Chris Hemsworth Joins Archie Rose as Co-Owner Ahead of Asia Expansion

Chris Hemsworth has acquired a co-ownership stake in Archie Rose Distilling Co., Sydney-based Australia's leading independent distillery, joining founder Will Edwards as the company prepares its first entry into the United States market in late 2026. Financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed.

Founded in 2014, Archie Rose has built an international reputation on whisky and spirits made exclusively from Australian-grown malts, including rye and barley cultivated specifically for the distillery. The company holds more than 450 international awards, including two wins for World's Best Rye Whisky, five for Australia's Best Single Malt Whisky, and a World's Best Gin title. Archie Rose currently has more than 45,000 casks of whisky maturing ahead of its international rollout.

The distillery will remain independently owned and Australian-run. Dave Withers, Archie Rose's chief distiller, continues to lead production.

Three whiskies co-created with Hemsworth will launch first in Australia, followed by the United States later in 2026, where the brand will enter through distributor Reyes Beverage Group. According to Archie Rose, the whiskies will then extend into Asia and New Zealand, with the United Kingdom and Europe following in 2027.

Hemsworth, who will focus on product design, content and global launch plans, has been working with the distillery for more than a year ahead of the announcement. He said in a statement that he has long admired the brand and its use of Australian ingredients.

The deal gives Archie Rose a high profile global ambassador as it attempts a step change from a domestically focused Australian distillery into an internationally distributed spirits brand. For CPG and beverage companies more broadly, celebrity co-ownership structures, rather than simple endorsement deals, have become an increasingly common route for smaller premium brands seeking distribution leverage and brand recognition in new markets, including across Asia, where Archie Rose has signaled its whiskies will arrive following the initial US launch.