Close Panel

Staff Picks: the Archie Rose Whisky Cabinet

We asked our Master Distiller, Venue Manager and Head of Hospitality to pick three whiskies they love on the Archie Rose back bar (we have over 300 of them!). This is the result.

Dave Withers, Master Distiller:

Bells Blended Whisky (bottled 1970s):

A great example of why blended whisky was king in this era. We often consider single malt whisky as being the pinnacle of whisky experience, yet countless examples of blended whisky prior to the popularisation of single malt speak to a very different reality. The fact remains that during the decades either side of the ’60s some of the best whisky made was earmarked for blended whiskies, such was the consumer demand for this type of whisky. At amazing value, this whisky shows an intriguing balance of fresh and dried fruit. A really magic balance of melons, tropical fruit, sherry cask influence, biscuity malt and just a touch of funk exemplifies this to be a remarkable whisky.

Ichiro’s Malt (Hanyu 2000):

The popularity of Japanese whisky has been widely reported with some whiskies having increased in value dramatically in the last few years. Such is the popularity of the category that many whisky boffins now see this type of whisky as belonging to the investor market. Yet this whisky stands as testimony to why the legend of Ichiro Akuto and his whiskies is so enduring and relevant. This whisky comes from the now closed distillery Hanyu which had its stocks rescued by the humble and hard-working Ichiro. It is among some of the last examples bottled from this distillery by a true Japanese whisky legend.

GlenDronach 18 Year Old:

GlenDronach is one of the last bastions of a truly rich, sherry-cask influenced style which went out of favour at the conclusion of World War II. This distillery is responsible for my ‘lightbulb moment’ with whisky. The rich and intense contribution from the cask it was matured in complemented by the boldness of the spirit makes it a remarkable example of whisky from a bygone era. It takes a very special type of spirit to stand up to nearly two decades of maturation in these types of casks but the result is quite phenomenal and I still enjoy GlenDronach for these reasons today. Many people talk about the great classic Sherried Macallans of yesteryear, for me whiskies like these are what sherry cask whisky are all about.

Jonathan Liu, Venue Manager:

Karuizawa 1990 Single Vintage:

I remember having one of these when a guest bought me a shot at 23, when I was working at the Four Seasons. Back then it was hardly popular, available at an affordable price, and only two guests ordered it over the year after seeing the bottle. Other than the usual big house brands such as Suntory and Nikka this was the first Japanese distillery which piqued my interest in the history of not only Japanese whisky but the history of all spirits. Imagine, you hear about Coca Cola and Pepsi - then another brand emerges so you question if there are others, right?

Lagavulin 8 Year Old:

The younger bottling has helped improve my understanding of Scotch Whisky maturation considering both climate vs time especially when the 16 Year Old was a signature bottling of theirs. You will find the 8 Year Old has a little bit more life / punch, bigger peat notes and less oak influence which is now my preference after working at Archie Rose. The younger the better? The new makier the bestest?

Ben Nevis 10 Year Old:

If you has asked me six years ago I would have completely turned the opposite direction with peat being the exciting flavour in a whisky, but with age and little more experience under my belt I’ve come to realise alcohol has its place at all times of the day. The Ben Nevis 10 Year Old is my ultimate breakfast, lunch and dinner drink. It’s the lasagne to my life - approachable and affordable and always satisfying.

Harriet Leigh, Head of Hospitality:

Belgrove Oak Whisky:

I recently popped down to Tassie and had a little sniff around Belgrove to check out the amazing things Peter Bignell is doing to grain down there. His Oat Whisky is still astoundingly good, it’s light and delicate, and reeks of crème anglaise, crème caramel, all the crèmes. It’s definitely worth spending an evening with.

Port Ellen - 17th release - OR NOT.

Look, it’s not often I feel like dropping $430 on a shot of whisky. Or even $215 on a half nip. But if I did feel like doing that at the Archie Rose bar, this is what I’d reach for. One of the best parts of my job is I get to taste whiskies without having to break the bank. HOWEVER, if you don’t get that perk in your job we have a great selection of Islay that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. For literally half that price you can have a Brora 34 Year Old, which might still bring a tear to the eye but is not a whisky you’ll forget any time soon. And for a fraction of that price you can snuffle up a Caol Ila 18 or Distiller’s Edition, a Bunnahabhain Ceòbanach, or even a Lagavulin 8 Year Old. which as Jonathan says above, is a whisky not to be missed.

Scotch Malt Whisky Society R6.1:

Dear Lord. What on earth has happened to me? I have always poo-pooed rum. It’s never been my bag. But then I met our Master Distiller, Dave Withers. Who among other nicknames, such as “nature’s gentleman” and “Schnitty” is a self-professed “rummie”. For a while I loved him in spite of this fact. But something about him has rubbed off on me in the last three years, the production of Virgin Cane, his passion for all things sugar cane. Dare I say it, I’ve developed a taste. The rather confusingly named Scotch Malt Whisky Society is an independent bottler of world renown, their National Brand Ambassador is the superheroic Matt Bailey and their drams are exceptional. Very occasionally they bottle things that are neither Scotch nor Whisky. This 14 Year Old Foursquare single cask is outstanding. And you should take my word for it because I hate rum.

Of course all of this is lies. My very favourite whisky that I’ve drunk at the Archie Rose bar is without doubt, and always will be, the latest cask sample made 3 metres away, aged in a cask beside me, and tapped by Schnitty.

You may also be interested in

  • What even is Australian whisky, anyway?
    What even is Australian whisky, anyway? We ask Archie Rose's Master Distiller, Dave Withers.
    Read More
  • Six Malt New Make
    **Unfortunately, Six Malt New Make has now sold out. [Sign up to Archie's Journal](/nz/shop/product/six-malt-new-make/#newsletter-sign-up) for first access to new products plus other news and events.**
    Shop
  • The Three Best Whisky Cocktails of All Time
    This list is a little dishonest. For starters the greatest whisky drink is a nip of whisky. Served neat in a glass designed for the purpose. But if we want to look at the whisky drinks worth mixing there are a few contenders for greatest whisky cocktail of all time.
    Read More

Distillery

Book a tour:

Wednesday - Sunday
Subject to availability

Book Tour

Bar

Come in for a drink:


Archie Rose Bar. Monday-Sunday: CLOSED. Cellar Door spirit sales: Monday, Tuesday: CLOSED. Wednesday - Sunday: 10am til 5pm.

Food and Drinks Menu

Location

85 Dunning Ave
Rosebery NSW 2018

Open in Maps

Location

85 Dunning Ave
Rosebery NSW 2018

Open in Maps

Distillery

Book a tour:

Wednesday - Sunday
Subject to availability

Book Tour

Bar

Come in for a drink:

Archie Rose Bar Opening Hours
Monday: Closed
Monday 2 October (Public Holiday): 12pm-9pm
Tuesday: Closed
Tuesday (From 10 October): 4pm-10pm
Wednesday - Thursday: 4pm-11:30pm
Friday - Saturday: 12pm-11:30pm
Sunday: 12pm-10pm



Cellar Door Spirit Sales:
Monday: Closed
Monday 2 October (Public Holiday): 12pm-9pm
Tuesday: 10am-6pm
Tuesday (From 10 October): 10am-10pm
Wednesday - Sunday: 10am-10pm
Monday: Closed

Food and Drinks Menu
Sign up to

A measured serve of craft distilling

Sign up for first access to new products plus other news, events, cocktails and our quarterly Archie's Journal.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Archie Rose Distilling Co. acknowledges and pays respect to the past, present and emerging traditional custodians of the lands on which we work and live, the Gweagal, Bidjigal and Gadigal Clans and the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation.

At Archie Rose we Drink Wise|Copyright © 2020 Archie Rose Distilling Co.|Design by Squad Ink|Built by Weekends
Close

Afterpay

Shop Now. Pay Later.
Always interest-free.

  • Add your favourites to cart
  • Select Afterpay at checkout
  • Log into or create your Afterpay account, with instant approval decision
  • Your purchase will be split into 4 payments, payable every 2 weeks

Are you of legal drinking age in


Yes
No

To experience this site you must be of legal drinking age in your country of residence. Please enjoy Archie Rose responsibly in countries where the consumption of alcohol is lawful, for persons who are lawfully permitted to consume alcohol. By entering this site you agree to our Terms and Conditions. Find out more at www.drinkwise.org.au. Archie Rose Distilling Co. Pty Limited Rights Reserved. Archie Rose Distilling Co. supports the Responsible Service of Alcohol. NSW Liquor Act 2007. It is against the law to sell or supply alcohol to, or to obtain alcohol on behalf of, a person under the age of 18 years. Liquor Producer Wholesaler Licence: LIQW880014624 | Liquor Hotel Licence: LIQH440018958

To experience this site you must be of legal drinking age in your country of residence. Please enjoy Archie Rose responsibly in countries where the consumption of alcohol is lawful, for persons who are lawfully permitted to consume alcohol. By entering this site you agree to our Terms and Conditions. Find out more at www.drinkwise.org.au. Archie Rose Distilling Co. Pty Limited Rights Reserved. Archie Rose Distilling Co. supports the Responsible Service of Alcohol. NSW Liquor Act 2007. It is against the law to sell or supply alcohol to, or to obtain alcohol on behalf of, a person under the age of 18 years. Liquor Producer Wholesaler Licence: LIQW880014624 | Liquor Hotel Licence: LIQH440018958