Whisky Bars We Have Visited

Over the years  Nicola and I have travelled to many Whisky Bars and enjoyed at least one dram in each. I have listed some of the best here. 

The Quaich Bar at Craigellachie Hotel – Craigellachie
A stunning Quaich Whisky Bar boasting some 800 bottles. It is also the home to the Copper Dog Whisky and is found in The Copper Dog Bar.

The Quaich Bar

The Highlander Inn – Craigellachie
Just 50 yards across the road from The Craigellachie Hotel sits The Highlander Inn, a very busy bar with approx. 400 Whiskies. It is also said that it has the largest selection of Japanese drams in the UK.

The Mash Tun – Aberlour
This fine bar has the biggest selection of Glenfarclas drams totalling 52 expressions.

Ballygrant Inn – Isle of Islay
This is an award winning bar and also has comfortable rooms for a short or long stay. With stunning views of the Paps of Jura, when on Islay this is a must visit inn.

The Pot Still, Glasgow
One of my favourite Glasgow Whisky Bars, cosy and intimate with over 700 Whiskies to choose from. Great staff and real ales add to this grand bar.

Port Charlotte Hotel, Islay

Port Charlotte Hotel, Islay
This hotel is recommended in Michelin & Good Food Guides and is highly rated in the Best of Scotland Guide. They hold a Taste our Best Certificate awarded by Visit Scotland. Their residents’ lounge and public bar feature open fires where guests can unwind with convivial company. Local musicians play regularly in the bar. The bar holds a vast array of Islay Malts and local ales and lagers. The optics behind the bar only hold Islay Single Malts. For a grand night of ales and drams this is certainly a place you should visit.

The Black Cat, Edinburgh
Situated in Edinburgh’s famous Rose Street with its many bars and restaurants. So if you love your Whisky this should be the place for you.

The Ardshiel Hotel, Campbeltown

The Ardshiel Hotel, Campbeltown
This hotel has a fabulous Whisky bar and visitors come from all over the world to stay, eat and enjoy some of the 700 Whiskies on offer. The Ardshiel is also a partner bar of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society.

LochIndaal Hotel, Bar and Restaurant, Port Charlotte, Islay
The Lochindaal Hotel in Port Charlotte is one of Islay’s most traditional hotels/bars/restaurants. It is  family run.
The hotel also boasts an impressive collection of rare and unusual Islay and other malt Whiskies which can be viewed from both bars.  Musicians regularly entertain the guests with traditional Scottish music, attracting a merry audience. There are many nights the Whisky Boys have had in this bar, playing pool and darts a jukebox with some fine old songs being played. Any trip to Islay is not complete without a visit to The Lochindaal.

The Artisan Restaurant and Snug Bar, Wishaw
This restaurant and bar must have the strongest shelves in the world as they support over 1,300 bottles of Whisky. Run and owned by Derek Mather the chef and avid Whisky collector. The food is outstanding and the portion size is impressive. Derek’s love is for his finest collection of Bruichladdich Whiskies and memorabilia.

SMWS, The Vaults, Leith

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society
Born in 1983 at The Vaults in Giles Street, Leith. A private members club which over the years has opened Whisky Bar/restaurants in Queen Street, Edinburgh, Greville Street, London and most recently in Bath Street, Glasgow. SMWS has also established partner bars all over the world. SMWS also has established Whisky Ambassadors in many countries throughout the world. It is also said that The Society has the largest selection of single malt at cask strength Whiskies in the world.

The Aria, Las Vegas
Several years ago on a holiday to Las Vegas I visited the Whisky bar in this grand hotel. They had a great selection of Scotch but an even larger selection of Bourbons, Rye and Tennessee Whiskey. On my search for Whiskies I found that some hotel bars were not supporting the USA Whisky brands but one bar was only selling Crown Royal.

Bon Accord, Glasgow

Bon Accord, Glasgow
Located in North Street, this privately owned Whisky bar has been a mecca for Whisky lovers for many, many years. The gantry supports 400 Whiskies, great food and a smashing atmosphere. Enjoy a great selection of real ales with your perfect dram.

Dublin and Cork
I have been to Cork and Dublin on many press trips organised by Irish Distillers. These trips usually involved the launch of new expressions and visits to many Whiskey bars were on the agenda. One of the trips was to Jameson Distillery, Bow Street, Dublin and a grand tour was part of the visit then into the bar for a tasting, some grand drams and cocktails. Going to Dublin then put a visit to Bow Street high on your list.

Whiskey Down, MGM Grand, Las Vegas

Whiskey Down, MGM Grand, Las Vegas
True to its name, Whiskey Down features an impressive selection of more than 50 different types of rare and fine American, Canadian, Irish and Scotch Whiskies along with hand-crafted cocktails and other spirits.

And to finish
These are just a few of the Whisky bars I have enjoyed a dram in but there was one in particular I have to tell you about. All the bars above have had hundreds of bottles to choose from. But, on a family holiday to friends in Detroit I was taken to a bar for the experience. It was Hooters in downtown Detroit with a great selection of beers and lagers. When I asked what Whisky they had as I could not see anything on the gantry behind the bar, the waitress went below the bar and pulled a bottle of Dewar’s White Label and a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label, yes a choice of two. We also visited Hooters in Las Vegas.

I have to finish by letting you know my all time favourite bar, it is The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, Leith. Great staff, great food, fine ales and a selection of single cask, cask strength Whiskies. I never fail to enjoy my trips through to Leith

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