Elite Sullivans Cove Whisky Event at Apollo Inn
Our amazing afternoon with Sullivans Cove whisky and their exclusive Apollo Inn collaboration was nothing short of a whisky lover’s dream, set in the heart of Melbourne’s iconic Apollo Inn in Flinders Lane.
Sullivans Cove, a trailblazer in Australian whisky since the early 1990s, has earned global acclaim for its bold, balanced single-cask expressions that let the spirit shine.
This intimate tasting, celebrating a rare partnership, showcased their Apollo Inn American Oak Single Cask—a vibrant, textural masterpiece matured over 15 years and priced at $480. Stepping into Apollo Inn feels like stepping back to 1844, when it opened as one of Melbourne’s first public houses. Today, it’s a sanctuary of cocktail artistry, blending history with modern flair, and the perfect stage for this unforgettable whisky experience.
The Apollo Inn cask, a first-fill American oak marvel, burst with tropical fruit, citrus, and anise, its unreal texture dancing across the palate. We tasted it side by side with the Sullivans Cove American Oak Second-Fill Single Cask TD0447, distilled in 2013 and matured for 10 years in a cask previously used for an older batch of Sullivans Cove whisky.
The second-fill, with its subtler oak influence, was a study in restraint, highlighting the distillery’s spirit-driven character. Yet, the Apollo cask won my heart with its bold, vibrant depth—a testament to the additive and extractive magic of American oak. Sullivans Cove’s small-batch approach, using 200- to 300-litre casks, ensures each bottle is a unique expression of craft and quality, unlike standardized blends from larger distilleries.
Guided by Apollo Inn’s Lachlan Bentley and Sullivans Cove brand ambassador Ally Bhana, the tasting was as much about storytelling as it was about whisky. Their passion brought the heritage of both the bar and the distillery to life, making this intimate session feel like a private journey into single-cask excellence. Apollo Inn’s decadent winter menu elevated the experience, with seasonal bites like seasoned beef tartare, gnocco fritto, a hunter-style salad with rich Aylesbury duck, and truffled Comté toast, each dish harmonizing with the whiskies’ complex profiles.
The cocktails were a revelation. The Sullivans Cove Highball, blending the Apollo Inn cask with golden osmanthus and Vichy Catalan soda, was refreshingly bright, its effervescence amplifying the whisky’s fruit notes. A Manhattan-style cocktail followed, a masterful mix of Sullivans Cove double cask, Sweetheart vermouth, Cocchi Barolo Chinato vermouth, angostura bitters, and unaged raspberry distillate, served with brioche and truffle. It was a decadent nod to classic cocktails, reimagined with Melbourne’s signature flair. We enjoyed a third cocktail, a stunning Manhattan featuring Sullivans Cove whisky, that was also a showstopper.
Sullivans Cove’s reputation rests on its ability to balance oak and spirit, creating whiskies that are robust yet refined. Their single-cask expressions, like the Apollo Inn collab, are rare treasures, each barrel meticulously selected to showcase the distillery’s exceptional spirit. The first-fill Apollo cask, with its bold oak influence, stood in striking contrast to the subtler second-fill, offering a masterclass in maturation’s transformative power. At $480, the Apollo cask is a testament to small-batch excellence, a bottle that embodies heritage and innovation.
Apollo Inn, with its timeless ambiance, channels Melbourne’s 1844 roots while embracing the future of cocktail culture. This collaboration with Sullivans Cove is a celebration of craftsmanship, where every dram tells a story—of Tasmania’s rugged landscapes, Melbourne’s vibrant spirit, and the artisans who pour their hearts into every bottle. The tasting was an intimate, exclusive experience.
For whisky lovers, Apollo Inn’s winter menu is a call to join a revolution of flavour, where curated dishes and innovative cocktails elevate each sip. This is a journey into the heart of Australian whisky, a rare partnership that captures the essence of craft, quality, and connection. Here’s to bold flavors, iconic bars, and the city that brings them together in perfect harmony.