Elegance, glamour, and class are the first things that come to mind when stepping into the Palace Cinema at the Como for an exclusive whisky pairing evening.
Bringing whisky and cinema together is genius and makes for an elevated evening that steps you out of the ordinary movie night slump. For the next three nights, a different film and whisky pairing will be highlighted based on its flavour profile. I had the pleasure of viewing Baz Luhrmann’s 2013 The Great Gatsby, accompanied by The Glendronach’s signature 12-Year-Old single malt.
As someone who usually leans more towards wine than whisky, I had my doubts about how much I would enjoy the evening’s tipple selection. Clearly, I hadn’t met the real stuff before. I also hadn’t had a glass handed to me by dedicated white-gloved ‘whisky butlers’ before, and that certainly helped!
Our host for the evening, Linus L Schaxmann, walked us through our welcome tasting, the signature 12-Year-Old single malt and The Glendronach Masters Anthology – Ode to the Valley.
He gave us a background of The Glendronach, its history and process, with ease, humour, and knowledge. He taught us how to use all our senses to maximise our enjoyment.
Did you know you should smell spirits with your mouth open to avoid that harsh ethanol sting? This really made the evening for me because he was able to invite beginners and experts alike into the conversation and kept the mood playful.
The Great Gatsby’s depiction of the highs and lows of the 1920s is the perfect choice for a paired whisky evening – smooth, a bit raucous, and the epitome of class. Sipping on a whisky dripping in raisin and ginger flavours as Leonardo DiCaprio’s Gatsby raises a glass suddenly seems the only appropriate way to watch the movie.
As the scenes rolled by, our attention turned to another star of the evening: the food.
This was a definite highlight for me. Palace Cinema has completely outdone itself with reimagining what classic cinema tidbits can look like. We started with a serving of their signature sea salt and olive oil popcorn with a generous serving of caviar. My hot tip is to scoop the caviar directly onto the kernel to really mesh the flavours together.
Next up, the decadence continues with a Spanish charcuterie box inspired by The Glendronach’s Andalusian sherry casks, accompanied by a Bramble Sour cocktail.
Each part of this was delightful and made for a wonderful graze throughout the film. It was clear the ingredients had been chosen for their quality and freshness. The cocktail, in particular, was delicious and lemon-y, very fitting given I sipped on it during a particularly ‘tarty’ party scene in the film.
Of course, it wouldn’t be the movies without a choc top, and this one came on a silver platter. Every detail of the evening was top-notch and polished.
We finished with a group slàinte with a tasting of the ultra-rare 30-Year-Old single malt worth over $2,000! Peppery and full in flavour, it was the perfect way to end the evening.
Palace Cinemas is the ideal venue. Surrounded by luxurious leather seats and top-notch service, they really make this event feel extra special. This partnership makes for a fantastic night out for movie fanatics, whisky lovers, and doubters. Prepare to be converted like I was!
Here’s hoping whisky and film nights become a permanent fixture in Palace Cinemas’ repertoire because once you’ve sipped, swirled, and watched like this, there is no going back to Maltesers and Coke.
The Glendronach Whisky-Meets-Film Experience runs at Palace Cinema Como from 12 – 14 November 2025. The Como Centre, Level 1/299 Toorak Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141.
Guests are invited to arrive from 6:30pm for a guided pre-film whisky tasting. Screenings commencing at 7:00pm each evening.
Tickets are available here.
Website: https://www.glendronachdistillery.com/most-luxurious-cinema/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/theglendronachofficial/ and https://www.instagram.com/palacecinemas/
Images supplied.
Film & Whisky Pairings:
Wednesday 12 November – The Glendronach 12-Year-Old x The Great Gatsby (2013)
Coincidentally released 12 years ago, this lavish reimagining of Fitzgerald’s classic is an ode to opulence. The film is a perfect match for the 12-Year-Old’s decadent notes of chocolate praline, gingerbread and sun-dried raisin. Both the whisky and the film celebrate indulgence and nostalgia, tipping a hat to the past while embracing the modern age of luxury.
Thursday 13 November – The Glendronach 15-Year-Old x Y Tu Mamá También (2001)
Acknowledging The Glendronach’s Spanish Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks from Andalucía, this coming-of-age masterpiece from Alfonso Cuarón captures the same warmth and complexity as the 15-Year-Old’s layers of maraschino cherry, honeyed fig and dark chocolate mint. Both are bold, sensual and unafraid to linger on life’s most intoxicating moments.
Friday 14 November – The Glendronach 18-Year-Old x The Godfather (1972)
Dark, complex and enduringly powerful, The Godfather mirrors the 18-Year-Old’s balance of sweetness and spice – rich notes of fudge, fruit compote and toasted walnut that echo the film’s themes of legacy, loyalty and quiet ambition. Both reward patience, reflection and appreciation for craftsmanship passed down through generations.
