Melbourne’s whisky and spirit festival, the 2023 Melbourne Whisky Week has been unbottled today with unique tasting events in venues across the city, bayside and surrounding suburbs running through until Sunday, August 27.
This 10-day celebration of local and international whisky and spirits promises to provide spirit lovers with an explosion of taste, entertainment and experience, from rare drams, fine drops and delicious cocktails to new whisky releases.
Melbourne Whisky Week, supported by Lexus of Brighton, will feature bespoke behind-the-scenes distillery tours, masterclasses in whisky and spirits, elegant dinners paired with the best drams, unique cocktails, a delectable whisky-cake pairing, and cheese and whisky flights.
“There is something for everyone at Melbourne Whisky Week, with mouthwatering options for all matter of tastes,” says Co-Director, Tyson McGeoch.
“There’s exciting new and outstanding flavours and experiences for whisky connoisseurs to try both from local and international whisky houses, and for spirit lovers there will be a magnitude of tastes and experiences on offer.
“It’s also a wonderful opportunity to discover the Australian varieties of whisky and spirits that are enjoying great success on the world stage and have a growing audience at home at well.”
A highlight of the 2023 festival will be the whisky and spirit trail on Hampton Street, Hampton across the 10 days. People will be able to bar (and restaurant) hop along the stylish bayside street and sample exceptional tastes in food and liquor. Traders will showcase whisky, spirits, cocktails and wine, pairing drinks with delicious seasonal menus and snacks.
Le Bar Supper Club in Beaumaris will be the festival hub bar, and will feature a dedicated whisky menu for Whisky Week. It will serve up specially curated, crafted cocktails, infused with the distinct flavours of Laphroaig whisky, paying homage to the sophistication and allure of the 1920s.
Brands being showcased at the festival include Glenmorangie, Starward, Macallan, Laphroaig, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, Little Lon Distilling Co, Bakery Hill, Fossey’s, Timboon Distillery, Backwoods Distilling Co, Slane and Chief’s Son.
2023 Melbourne Whisky Week
Starts Today
Friday, August 18 – Sunday, August 27
For bookings and further information visit www.whiskyweek.com.au
Instagram: @whisky_week
#MWW 
Melbourne Whisky Week Festival Highlights:
- Cocktails in the Clouds
Degustation Pairing Experience at Eureka 89. Celebrate Melbourne Whisky Week on August 21 with a four-course tasting menu curated by Eureka 89’s executive chef, Renee Martillano. Join our whisky ambassador to experience a food and whisky matching journey, highlighting whisky’s food-friendly flavour profiles.
- Meet the Makers Tasting at Fossey’s
Steve Timmis from Fossey’s Distilling Co, Josh Walker and Charlie Johnson from Timboon Distillery, and Leigh Attwood from Backwoods Distilling Co take you on a whisky journey on August 18 and 19. Sample six of their finest whiskies while enjoying tasty tapas.
- Whisky and Cake Pairing at Beneath Driver Lane
An afternoon to remember on Sunday, August 19, when Black Star Pastry and Beneath Driver Lane come together. Indulge your senses in an exquisite partnership that combines the sophistication of Melbourne’s renowned whisky bar, Beneath Driver Lane, with the masterful artistry of Black Star Pastry, innovators of unique and visually stunning desserts.
The team from Black Star Pastry reveal the artistry and flavour profiles of their cakes and pair them with exquisite whisky. Beneath Driver Lane, which boasts more than 500 bottles of whisky, will also stage whisky tasting classes and offer a whisky week flight for 10 days.
- Melbourne Whisky Week Festival Hub at Le Bar Supper Club
Step back in time to the glamorous era of the 1920s with Le Bar Supper Club’s exciting collaboration with Laphroaig. This decadent Beaumaris bar has curated three special and unique cocktails that pay homage to the sophistication and allure of the Roaring Twenties. Celebrate the art of mixology and the rich heritage of Laphroaig whisky in an unforgettable evening of elegance, style, and unparalleled libations.
- Hampton Street Trail
Bar-hop your way along this spectacular bayside street during the festival as a dozen or so venues serve up specially curated whisky, cocktails, spirits and wine menus, paired with tasty morsels. Venues include Garf’s Bar, Sebastian’s Food and Wine, Hampton Wine Co, Fazio, Feast Wine Bar, Our Casa, and Brown Cow.
- Little Lon’s First Whisky Release
Melbourne’s smallest distillery, Little Lon Distillery, is gearing up to serve its first whisky, crafted during Melbourne’s Covid lockdown. The Little Lon Distilling Co has a unique history, tucked away in the heart of the CBD’s former red-light district. The tiny, single-story heritage cottage was once the site of a brothel, then a speakeasy, and in 2018 it became home to Melbourne’s only CBD distillery. Crafted in what is possibly Australia’s smallest distillery, owner and distiller Brad Wilson matured his whisky in a holding cell at the Melbourne Jail and it will be available for tastings during the festival.
- Cocktails and Whisky (and Cheese) at Bar 1806
Discover 1806, a unique cocktail bar tucked within Melbourne’s vibrant heart. A time capsule encapsulating the Prohibition era’s charm, this establishment will pay homage to quaffable whisky cocktails, presented by its knowledgeable and spirited team. There will be three drams to taste, along with a cocktail featuring each dram, all paired up with premium cheese.
- Bakery Hill Distillery Tour
A behind-the-scenes distillery tour and tasting at the new distillery in Kensington on August 26. Hosted by Bakery Hill Whisky distiller David Baker, it will feature a tour of the distiller’s new distillery in Kensington and exclusive tour tastings.
Melbourne Whisky Week runs from August 18-27 at venues across Melbourne.
Head to www.whiskyweek.com.au for the full program and how to book tickets.
