Some of Canberra’s most innovative restaurants and bars have taken advantage of the yearly celebration of World Whisky Day. Introducing whisky weeks and even a whole month of celebrations. Saturday the 18 of May marks the day of the event and invites everyone to celebrate all types of whisky, however you may enjoy it. There is even something for those who aren’t serious lovers of the drink. As winter is setting in, this is a perfect time to get out of the cold and have a nip of Whisky (or two) and keep warm with family and friends.

We have narrowed it down to the top 5 restaurants and bars in the capital who have each found new and creative ways to serve whisky. Don’t stress if you aren’t an expert on the drink, there are masterclasses and tastings available for you to broaden your palate and learn a thing or two on different types of whiskies.

Lazy Su

Head to the popular Braddon restaurant from the 13th to the 19th to taste their large selection of whiskies and deals on offer. They are celebrating the day for the whole week with whisky specials, flights and masterclasses. There are also special cocktails available, made especially for those who don’t love whisky. There are two different masterclass sessions to choose from on Saturday, including a food pairing.

Tickets and information about what is included are available on their website.

Molly

Join Molly’s bar on Wednesday night for a masterclass and guided tasting session. Guests will have a chance to try three different single malts from the Bruichladdich Distillery in Scotland, including one voted world peatiest whisky. Complimentary charcuterie platters are also included. Don’t worry if you miss out on tickets, on the 30th of May the bar is hosting another masterclass on the Nikka range of single malts.

To buy tickets and find out more information on the night head to Molly’s website.

QT

Enjoy 15th floor views at the QT lounge on the 18th of June and be guided through an exclusive whisky tasting with Macallan Whisky Master, Josh O’Brian. The tasting will include rare samplings of Macallan’s finest paired with charcuterie platters to share. Guests will also have the opportunity to be one of the first in Australia to try a 12-year-old Sherry Cask exported to Australia for the first time in 10 years.

Get in quick and buy tickets and find out more information on the night.

Lilo Bar

For those who don’t enjoy whisky neat, Lilo Bar by LiloTang is serving up a Matcha Tang High Japanese Whisky Cocktail. They also hold limited stock of the popular Suntory whiskies which is no longer supplying to Australia, so get in quick and try a shot before it all goes. Enjoy your drink at the bar with friends or your partner, then move on to their restaurant for a delicious meal.

For reservations head to Hotel Realm’s website.  

Hippo Co

Try a selection of six whiskies with a cheese board inspired by World Whisky Week this month at Hippo Co. The tasting is perfect after a long day and is available on Wednesdays and Thursdays. For first time drinkers who don’t know much about whisky, don’t worry as a whisky expert will guide you through and tell you everything you need to know. The bar also has over 280 whiskies to choose from, so go in on Monday to Saturday to try and enjoy some Jazz.

Tickets and details are available on their website.

Raku

If you feel like something sweet, try Japanese restaurant, Raku’s whisky chocolate fondant with sticky miso caramel and whisky ice cream. It is full of flavour and is sure to delight your taste buds.

World Whisky day is at the end of this week. So get in quick for exclusive tickets and reservations.