Archie Rose is back with the second release from their Harvest Whisky series - Dry Grown Rye Malt Whisky.

This expression uses "ancient varieties of barley and heirloom rye, grown by the Whytcross family during a time when NSW was suffering severe drought conditions".

The distillery tells that it had set out to source for drought-tolerant grain varieties in a bid to support farmers by using whatever grains had survived the harsh Australian climate.

Thus this 2019 distillation was born from drought conditions with grains that were not irrigated at all - "Dry Grown". The grains used came from several fields including ancient purple and black malts that had previously not been used before. To amplify the local provenance, partial fermentation with wild yeasts naturally occurring in the fields from which the grains were harvested, was used as well.

The new release is bottled at 48% ABV, having been matured in ex-Apera casks, and priced at 149 AUD.

"The result is an intriguing, multi-layered whisky with lifted aromatics of candied orange and peaches, polished cedar, and honeycomb. A beguiling palate of toasted rye bread and poached apricot follows, with a mouth-coating finish of chocolate and coconut butter with a touch of drying oak."

Official Tasting Notes

Color

Burnished gold with amber highlights.

Aroma

Opening with candied orange, peaches with treacle and sugared almonds, the nose then transitions into some richer notes of cola, galangal, polished cedar and a touch of honeycomb.

Taste

A beguiling opening of toasted rye bread and poached apricot opens into a mouth-coating combination of mandarin, strawberries, roasted almonds and chocolate-coated oat biscuits.

Finish

Milk chocolate and coconut butter persist throughout, with a touch of drying oak to bring the whisky to a close.

Images courtesy of Archie Rose.

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team