Archie Rose Dry Grown Rye Malt Australian Whisky Harvest 2019 (700ml)

The second release in the Harvest Whisky series uses ancient varieties of barley and heirloom rye grown by the Whytcross family during severe drought. In this tough situation, Archie Rose wanted to source as many drought-tolerant grain varieties as possible. The aim was to support the farmers by using whatever had survived and to create a whisky that was a reflection of these harsh but all too common conditions in Australia.

As a spirit born from drought, the grains harvested were not irrigated at all, hence the name “Dry Grown”. Unlike the previous Single Paddock Harvest edition, this includes grains from several fields including ancient purple and black malts that the distillery has never employed before. To further reflect the local provenance of the grains, they were also allowed to partially ferment with wild yeasts that occur naturally around the fields in which they grow. The result is an intriguing, multi-layered whisky with lifted aromatics of candied orange and peaches, polished cedar, and honeycomb. They're followed by a beguiling palate of toasted rye bread and poached apricot and a mouth-coating finish of chocolate and coconut butter plus a touch of drying oak. 48% Alc./Vol.