Archie Rose ages whisky in cinnamon-smoked casks
Australian distillery Archie Rose has unveiled the third release in its limited edition experimental Smoked Cask Series, aged in barrels smoked with cinnamon.
The third release of the series highlights cinnamon, resulting in notes of warm baking spice, tropical fruit, and charred pineapple on the palate.
In line with the rest of the series, the cinnamon was carefully smoked to release its aroma without burning, allowing its delicate character to infuse the oak during maturation.
Launched earlier this year, the four-part limited edition series uses botanicals to bring unique characteristics to each expression.
The casks, developed in collaboration with ‘one of Australia’s most respected coopers’, aim to reimagine the traditional approach to smoked whisky. The result is a collection of spirits that are layered with subtle, aromatic flavours, each distinct due to the choice of botanicals.
The series is said to provide collectors and whisky enthusiasts with a unique opportunity to explore four distinctive interpretations of smoke, crafted using ‘a first-of-its-kind’ Australian technique.
Previous releases include Wattleseed Smoked and Juniper Smoked Cask single malt whiskies.
Dave Withers, master distiller at Archie Rose, said: “This series is all about reimagining what a smoked whisky can be, questioning why the flavour of smoke can only come from the treatment of grains. This novel process has created its own alchemy, with a certain magic coming through in the finished whiskies.
“Cinnamon and whisky work so well together, so the choice to use cinnamon in our Smoked Cask Series felt natural. With this cinnamon-smoked cask single malt, the smoke is discreet, but the lovely warm, sweet notes of carrot cake and raisin toast really shine through on the back palate.
“This whisky was the genesis of the whole Smoked Cask Series because we asked ourselves, how can we take a flavour we love, like cinnamon, and elevate it in the context of how we make whisky?”
Archie Rose Cinnamon Smoked Cask Single Malt Whisky is bottled at 51.9% ABV and limited to 495 bottles.
The release is now available for AU$199 (US$132/£99) on the distillery’s website.
Last month, Archie Rose collaborated with Sydney seafood restaurant Saint Peter on a gin distilled with the carcasses of John Dory fish.
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