Archie Rose Straight Rye Malt Whisky
Archie Rose Straight Rye Malt Whisky is where the Sydney distillery began — its first-ever whisky, released in September 2019 as Rye Malt Whisky and renamed for the 2026 core range. It is made entirely from Australian-grown heritage rye malts, including a landrace rye grown at Barellan in central New South Wales for over 70 years and found nowhere else on earth, and aged for at least three years in air-dried, charred virgin American oak in the maritime air of Sydney. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 46% (92 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Type: Australian Straight Rye Malt Whisky
- Distillery: Archie Rose Distilling Co., Sydney, Australia
- Grains: Australian Heritage, Vampire, and historic Bevy rye malts
- Casks: Air-dried, charred virgin American oak, minimum three years
The Story
Most rye whisky is built on grain rye; Archie Rose's is built on malted rye — and not just any rye. The mash draws on rare Australian heritage varieties, including the Barellan landrace that has adapted to droughts and floods over seven decades into a strain unique to its red-earth home, lending eucalyptus, shortbread, and cinnamon character. Malted rye plus virgin charred oak produces a rye that is richer and more confectionary than the lean, spicy American style, while keeping rye's aromatic lift. It is one half of the marriage inside the Archie Rose Australian Original Whisky, and the natural companion to the Archie Rose Single Malt Australian Whisky.
Tasting Notes
Per the distillery: it opens with caramelised banana and crushed peanuts, giving way to honey-coated macadamia nut, candied ginger, and freshly ground nutmeg. The palate brings maple syrup, homemade fudge, candied almonds, and toasted brioche. The finish turns spicier and drier — charred cinnamon, dried ginger, nougat, hazelnut butter, and roasted nutmeg.
How to Enjoy
Neat or on a large cube it drinks like a dessert-leaning rye; in cocktails it makes a superb Manhattan or Sazerac, where the virgin-oak richness and nutmeg spice carry through dilution.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Australian rye malt different from American rye?
Archie Rose uses malted heritage rye — including a landrace strain grown at Barellan, NSW for over 70 years — rather than the unmalted grain rye typical of American rye whiskey, giving a richer, more aromatic, confectionary style.
What casks is it aged in?
Air-dried, charred virgin American oak for at least three years, matured in Sydney's coastal maritime air.
How strong is it?
46% ABV (92 proof).
Order Archie Rose Straight Rye Malt Whisky online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego — the whisky that started Archie Rose.