Archie Rose ‘tests boundaries’ of smoke
Australian distillery Archie Rose has experimented with smoking its casks to impart flavour into its new four-part whisky series.
Wattleseed Smoked Cask Single Malt Whisky is the first expression in the new four-part Smoked Cask Series from the Sydney-based distillery.
Released yesterday (24 September), the inaugural limited edition expression in the collection explores a ‘novel’ technique, which sees the casks themselves – rather than the grain – gently smoked with botanicals.
Archie Rose worked closely with one of Australia’s most respected coopers to smoke empty whisky casks with native wattleseed, before filling them with Archie Rose’s single malt whisky.
This unique production method is said to require precision and patience. Each botanical was carefully smoked to release aroma without burning, so its delicate character could be absorbed by the timber – a process that required extensive trials and collaboration.
“In Australia, we’re fortunate to be unbound by tradition, having the freedom to be bold and find our own new ways of doing things,” said Dave Withers, master distiller at Archie Rose and shortlist nominee for The Spirits Business Awards 2025 Distiller of the Year accolade.
“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. We wanted to tackle the question of whether we could bring a different dimension to our whisky by smoking the maturation casks instead. It’s also about testing the boundaries of where that smoke comes from.
“There’s something romantic about using wattleseed to smoke our whisky maturation casks in the Australian context. Wattle seeds need fire to germinate, so in burning this uniquely Australian ingredient to smoke our whisky casks, we’re giving life to a whole new layer of flavour, and a whole new style of Australian single malt whisky.”
The result is a rich, complex whisky that carries the warm, nostalgic notes of campfire bacon, roasted macadamia and caramel fudge, alongside a discreet smoke profile.
Three more uniquely smoked cask expressions are to be unveiled over the coming months.
Wattleseed Smoked Cask Single Malt Whisky is offered at RRP AU$219 (US$144) and bottled at 51.7% ABV.
