Archie Rose Distilling Co. is preparing for its biggest international expansion to date, with Chris Hemsworth joining the Australian whisky and spirits producer as co-owner ahead of its first entry into the United States and a new product rollout across New Zealand and Asia.
The Sydney-based independent distillery will enter the US market for the first time in late 2026. Three whiskies co-created with Hemsworth will also launch across markets in Asia and New Zealand later this year, followed by the EU and UK in 2027.
Founded by Will Edwards in 2014, Archie Rose has built its position around Australian-grown ingredients and locally produced whisky and gin. Hemsworth, who had been a long-time admirer of the brand, has joined Edwards as the company moves into its next stage of international growth.
“I’ve been a fan of Archie Rose for a long time,” said Hemsworth. “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.”
Archie Rose works with Australian growers to source heirloom and drought-resistant grain varieties for its whiskies, alongside native botanicals used in its gins.
Its whiskies are produced exclusively using Australian-grown malts, including custom rye and barley grown specifically for the distillery. The company individually mills, mashes, ferments, distils and matures each malt type before bringing the different components together.
For gin production, Archie Rose uses a cold distillation process intended to preserve the characteristics of individual botanicals.
“Our approach has always been about championing local ingredients to create spirits that taste truly Australian,” said 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.”
The international push follows considerable awards recognition for the business. Archie Rose has received more than 450 awards, including World’s Best Rye Whisky twice, Australia’s Best Single Malt Whisky five times and World’s Best Gin.
The distillery has also invested in energy-efficiency measures at its Sydney production facility. Its local sourcing, growing and production practices contributed to Archie Rose achieving B Corp Certification in June 2026, recognising standards covering social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability.
Hemsworth’s involvement gives Archie Rose a high-profile platform as it moves beyond its Australian base, but the commercial expansion will ultimately rely on whether its Australian provenance and production model translate successfully into international whisky markets.
For New Zealand, that next stage will arrive quickly. The three whiskies co-created with Hemsworth are scheduled to reach New Zealand and Asian markets in late 2026, alongside the company’s first move into the United States.
Archie Rose operates its distillery in Botany, Sydney, with a public Bar & Cellar Door in Rosebery. The company describes itself as Australia’s largest whisky producer and number one independent gin producer.
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