Archie Rose Rye Whisky

The Archie Rose Rye was provided as a club whisky rather than a contender in the first 2026 tasting itself. Its job wasn’t to compete or be ranked, it was there to ease everyone into the evening, offer a familiar flavour profile, and get palates warmed up before the real comparisons began. With its lively rye spice and approachable sweetness, it served exactly that purpose: a reliable, characterful opener that set the mood without stepping into the spotlight reserved for the main bottles.