S&D Podcast 21: David Fisher of Sydney’s Archie Rose Distilling Prizes Independence and Balance

The senior spirits blender at Sydney's award-winning Archie Rose shares his perspectives on sensory analysis, blending, and producing distinctive spirits with Australia’s ingredients and climate.

Molly Troupe Dec 10, 2024 - 2 min read

S&D Podcast 21: David Fisher of Sydney’s Archie Rose Distilling Prizes Independence and Balance Primary Image

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David Fisher’s love of spirits started with bartending in London and followed a winding path, eventually passing through pandemic-era New York City into sensory analysis and blending back home in Australia. Now the senior spirits blender at award-winning Archie Rose Distilling in Sydney, Fisher has one of the most respected noses in the business.

In this discussion with host Molly Troupe, Fisher shares his thoughts on the importance of confidence to sensory and blending, and knowing your weaknesses as well as your strengths. He also discusses:

  • stopping to smell the flowers (and everything else) in collecting sense memories
  • the aromatic purity of gin botanicals versus the integrated matrix of whiskey
  • the overarching importance of balance
  • bridging New World flavors and Old World elegance
  • the effects of Australian temperature swings on barrel aging
  • backing up sensory data with numbers, and making the connections with production choices making distinctive whiskey with malts smoked by unusual local woods

And more.

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With a Bachelor degree in Chemistry (with an emphasis in forensics) and a Master degree in Brewing and Distilling from the legendary Heriot Watt University, Molly Troupe uses her education and experience to create products focused on localized ingredients and masterful flavor combinations. As Master Distiller and Partner at Freeland Spirits in Portland, Oregon, she has released six different products ranging from gin to whiskey to canned cocktails.

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