Move over Scotch whisky, Archie Rose has just released a smoky new spirit made from 50 tonnes of smoke-tainted Shiraz and cabernet merlot grapes.

The new wine-washed spirit wass made in collaboration with ten Hunter Valey wineries that experienced harvest-damaging smoke taint from the recent bushfires. Archie Rose plans to release some of the spirit now as an eau de vie, while a portion will be reserved to create a brandy down the track.

Will Edwards, Archie Rose Founder said: “While watching the January bushfires this year we immediately began looking at how we could help growers only two hours up the road with the eventual result a series of brandy-related spirits. As eau de vie is a spirit very few people have tried, we’re really excited to share this Hunter Valley Shiraz Spirit and looking forward to seeing how the smoke taint eventually plays into a brandy, currently laid down in casks to age for a minimum of two years.”

The first-of-its-kind spirit reveals notes of shortbread, vine leaves and old campfire on the nose, followed by mango, raspberry jam and wafer on the palate.

“It’s unusual at first in taste but excellent with the simple addition of fresh-pressed apple juice or even Coca-Cola and freshly squeezed lime juice, in our twist on a Batanga,” says Archie Rose head of hospitality, Harriet Leigh.

“We’ve also used the youthful eau de vie with vibrant, zingy flavours, in a version of a Paloma – The Pokolbin – the eau de vie effortlessly replacing tequila in the knock-out grapefruit highball.”

One thousand bottles of Hunter Valley Shiraz Spirit will go on sale at the Archie Rose Bar in Rosebery and archierose.com.au from May, 25, 2020. The spirit is priced at $99 for a 700ml bottle.