Hollywood heartthrob and Australian actor Chris Hemsworth is branching out from the Marvel Cinematic Universe with a stake in local spirits purveyor Archie Rose Distilling Co. And as the resident Women’s Weekly Whisky Writer, I am thrilled.
“I’ve been a fan of Archie Rose for a long time,” Chris Hemsworth said of the distillery. “Wherever I am in the world, tasting an Archie Rose whisky immediately transports me right back home, to that feeling of sitting around a campfire in the Australian bush with my mates. Their ethos of only using Australian-grown malts to produce flavour-packed whiskies at their Sydney distillery is truly awesome. They’re a brilliant example of what Australia does best, and I can’t wait to share that with the world.”
The independent distillery was founded in Sydney in 2014 by Will Edwards and his family. Since its inception, it has been a shining light in the Australian whisky world – and the first whisky distillery to open in Sydney since 1853. Its name is inspired by its location and its business. Archibald Primrose, the British Minister, gave Rosebery (where the distillery is based) its name. Also, fun fact: in the 19th century, “Archie” was also a term for illicit distilling operations.
As is usual with new distilleries, Archie Rose first put out its gins to market while its whisky rested in barrels. They released their first aged rye malt whisky in 2019. Archie Rose makes its whisky in a uniquely Australian fashion, using malted rye instead of unmalted like its American counterparts. Plus, the grain is locally sourced.
“Our approach has always been about championing local ingredients to create spirits that taste truly Australian,” says founder Will Edwards. “Having Chris join the business as a co-owner allows us to bring that ambition to the world. We aren’t just making spirits; we are using Australia’s raw materials and ingenuity as the base for producing the world’s best whisky, gin and other spirits, telling the stories of the growers and the land beneath them.”
Its approach has been met with great success. The distillery has earned more than 450 awards, including World’s Best Rye Whisky twice, Australia’s Best Single Malt Whisky five times, and the World’s Best Gin. In another feather to its bow, earlier this year, Archie Rose achieved B Corp Certification.
Chris’s role in the company comes as it prepares to break into the US market. To celebrate his joining, Archie Rose is also releasing three whiskies created with the actor. However, we won’t have more information until later in the year.
Chris isn’t the first Australian actor to get involved in the drinks industry. Oscar-nominated actress and like Chris a one-time star of Home and Away, Margot Robbie, has a coastal gin distillery called Papa Salt with her husband Tom Ackerley. Also, Russell Crowe, who starred with Chris in Thor: Love and Thunder as Zeus, is a major investor and shareholder in The Muff Liquor Company, an Irish brand known for producing potato-based spirits.
We will update you about Chris Hemsworth’s whiskies with the Sydney-based distillery as they come out. Find out more information about Archie Rose here.
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