Archie Rose Distilling Co. has moved its core whisky range into lighter bottles and redesigned packaging as the Sydney distiller prepares to enter the US, two months after actor Chris Hemsworth joined the business as co-owner.
The new identity covers three expressions: Single Malt, Straight Rye Malt (formerly Rye Malt) and Australian Original, a new all-malt whisky blended from the distillery’s rye and barley malt spirit. The company said the liquid and production methods for the two existing whiskies are unchanged.
The range went on sale from 19 October in Australia, the US, New Zealand, Singapore and selected Asian markets. Archie Rose has previously said the rollout will extend to the EU and UK in 2027.
Lighter glass, better freight
The flask-shaped bottle and packaging were developed with Glasgow-based creative agency, Thirst, and Hemsworth. Archie Rose said the lighter glass and redesigned box structure reduce overall packaging weight and improve freight efficiency, supporting its export push and its commitments as a certified B Corp. It did not disclose weight or freight savings.
Inspired by the idea of being “forged from the earth”, the flask-shaped bottle balances refinement with a distinctly Australian sense of grit. Texture within the glass evokes the earth in which the range’s barley and rye are grown, while the labels and box packaging draws further cues from the Australian landscape.
Archie Rose founder and co-owner, Will Edwards, said, “We’ve spent the last twelve years refining our whiskies and we now have a portfolio and brand identity that reflects our Australian grown and made heritage, while giving us a strong platform to introduce Australian whisky to more people around the world.”
Grain to cask
All three whiskies are made at the company’s Botany distillery from Australian-grown grain, sourced through local farmers and maltsters including Voyager Craft Malt in NSW, which malts the rye to Archie Rose’s specification. Each malt is fermented, distilled and matured separately before blending, with the Single Malt drawing on six barley malts.
The distillery has more than 50,000 casks under bond, maturing spirit in Australian fortified wine (apera), European oak and American oak casks.
Archie Rose Master Distiller, Dave Withers, said, “Great whisky starts its life in the field. Partnering with Chris allows us to take that Australian craft to the global stage across our whisky range.”
Price ladder
Australian Original enters at $79.99 RRP and 40 per cent ABV, below Straight Rye Malt at $99.99 and Single Malt at $119.99, both bottled at 46 per cent ABV. The range is stocked through major retailers, independent bottle shops and selected on-premise accounts.
Hemsworth joined Edwards as co-owner in August. Neither the size of his stake nor the deal terms have been disclosed. He has also produced a global campaign film, shot across eight Australian locations and directed by Justin McMillan, in which he stars with his brother Luke Hemsworth.
Founded in 2014, Archie Rose describes itself as Australia’s largest whisky producer and the country’s largest independent gin producer.
