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By Archie Rose

Archie Rose’s Rye Malt Whisky Wins Rye Whisky of the Year at the 2026 London Spirits Competition

Archie Rose is proud to announce that our Rye Malt Whisky has been crowned the Rye Whisky of the Year (and awarded a Gold medal with an exceptional score of 93 points) at the 2026 London Spirits Competition held in London, United Kingdom.

The London Spirits Competition is one of the world's premier spirits events, judged by a highly esteemed panel of commercial experts, top-tier spirits buyers, and independent hospitality professionals. Unlike competitions that look solely at the liquid in a vacuum, this rigorous event evaluates entries across three strict consumer-focused benchmarks: quality, value for money, and packaging design.

Outperforming a fierce global field, our flagship rye secured a stellar score of 93 points. This prestigious win marks the fourth time our Rye Malt Whisky has been recognized as the world's best, solidifying its place at the pinnacle of the global spirits landscape.

Product Specifications

ABV: 46%

Grain Bill: Three distinct rye malts (100% sourced from local Australian growers) and heritage pale malted barley.

Aging Process: Matured in virgin American oak casks, air-dried for 36 months, then custom toasted and charred to build unparalleled depth.

Terroir: Distilled and matured in Sydney’s humid, maritime climate, utilizing an individual malt stream process to capture the raw essence of the Australian fields.

Master Distiller, Dave Withers shares -

In years gone by, our Rye Malt Whisky has achieved some truly remarkable wins. Achieving the 2026 Best Rye Whisky award truly recognises our deep focus on quality, which we achieve through careful custom cask selection, meticulous on-site cooperation, local sourcing, and longer maturation times, among other initiatives. Truly, the Rye Malt Whisky is positioning itself as one of the best rye whiskies available. The team could not be prouder that their hard work was recognised in this way.

While traditional American ryes are typically bold, heavy on sharp spice, and built primarily for mixing, Archie Rose takes a distinctly innovative, Australian approach. By opting for malted rye over unmalted grain, we soften the spice, unlocking a richer, more rounded, and complex profile crafted to be sipped and savored neat.

The Profile

The Nose: Layers of apricot, vanilla, ginger, and toffee, displaying a tantalizing tension between sweet and savory.

The Palate: A soft, syrupy entry with an unctuous mouthfeel. Expect a rich wave of peach cobbler topped with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce.

The Finish: Long, complex, and driven by a gentle sweet spice balanced by a subtle hint of salinity.

Rye Whisky Of The Year

Rye Whisky Of The Year

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