Sydney Elite Event: Yelp’s Good Libations @ Oak Barrel

Last night an exclusive posse of very lucky Yelpers were treated to an evening exploring the wonderful world of booze courtesy of the crack team at the Oak Barrel, one of Australia’s oldest independent bottle shops and the men behind Sydney’s boutique wine, whisky and craft beer & cider fairs.

What better way to spend a wet, wild & woolly evening than warming the cockles in a purpose-built Cellar Room surrounded by historic alcohol paraphernalia? On arrival Yelpers were treated to Happy Goblin, a fermented-in-the-bottle pale ale brewed by two kooky characters in the depths of Mt Kuring-Gai National Park.

The theme of the evening was ‘organic’, and the Oak Barrel’s resident wine expert and all-round bon vivant Julian launched into a masterclass on some of the more unusual organic drops available, beginning with a brilliant ‘95 Henschke Julius Riesling and followed by a cherry-tinctured Las Temps Des Cerises that had one Yelper declaring: “I get a sense of bacon on the palate. And I don’t actually eat bacon, but I get whiffs of what I imagine bacon might smell like!”

Things took a trippier turn with the introduction of biodynamic wines to the table, which are developed using a holistic agricultural method that emphasizes the interrelationship of the vineyard’s soil, plants and animals as a self-sustaining system . . . and which may also involve sundrops, moonbeams and LSD! The verdict on the 06’ Sutton Grange Estate Syrah? Vibrant and delicious.

Then it was surprise competition time: a masked bottle of wine was produced and a series of questions on its origins and flavours asked. Last woman standing was Chloe, who for her troubles took home a bottle of sublime Monkey Shoulder malt whisky! At which point Oak Barrel’s manager Simon took the floor and taught the room how to properly savour a fine whisky before unleashing a sensational Limeburners Single Malt M6 Barrel that had Yelpers straining for hyperboles. So, how does a whisky that retails for over $200 taste? There are no words . . .

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Many thanks to the entire team at the Oak Barrel for an unbelievably fun evening, and to Sam Macdonald from Sam Macdonald Photography for providing the happy snaps on the night. Until next time . . . SYOY!

Ben B
Yelp Community Manager