The Elysian

AT THEIR NEW dedicated whisky bar, Yao Wong and Kelvin Low are making it their life’s mission to hunt down the world’s rarest drams. Got a spare $600? A bottle of 32-year-old single cask Scotch from world-leading bottlers Adelphi can be yours. All the big names of whisky are present and accounted for but the real action and intrigue here comes from the independent bottlers. If you’re new to whisky, independent bottling is like cleanskin wine but way more prestigious. They buy barrels of whisky directly from distilleries and then bottle (and sometimes blend) the whisky themselves under their own label. Some distilleries prefer to remain anonymous, so their Scotch is released without identification. Sitting up at the bar, we settle on a single malt aged for 18 years, distilled in the Scottish Highlands and bottled by the German brand Liquid Sun. It has subtle floral tones and a touch of smoke, and its mellow flavour makes it a great gateway whisky to try before moving onto something bolder. Next up, we try one that has been aged for 24 years in a sherry cask. The cocktail list is a modest mix of timeless tipples, like whisky highballs, alongside green-hued cocktails infused with matcha. We aren’t easily swayed by gimmicks but the ‘Espresslo’ Martini is a triumph. They make it with 12-yearold Glenfiddich and pantry staples condensed milk, instant coffee and Milo. It’s a minor miracle that it works, with the Milo and coffee providing a strong, sweet start, but the smooth whisky finish leaves you in no doubt you’re drinking a whisky cocktail, and a good one.