There’s a question that’s long been an internet meme among various movie fandoms — who is your favourite Chris? The Captain America fans say Evans, the Guardians of the Galaxy fans say Pratt, and the Trekkies say Pine. Well for the whisky enthusiasts, the answer is now very clear — Hemsworth.
After rising to fame for his multi-year stint in the Australian soap Home and Away, Hemsworth shot to global stardom for his role as Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This stint in the MCU has led him to starring in two of the top 10 highest-grossing films of all time, and there’s no doubt his upcoming Avengers: Doomsday in December is going to give many on that list a run for their money. But now, the next venture for the Aussie superstar couldn’t be further away from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. Archie Rose Distilling Co have announced that the actor has joined as a co-owner, alongside founder Will Edwards.
Archie Rose was founded in 2014 by Edwards, after he left a corporate job and opted to travel in search of an answer to a very important question: why weren’t there more distilleries in Australia, specifically in the cities, and could one be established? Since its inception 12 years ago, Archie Rose has become one of the most reliable names in Australian whisky. For historical reference, while Archie Rose’s foundation was underway, Hemsworth was filming Avengers: Age of Ultron.
“I’ve been a fan of Archie Rose for a long time,” says 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.”
Hemsworth’s co-ownership comes as the distillery looks to roll out a global expansion. The first will be an expansion into the US market at the end of 2026, before a rollout continues in 2027 with both EU and UK markets. This marks a significant step for the Australian brand to become a globally recognised staple of the country. Speaking to Marie-Ève Venne for Whisky Magazine in 2022, Edwards mentioned the importance of the “understanding of the relationship between grower and land.” Since then, the brand has continued to be best known locally for its support of its community.
The distillery has partnered with local growers to source heirloom and drought-resistant grain varieties for its whiskies. Made exclusively using own-grown malts, this is something that stood out for Hemsworth, who says, “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.” “Our approach has always been about championing local ingredients to create spirits that taste truly Australian,” says 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.”
It’s no surprise to see Hemsworth so closely involved with a distillery which has put environmentalism and local ethos at the centre of its story. Along with his wife Elsa Pataky, Hemsworth has supported Oceana, a charity working to protect marine life and support sustainable seafood resource. He has also served as brand ambassador for Corona and Parley for the Oceans and is currently a cultural advisory board member for Colossal Biosciences, which works on genetic technologies finding ways for ecosystem restoration. There are many more to name, such is the size and scope of Hemsworth’s activism efforts and contributions to many different causes and campaigns.
In June 2026, Archie Rose was officially B Corp certified. B Corp certification recognises businesses that meet high standards for how they treat people, communities, and the environment. Certified companies are assessed on their social and environmental impact, as well as their transparency and accountability. It shows that a business is committed to creating positive change alongside making a profit.
Behind the international expansion is creation of three new whisky expressions, with Hemsworth closely involved. “Working alongside Chris on this range has been an incredibly collaborative journey,” explains Edwards. “As a long-time fan of our spirits, we’ve worked with Chris to co-create three truly Australian whiskies — from shaping the brand identity and packaging to developing the creative assets and campaign work.”
While Archie Rose is keeping its cards close to its chest for now, there is definitely an air of excitement for the introduction of these whiskies in October. Their release will also make a significant statement: that Hemsworth’s involvement is not all about image, but instead involves a lot of collaboration and creation. Regarding the liquid itself, Edward says, “Our goal remains to showcase the breadth, quality, and distinctive character of Australia’s raw ingredients alongside the innovation and ingenuity of our Sydney distillery. The production process continues to be proudly led by our award-winning team under master distiller Dave Withers, and we can’t wait to introduce these three distinct whiskies to the world this October.”
The new releases will no doubt be the latest in a long line of acclaimed whiskies since Archie Rose’s inception, but there’s no denying the addition of Hemsworth’s involvement has created even more buzz and excitement. In 2020, the brand took home the highly coveted honour of World’s Best Rye for its signature Rye Malt Whisky. Speaking at the time, Edwards said that “we’re honestly blown away by the result”. The World Whiskies Awards have continued to be a source of success for Archie Rose, with the most recent success coming at the 2026 awards as a category winner for its Blended Malt.
Hemsworth may be best known for playing one of fiction’s most iconic mythical characters in one of the biggest fantasy film franchises of all time, but his latest venture represents something much more grounded. While being one of the biggest film stars of the last 20 years, the time has come to bring Archie Rose into the global spotlight as the next big A-lister.
