How to progress a whisky bar that already ranks among the world's best? You go next level, of course. Or, in Whisky & Alement's case, upstairs.
Julian White and Brooke Hayman's Melbourne Whisky Room is, as its name suggests, a definitive statement. Laden with cabinets and shelves of vintage, collectable and independent whisky and whiskey to try or buy, the quaint space boasts around 300 on-pour bottles – bringing the venues' combined collection to well over 1000.
Included are 70-odd offerings from Highlands distilleries made available through partnership with the Scotch Malt Whisky Society; a swag of rare-as-hen's-teeth independent Scottish single malts from the 1950s through to the 1980s, and some super-smooth Japanese labels from the owners' private collection.
![European-style bar snacks at the Melbourne Whisky Room.](/web/20170310170320im_/http://www.goodfood.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/t/5/b/o/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gup8t6.png/1489027338984.jpg)
While some pours aren't exactly wallet-friendly – you'll shell out $145 for a nip of "extremely rare" bottle of Lagavulin 12 Year Old – there's plenty for the thrifty.
"We want to give our customers a chance to taste the development of the whisky industry over the last six decades," Hayman says.
The whisky list is capped by a decent range of craft beers, by-the-glass wines and cocktails – try the Clapping Hands Highball ($18), with Hakushu Distillers Reserve and Speyside Glenlivet water – and European-style bar snacks include mixed olives, pork lomo (cured tenderloin) and cheese.
![The tiny Melbourne Whisky Room is crammed with more than 1000 vintage, collectable and independent whiskies.](/web/20170310170320im_/http://www.goodfood.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/t/5/9/x/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gup8t6.png/1489027338984.jpg)
The venue will also host private tastings, classes and guest speakers. Time to don your tweed jacket and hunker in for winter.
Open Thu-Fri 5pm-1am; Sat 7pm-1am.
Level 1, 270 Russell Street, Melbourne, whiskyandale.com.au