Archie Rose, the renowned Australian distillery, has unveiled its latest limited release spirit, the Heritage Red Gum Cask Single Malt Whisky. This distinctive whisky has been aged in red gum casks dating back to the 1930s, adding a unique historical touch to the spirit.
During the Second World War, disruptions in the supply chain led Australian fortified wine producers to utilize native woods, including red gum, to age their Tawny, Apera, and Muscat. The eucalyptus wood imparted strong flavors, balanced by the rich fruity characters of the Sherry. Archie Rose managed to procure some of these historic casks, which have now been employed to age their latest release.
Head Distiller Dave Withers of Archie Rose was inspired by childhood stories from his father about these native wood casks. Withers recalls, “I have a clear memory of my dad talking about how, when he started out as a winemaker, there were stories he heard about fortified wine barrels being made from native eucalyptus timbers in the 1930s. Many years later, I heard from one of our coopers about a small parcel of wine casks that had an oddly red colour to the timber. I called my dad right away and told him what I had discovered. ‘Wow,’ he said. ‘That’s a piece of Australian history. Get those casks.'”
The Heritage Red Gum Cask Single Malt Whisky has been maturing for four years in these unique casks. Tasting notes for the whisky include a nose of raisins and bush honey with eucalypt and sandalwood undertones. The palate features glacé cherries and dried orange zest, with a lingering finish of milk chocolate, bush honey, and incense.
For Withers, this whisky encapsulates Archie Rose’s commitment to crafting quintessentially Australian spirits. He states, “Making Australian whisky is fairly personal for me. In some ways, it is about recapturing the heritage of distilling in Australia, which stretches back over 200 years but was rekindled in the 1990s. It is about expressing who we are as Australians in a drink that can be consumed and celebrated by other Australians.”
The Heritage Red Gum Cask Single Malt Whisky is available directly to consumers from the Archie Rose Bar & Cellar Door, with a retail price of $219.99 and a wholesale price of $160.27 excluding GST. Whisky enthusiasts can indulge in this unique blend that represents a piece of Australian history and the passion of Archie Rose in crafting exceptional spirits.
