Australian distillery Archie Rose has launched the third expression in its experimental Smoked Cask Series, a single malt whisky aged in cinnamon-smoked barrels. The limited edition Archie Rose Cinnamon Smoked Cask Single Malt Whisky is bottled at 51.9% ABV and is limited to just 495 bottles.
The four-part series uses a novel Australian technique to reimagine smoked whisky.
Instead of smoking the grain, the distillery smokes the casks with various botanicals before maturation.
This third release highlights cinnamon, following previous expressions that were smoked with wattleseed and juniper.
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The distillery collaborated with an Australian cooper to develop the specialized casks. The process involves carefully smoking the cinnamon to infuse the oak without burning the botanical.
According to official notes from the brand, the whisky has flavors of warm baking spice, tropical fruit, and charred pineapple.
The series offers enthusiasts a chance to explore different interpretations of smoke.
As reported by The Spirits Business, 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.”
Withers added that the choice of cinnamon felt natural due to its classic pairing with whisky.
“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,” he noted.
He also said this whisky was the “genesis of the whole Smoked Cask Series.”
Archie Rose Cinnamon Smoked Cask Single Malt Whisky is available now from the distillery’s website.
It is priced at AU$199 (US$132/£99).
