Bacardi-Martini's Aberfeldy whisky has partnered with The Urban Beehive in Sydney and Rooftop Honey in Melbourne for a cocktail making adventure: Barrel & Bees.

It's the local iteration of a global initiative in which Aberfeldy partners with beekeepers around the world to raise awareness and support local bee - and honey-making - communities.

While the dates are set to be confirmed, Bacardi-Martini has plans afoot to host bartenders from Melbourne and Sydney on a day out to learn how honey is made, the types of honey available in Australia, conservation, why bees are important to our ecosystem and, of course, how to use honey in drinks.

Following their bee education, bartenders will head back to the bar get creative. Their task is to put their spin on the Aberfeldy classics - the Hot Toddy and the Golden Dram.

“Just like honey, Aberfeldy whisky is available across the world. Urban beehives are thriving across Australia and we are proud to partner with local producers, incorporating delicious tasting honey which is unique to each site into Aberfeldy cocktails,” said Georgie Mann, Aberfeldy Brand Ambassador.

Aberfeldy’s water source is the famous Pitilie Burn, renowned for its water quality and famed for its deposits of alluvial gold. These deposits earned Aberfeldy the name The Golden Dram.

Time-honored techniques, such as long fermentation, conjure rare honeyed notes - key to the signature sweetness of Aberfeldy whisky. Barrels & Bees is the perfect project to bring these two worlds together.

These cocktails will then be on offer to consumers with Aberfeldy making a donation for each cocktail sold going to an Australian bee charity that promotes the importance of bees for food security, and raises funds for research that addresses the national and global threats to bees.

Aberfeldy whisky is highly-awarded, having received over 150 Gold and Double-Gold medals and best enjoyed in these classics which you can try at home:

Gold Fashioned

A simple twist on the classic old fashioned, with local honey accentuating the honeyed richness of Aberfeldy 12 year old whisky.

  • 50ml Aberfeldy 12
  • Local honey syrup
  • 2 dashes of Angostura Bitters
  • 2 dashes orange bitters
  • Glass: Double rocks
  • Ice: Gold Ice Cube / Ice Cube
  • Garnish: Orange zest

Golden Hot Toddy

Hot, spicy and zesty, we mix a bespoke hot toddy mix with Aberfeldy 12, local honey, lemon juice and hot water for this winter warmer.

  • 50ml Aberfeldy 12
  • 15ml Local honey syrup
  • 20ml Lemon juice
  • Spice mix
  • Garnish:Lemon Slice

Honey Highball

Tall and refreshing, this is a slightly unusual twist on the classic whisky highball featuring chilled herbal tea as the mixer.

  • 50ml Aberfeldy 12
  • 120ml Sweetened chilled chamomile tea*
  • 5ml Lemon juice
  • Garnish: Lemon slice

Once tea is brewed, add 1tsp local honey and stir to dissolve before chilling.

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