I got invited by the lovely guys at Eau De Vie to attend their first Johnnie Walker tasting night event of the year. Now I’m not usually a big fan of Scotch, I have to be honest. I figured I’d give it a shot, if nothing else I could review it as a great gift for the blokes in the relationship thingy types (forget what they’re called) out there.
Now let me start with the venue, it’s simply a very classy, uber cool establishment – it has character, atmosphere and the most amazing drink selection you’ve ever seen. Deep mahogany tones (a lot of Anchorman type reference here), leather seats and 1940’s style design ooze glamour and sophistication. With this in mind however, the mixture of clientele only proves how it is a ‘one-size fits all’ kinda place – Gentlemen who drink scotch on the rocks. Ladies who lunch with a cosmopolitan and guys who want their rum and coke (or shock horror – a schooner) it has it all.
It’s located at the very back of the Kirketon Hotel with no signage out front. Cue driving around in a taxi – not helped by the fact that the numbers go up on one side of the road, and down on the other – not confusing, not confusing at all!! Grrrrr
Once you manage to locate the place however it is well worth it, I like to call it escapism at its best – your transported into a pre world war, high society, Manhattan type bar.
The stunning bar
We didn’t have time to get a pre-tasting session drink as we were late (due to the street number fiasco!). We were ushered into the tasting room – decedent space lined with every kind of whisky you can imagine. The room holds about 25 people and we all sat around the edges of the room. At the front of the room is James, a cocktail/ Johnnie Walker connoisseur. He owns Grandma’s Bar – a venue I hope to frequent soon!
James...
We’re walked through the history of Johnnie Walker and other whiskey from around the world – Japanese, Irish, Canadian and American. Suffice to say, me and the lovely Georgia didn’t fair to well on any of the taste tests.
I did however get a gold star and a pat on the back (performed by myself as only cool people do) when I correctly pointed out that the reason they fill the ice with glass for ‘Scotch on the rocks’ is so that the ice doesn’t melt as fast! (I learned this during my cocktail bar tending days in Manchester – good times.)
Another shining moment – that saw James asking what you’re meant to do with Scotch – a guy shouted out “to be drunk!” to which Georgia shouted: “Just like me!” he he. We also agreed that we are in fact ‘on the rocks’ kinda girls. Quite a revelation!
I won’t spoil the whole tasting session for you, otherwise you won’t need to go will you, but let me tell you, it is the IDEAL Valentine’s gift for your other half.
At the end of the tasting session we were welcomed into the bar to sample some Johnnie Walker cocktails – yum!
Def go check it out for yourself! You won’t be disappointed!
Address 229 Darlinghurst Road, Darlinghurst, 9357 2470 Open Mon-Sun, 6pm-1am
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