Archie Rose Distilling Co. and Poetica Bar & Grill have collaborated on The Whisky Slow Down – a one-night-only dining experience featuring whisky-aged Riverina beef.

Taking place on 20 August 2025 from 6pm, the event will celebrate the deep, smoky synergy between fire-led cooking and the slow-maturation of whisky.

To create the hero dish, Riverina beef has been dry aged and spritzed daily with Archie Rose Single Malt Whisky. On the night, it will be grilled over repurposed whisky barrel staves for an added depth of flavour – infusing every bite with smoke, char, and spirit. Just as whisky gains character over years in a cask, the dry-aged beef evolves over weeks to develop an intensified flavour and buttery texture.

In addition to the whisky-aged beef centrepiece, the evening will unfold over four courses, exploring unexpected whisky and seafood pairings that showcase the versatility of whisky across the menu.

The experience will begin with Poetica’s signature Flambadou oyster, served alongside an Archie Rose Double Malt Whisky Highball, and will continue with dishes such as coal-seared calamari with white corn, served with Archie Rose Heritage Red Gum Cask Single Malt Whisky, designed to challenge and elevate traditional whisky pairings.

Archie Rose Master Distiller, Dave Withers said: “We have a huge range of experimental whiskies in our portfolio, which provide a spectrum of flavours that can be paired with food. The creative menu is a fantastic complement to the innovative whiskies.”

Head Chef of Poetica Bar & Grill Rhys Allen said: “Collaborating with Dave was a real creative exchange. We tasted nine whiskies, matched rye, malt and cask notes to salty, sweet or smoky ingredients, and built interesting and unexpected pairings like the squid with fermented corn.

“By mirroring whisky making techniques such as fermentation, smoke, maturation and cooking over barrel staves, we have created dishes that truly reflect the spirit.”

For those unable to attend the dinner, the 600g whisky-aged Riverina striploin MBS 3+will remain available as a limited-time menu feature at Poetica from 21 August to 20 September.

Book The Whisky Slow Down dinner here.