Hollywood actor Chris Hemsworth has just bought a stake in an Australian whisky maker. Hemsworth is no stranger to putting Australian talent in the spotlight. His latest move takes that idea out of Hollywood and into the world of spirits: in August 2026, the actor joined Sydney-based Archie Rose Distilling Co. as a co-owner, ahead of the brand's US expansion. It is an interesting partnership because Archie Rose is not simply another drinks brand looking for a famous face. Founded in Sydney in 2014, the distillery has built its identity around Australian ingredients, local producers and a distinctly experimental approach to spirits. Hemsworth says the partnership is about helping take that Australian craftsmanship to a wider audience, not simply putting his name on a whisky bottle.
From the expressive Archie Rose Single Malt Whisky and the grain-driven Archie Rose Rye Malt Whisky to the richer Archie Rose Rum Cask Single Malt Whisky, these 3 bottles offer a taste of what Hemsworth is now backing.
The Archie Rose Rum Cask Single Malt Whisky is perhaps the most playful expression of the three. Archie Rose takes its single malt and matures it in its own Triple Molasses Rum casks, bringing richer and sweeter notes into the whisky.
The profile moves through sticky date pudding, amaretto, peaches, caramel, rum and raisin, tropical fruit, chocolate and espresso. The current cask-strength expression is bottled at 58% ABV and listed at A$149 for 700ml on Archie Rose's Australian website.
The Archie Rose Single Malt Whisky takes a less conventional route, using six different malts in its mash bill. It is predominantly matured in Australian Apera sherry casks, alongside ex-bourbon and the distillery's own ex-rye casks.
In the glass, expect sun-dried apricot, preserved peach, honeycomb, sultanas, roasted nuts, cacao and dark chocolate. The Archie Rose Single Malt Whisky is a good introduction to Archie Rose's approach: familiar whisky territory, but with an unmistakably Australian accent.
The current Archie Rose Single Malt Whisky is bottled at 46% ABV and priced at A$119 for 700ml on the distillery’s Australian website.
Rye gives Archie Rose another way to show what Australian whisky can be. The distillery works with Australian-grown rye, alongside malted barley, creating a spirit with its own grain-led character.
The limited Heritage Rye Malt releases take that idea further, including single-cask expressions matured in Australian Apera casks. It is an especially interesting bottle for anyone who wants to move beyond the usual barley-led single malt. The Archie Rose Rye Malt Whisky is bottled at 46% ABV and priced at A$89 for 700ml on the distillery’s Australian website.
The whiskies already in the range are only part of the story. Hemsworth has also teased three whiskies co-created with Archie Rose, expected to arrive in Asia and New Zealand later in 2026, with Europe and the UK to follow in 2027.