For a little over a decade now, Archie Rose Distilling Co. has been quietly re-engineering what Australian spirits can look, feel, and taste like.
And later this month, theyโre throwing the doors open on their newly refurbished (read: reinvented) Rosebery venue for an evening that doubles as a curtain-raiser and a well-timed reminder of why theyโve become one of the countryโs most decorated producers.
On Wednesday, October 23rd, from the gentlemanly hour of 6 PM, a handful of lucky Boss Hunting readers (i.e. you) will have the chance to join us for a private tasting led by none other than Master Distiller Dave Withers.
With ten double passes (valued at $200 per head) up for grabs, this forthcoming affair promises more than just world-class whisky.
Think grazing tables built for slow conversation, a preview of Archie Roseโs updated space, and a dram list that covers both the foundations and the fringes of their craft.
The liquid line-up itself reads like a snapshot of Archie Roseโs restless imagination.
The Wattleseed Smoked Cask Single Malt โ the first release in their Smoked Cask series โ sets the tone with flavours of bacon crisping over an open fire, roasted macadamia, and a fudgey sweetness that lingers just long enough to demand another sip.
Their flagship Single Malt follows, a whisky that sidesteps tradition by highlighting six distinct malts rather than one or two. The result? A spirit that feels richer and more expressive, full of regional nuance, and layered character.
The Rye Malt Whisky โ four times crowned Worldโs Best Rye โ is an aromatic blend of spice, stone fruit, and the sort of baked apple pie note that borders on nostalgic. Its finish is fresh, herbal, and almost provocatively long.
Then thereโs the Heritage Red Gum Cask Single Malt, a rare bottling that bridges personal history with technical mastery. Matured in a cask hewn from native red gum โ previously used to house apera fortified wine โ this whisky is as much about Withersโ family legacy as it is about taste.
Rounding out the core tasting is the Single Paddock Harvest 2018. Drawn from one stubbornly dry paddock of heritage rye grown during the drought, itโs a whisky that speaks to place and perseverance. Semi-fermented, malted three ways, and finished with a saison yeast strain, this is a showcase of both experimental flair and agricultural honesty.
And because every good story needs a twist, Withers will not only be pouring a few limited edition conversation starters for your consideration, but also a mysterious, unreleased whisky exclusive thatโll be a one-night-only kind of deal.
In case we havenโt made it abundantly clear, the setting is equally compelling.
As alluded to earlier, Archie Roseโs Rosebery site has been overhauled into a world-class destination โ part cocktail bar, part classroom, part temple to Australian spirits: the new Cellar Door and Still Room is an immersive space where guests can blend, taste, and even walk out with a personalised bottle within minutes.
Next door, the Archie Rose Bar โ already recognised as the nationโs best whisky bar โ remains the anchor, lined with casks and humming with possibility. More than 41,000 people made the pilgrimage here last year. This October, you could be one of the very first to experience its fresh incarnation, guided through the journey by the man responsible for the universally acclaimed goods.
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This article is presented in partnership with Archie Rose Distilling Co. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Boss Hunting.
