Whisky and Alement — Restaurant in Melbourne

I've been meaning to visit this whisky bar for a while now. With two other whisky amateurs in tow, we arrived on a Friday afternoon and were promptly seated at the bar. It's the best place to witness the deep expertise of the bartenders, a plethora of whisky on display, and to hear the most splendid stories and recommendations on what to drink and why.

As an introduction, my two companions had the apple juice cocktail, which was refreshing and delicious. It was easy to drink too much in as little time!

To whet our initial curiosity, we asked for something sweet and friendly for beginners, so the bartender gave us a Speyside, a Glenrothes 18 that impressed my companion to no end and has likely converted him to contemplative, whisky drinking.

A bit more experienced, I had a Springbank 12, and the 18 was given to my companion to try. As always, this Campbell distillery cannot disappoint as the vegetal, earthy sweetness really situated us within the bar, which had a warm, vintage feel --all dark wood and soft light. Our bartender was generous with her knowledge, which was deeply engaging and impressively broad. We listened in rapt attention as she explained how the current bottlings don't seem to live up to the ones before, now that Springbank has gained more popularity and a rabid international following that's kept it in short supply.

The indulgence of the night was a Bruichladdich 1994 Black Art, which I'd been meaning to try precisely at this bar since a bottle is prohibitively expensive. Whisky and Alement boasts one of the most comprehensive whisky collections in the country. I visited for precisely this reason and I wasn't disappointed! The Black Art is an amazing serve that sings with undulating complexity, romantic hardness, and unpeated, golden inquisition at every sip. Note that one can order half a serve for half the price, extending one's wallet and ability to drink more if 30ml per serve is too much. I did that with the Black Art and now I can say I've tasted a once-in-a-lifetime dram without having to buy an entire bottle!

But it wasn't just whisky we were introduced to. We asked for some gin recommendations and received some names we'd never heard of, all rated highly. Naturally, whisky distilleries also produce gin in order to make a quick buck because whisky takes years to age. Our bartender displayed beautiful bottles of The Botanicals and The Isle of Harris, the former bottled in Islay by Bruichladdich and the latter, a Scottish award winner.

So, if the knowledge and conversational skills of the bartenders don't entice you, or the sheer amount of choice of whisky, or even the warm, comfortable ambiance, then maybe the other types of alcohol, cocktails, and even the snacks will, eventually. It was such an unforgettable, charming experience! I highly recommend this bar to anyone looking for a journey through spirits, attention-grabbing conversations with experts, an enjoyable time with friends, and a place where all the above are deeply respected. Keep doing what you're doing, Whisky & Alement! There isn't any other place doing it...

I spent four days in Melbourne over the weekend—a great city, especially when it comes to food. By chance, I discovered the whisky bar Whisky & Alement on Saturday evening.

The bar boasts an impressive selection of whiskies, and the staff are friendly, enthusiastic, and highly knowledgeable. I opted for a tasting set, which was fantastic, and the detailed insights from the staff made the experience even better.

During our conversation, one of the staff members asked how long I’d be in Melbourne. “Four days,” I replied. He then suggested I visit every evening to try more whiskies, as the bar was open daily.

On Sunday evening, I returned from my tour later than planned but still wanted to round off my day with another great whisky experience. I hurried across the city—according to Google, Whisky & Alement was open until 10:00 PM. However, when I arrived at 9:30 PM, a staff member was just about to close the door. He informed me that the last orders had already been taken and that they would be closing soon. When I asked if I could quickly order a whisky, he firmly declined. Disappointed, I headed back to my hotel.

On Monday, my last evening in Melbourne, I decided to try again. The listed closing time was once again 10:00 PM. After dinner, I took a leisurely stroll toward the bar around 8:00 PM, looking forward to a satisfying end to my trip. But despite the information on Google and their official website, the bar was closed.

Another disappointment. What I find frustrating is that the staff member had encouraged me to return, yet his suggestion ultimately led to nothing. This left a lasting negative impression. Reliability and professionalism do not seem to be priorities at Whisky & Alement, which is why, unfortunately, I cannot recommend the bar.

Thankfully, that evening I found another fantastic whisky bar, where I was able to enjoy the perfect...

As one would hope, this bar is true to it's namesake. To expect huge, varied, and grand selections beyond your ale and whiskey would be foolish.

However! There is a considered handful of other offerings (I skimmed but can't wholly attest to it from memory, there's a few cocktails), so if your friends aren't about brown drams assure them they shouldn't fret, there's plenty respit.

The backbar is blatantly impressive, sporting familiar players from various distilleries, plus independent bottlings and rarities no longer in circulation. With or without cues, you'll receive poignant recommendations from staff with a deep comprehensive knowledge of their broad selection. It's pretty mind blowing; if your interest peaks they'll have several factoids ready to spill off the top of their head, and if you've further questions they've got the answers too.

Bonafide liquor guides Shane, Emma, and Ethan(?) were all very forthcoming and kind, even offering half a nip if a whiskey happened to be on the pricier side, their service and attention more than appreciated. I felt very looked after.

I'd argue Boilermaker House and W&A are perfect companions a mere walk away from one another. There are busier periods, but the vibe here is suitably casual and hardly overwhelming, a place to chat with friends as much as it is one to visit solo, while the former is a venue built for a touch more party and movement. The average crowd does seem a little older, but that's no real surprise nor reason to avoid this super cozy nook (for real, it's so so cozy). All company is welcome!

My only caveat, and I don't know if it's heresy, is a distinct lack of Drambuie. I just love my Rusty Nails too...