Melbourne Whisky Room takes its obsession to the next level

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. Photo: Wayne Taylor

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.