Cocktail Daily - Albert I Bar Bellamy, Melbourne

Méry Melrose cognac / Oloroso / butterscotch / stout / hazelnut

Epitomising the French bel ami (beautiful friend) for which it’s named, Bar Bellamy in Carlton is a neighbourhood spot focused on community and conviviality, with a feel that’s akin to being at a dinner party at a friend’s house. Owners Dani and Oska Whitehart set out to create a space where conversation would flow between guests, encouraged by seating at two large communal tables, not to mention the warm hospitality to be found here. A limited number of each cocktail on offer is produced resulting in a menu that changes a few times a week. Bar staff are able to create any classic on request too, making use of the 150-plus bottles on the bar’s shelves, featuring a mix of Australian and international products. Much like the cocktails, the wine list is ever-evolving too, chosen to pair with the dishes on offer.

Their featured creation, Albert, is a masterclass in rich, nocturnal flavors. Built on a sophisticated base of Méry Melrose cognac and complex Oloroso sherry, the cocktail introduces indulgent layers of house-crafted butterscotch, dark stout reductions, and toasted hazelnut. It’s a bold, velvety, and deeply comforting sipper designed for the discerning palate.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Intoxicating notes of roasted hazelnuts and dark cacao from the stout, accented by a buttery, caramelized sweetness of brown butterscotch.

Palate: Rich and texturally luxurious. The dried fruit and oak nuances of the cognac open up first, seamlessly melting into the oxidized nuttiness of Oloroso and the creamy, savory-sweetness of butterscotch.

Finish: Long, warming, and sophisticatedly bittersweet, leaving lingering traces of roasted malt, espresso, and hazelnut oils.

Overall: A beautifully structured, slow-sipping cocktail that perfectly bridges the gap between classic elegance and craft innovation—an absolute must-try in Melbourne’s bar scene.

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