whisky, and the mouthfeel, and the flow of the finish – not to mention it is Australia’s most internationally awarded rye whisky – there’s an argument to say that at full AU$98 RRP this is one of, if not the, best value Australian whisky on the market. At AU$80 it is Australia’s best value whisky – the only proviso being that you have to enjoy or be in the market for a rye. As is well known: this is made with malted rather than with unmalted rye (and malted barley), and is matured for three years in new or virgin American oak. The batch I bought was labelled B25.

The amount of wood character on the nose, in particular, is both significant and stunning. Butter, cream, roasted nuts and a distinct caramel fudge-like note results in one helluva delicious cloud of scent. The palate is more serious, and less woody, and has very good intensity, though when I say that it’s less woody: there’s still a butter-and-cream element, seductively so, matched to ginger, brine, smoked hay and roasted stonefruit characters. This is a bloody good Rye Whisky, full stop, and not just because it’s affordable. No wonder Chris Hemsworth is in on this action.

93 points – Campbell Mattinson.