Category: Archie Rose

Dram Review: Tasmanian Independent Bottlers A Renowned NSW Distillery Renowned Release 2 (Cask No. TIB ?? 005)

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[49.1%・NAS・Bottled in 2018・Tasmanian Independent Bottlers Bottling・Cask No. TIB ?? 005・Single Cask Release]

Nose:

On the raw side but the dilution has kept things civilised, a polite Sherry imprint left on the new make.  There is a certain spirit oiliness that coats notes of raw sugar, citrus fragrance and charred toast.

Palate & Finish:

Fine delivery of apples and honey on a young spirit base, English lollies conveying a juvenile spirit led sweetness.

The tail fizzles though traces of malt remain..

Thoughts:

Personally, the sophomore Renowned Release didn’t quite do enough for me, proper distillate and thoughtful execution but my suspicion is that the cask was bottled too soon for things to have a chance to get real interesting, Duckett style or otherwise.  Chances are the cask could potentially be left maturing for a few more years though I suppose the crowd has waited long enough..

-Nicholas

Dram Review: Tasmanian Independent Bottlers A Renowned NSW Distillery Renowned Release 1 (Cask No. TIB ?? 004)

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[49.0%・NAS・Bottled in 2017・Tasmanian Independent Bottlers Bottling・Cask No. TIB ?? 004・Single Cask Release]

Nose:

A fair toasted barley note forms the theme with some light inferences of raisins, moist banana bread, walnuts, and ginger flower; slightly on the diluted side.

Palate & Finish:

A polite showing of raisins and lemon marmalade; lime jelly, milk chocolate, cinnamon and a hint of lightly wood charred toast. Some gingery spices move in on the mid-palate as the dram transitions into a gentle malty finish with some lingering lime and cinnamon.

Thoughts:

This is perhaps the first cask from the distillery to be bottled as a whisky, I understand that the distillery has since made some drastic changes to how they produce new make so this is to be seen as an experimental cask not quite indicative of the distillery’s outlook.

In a way, this being a TIB bottling is somewhat fitting as it perhaps took some pressure off the prototype cask from being a Heartwood. At 49% this packs a finish without being too feisty whilst focusing on the easy going nature of the spirit.

With that said though this is fresh and easy and rather decent for a barely legal youngling.. a very promising start indeed..

✓ [Recommended if you like the style/ distillery]

–Nicholas

Spirit Review: Archie Rose Six Malt Spirit matured in 100L Apera Sherry Cask for 18 months

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Nose:

Powerful spice, but the core aroma is surprisingly gentle on the nose. Soft but determined dark/red fruits notes, raisinets uplifted by an herbal overtone. Orange drops and black currants. There are still glimpses of raw new make malt syrup notes here, but some rough edges have been polished off.

Palate:

Red fruits with an unexpected touch of subtle wood smoke backing it up. Lollies, red liquorice and orange drops forming a fairly strong fruity core. Raw herbal spice flaring up, while chocolate and barley husk dropping lower. Finishes with more confectionaries notes and roasted coffee beans.

Thoughts:

Despite 6 months short from becoming an actual whisky in Australia, it is almost ready. There has been a substantial fine-tuning with the Archie Rose spirit to create its own style, and I am delighted to see what we have here is thoughtfully polished. The sherry injects a nice sweetness to it while the barley in the drier facet sinks even lower and form a nice spirit underlayer. An enjoyable treat, and I am seeing all sorts of positive signs from this distillery in Sydney.

[Filling Strength of 63.5% • Cask Sample]

-Esmond

Spirit Review: Archie Rose Six Malt New Make

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Nose:

Youthful malt syrup with grassy edges. Marshmallows, caramel and chocolate cookie dough developing on top of subtle fruitiness. Distinct carrot cake and earthy nutmeg notes coming forward towards the end.

Palate:

Vibrant confectionaries fruits sweeping across and transmute to drier chocolate barley husk on the palate. Abundant ester fruits – mostly oranges, nicely placed at the middle. Crisp ginger spices giving a zing, while barley brushes around the fruity core. Cornflakes and dry oatmeal at the tail.

Thoughts:

Of all new makes I have tried, there is a surprising amount of dry, naked barley signature injected into the spirit. Forming additional dimensions around the crisp and fruity core. Layers of flavours already distinctly formed, how they will develop in oak casks remains to be seen but it is definitely a good sign. Fairly drinkable and expressive at 50%. No ratings because it is not a whisky yet.

[50% • Distillery Bottling • Limited Edition • 3000 Bottles]

-Esmond