Yes, ok – it’s starting to cool down across the country. Winter is creeping in and we’re all sneaking the heater on in the evenings just so we can avoid putting on a jumper and continue living in the delusion that summer is still here.
Well peeps, it’s not. It’s time to think about bunkering down into your rabbit hole and waiting for the biting cold to pass. Dig out your fattest jacket, whack on your thermals and get the DVD player warmed up in time for your Sunday afternoon Will & Grace marathons. And if you need a little winter warmer, may I suggest a nip of whisky?
Stop it. I can see your nose crinkling up from here! Let me explain…
Recently I was privy to an enormous learning curve in this magnificent beverage thanks to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society of Australia. They, and their delightfully warm members, welcomed me into an invite-only tasting session at Whisky & Aliment (formally Chez Regine) – an addictively cosy whisky bar in Melbourne’s CBD.
The Society, a world-wide group of dedicated scotch lovers and makers of award-wining single barrel whisky originating (of course) in Scotland and recently celebrated the launch of Australia’s first bar offering an exclusive ‘members only’ whisky blend for tasting. Whisky & Alement is the proud owner of this unique drop, which is available to SMWS members for $12.50 and $14.50 for non-members.
Of course, you need to know what you’re asking for, and since this secret blend of awesomeness hangs above the bar in an adorable little barrel with no signage or flashing lights, how would us normal non-whisky dedicated folk know of it? Well, now you do. You’re welcome.
The Society taught me that adding just a few drops or water or, if it’s to your liking, an ice cube, to your whisky is like rubbing Aladdin’s lamp – it releases secrets of the whisky you may never have known existed, breaking down the alcohol and allowing the aromas of each individual blend to break through. (NB: perhaps don’t bother adding a few drops to your Johnny Walker red label – it may not have the same impact and I don’t want you to be disappointed with me when it ends up tasting like watery scotch).
It’s becoming apparent that this is, hands down, the beverage we should all be drinking this winter. Put down your glass of Yallumba. Step away from your shiraz – whisky is the way to warm up in Melbourne this year.
However, I’m a professional, so in order for me to be fully convinced of this, I decided to weigh up my experience with the recently launched but still solid in quality Monkey Shoulder whisky with Royal Salute whisky – the Godfather of whisky. The whisky all other whiskies wish they were. With a minimum age of 21 years, most of the blends Royal offer (yeah, that’s right – we’re on first name basis now) are older than all the members of Little Mix combined and have personalities that will possibly make you question your own.
With prices starting from around $160 a bottle for the entry-level drop to $200,000 for the jewel encrusted look-at-it-from-behind-a-glass-case ‘Tribute of Honour’ bottle, it’s no wonder this brand is the royal family’s chosen whisky.
And still, without missing a beat, the drop warms me up, makes me feel at home and reminds me that there is no way on God’s green earth that I want to hang around outside at this time of year.
In conclusion, another Melbourne winter is upon us. If you’re looking for something new to try that doesn’t require you to watch a stupid game of AFL in the rain, sculpt waterfowl out of chunks of ice or perform some kind of serious physical activity to stay warm, then perhaps learn a little more about this bevvy. It’s creeping up there in the popularity stakes, and if my lessons from the SMWS have taught me anything, it’s that there is so much we don’t know about this liquor, and perhaps Melbourne has finally found its perfect match.
Read Robyn’s previous article on Melbourne’s Whiskey Wonderland here.
