Once Luke McCarthy had completed studies in writing, literature and history he then, naturally, began working in bars. At the same time, travels around Europe and the UK ignited his passion for spirits, and when Luke started at Melbourne’s Whisky & Alement, a bar and school of whisky that stocks more than 700 spirits, his passion turned into a working obsession. Soon he found himself writing a drinks column for Fairfax Media’s Executive Style and teaching classes on whisky and spirits for industry and the public. His writing on drinks and travel has now appeared in numerous Australian and international publications, and over the past few years Luke has hassled distillers and blenders in Scotland, Ireland, the United States, France, Spain, Taiwan and, of course, across Australia. He now divides his time between writing, bartending and trying to play cricket for Australia.