When talking whiskey, “fresh, salty, herbal” generally aren’t the first descriptors that come to mind. But sip on a 12-year old Nikki Yoichi and there’s no denying all the flavours are there. The bang-on tasting notes are one of the most charming features at Cobbler, making the 400-strong whiskey list easy to unpack, and minimising the chances of being stuck with something you don’t like.

Want to branch out from Lagavulin and Ardberg? Try the Hakushu Distillers Reserve, a bargain at $12 a nip, with notes of “herbs, cucumber, pine and mint”, and totally different to anything else on offer.

And while the whiskey nerds can sink into the leather chesterfields to pour over the list, cocktails fiends may prefer to perch at the pressed-metal bar, where bartenders will shake up a rock and roll-inspired Led Zeppelin (mango, pisco, campari, lemon and leatherwood honey), or the Motley Crue (Ron Zacapa 23yr rum, crème de cassis, celery bitter and black tea).

If there’s no band upstairs on the mezzanine level, splashed with street art by co-owner Asa Boardman, expect a jazz-influenced soundtrack. While they make take their whiskey seriously, the staff here are all class, with no pretension and easy conversation. As a result, you may have to wait a little longer for your drink on a Saturday night. There’s no food, but you can BYO snacks or order from one of the nearby restaurants, with Little Greek Taverna just next door.

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