Whisky fans appear in every corner of the globe and so do the hotels that cater to them. Say ‘bon voyage’ to lacklustre minibars and head on down to one of these whisky-focused bars, situated in some of the world’s most luxurious and extraordinary hotels.
The Black Rock Bar
The Black Rock Bar in London is a first of it’s kind in the capital. It’s the smallest grand hotel in the city and has three times as many bars as it has rooms. Set to open in September 2019, the lodge has two ‘minimalist but luxurious’ rooms on the second floor and a larger suite on the floor above. The bar itself is a whisky den with a twist. There’s no bar as such; instead, there’s an ancient 18-foot English oak, carved in half and kitted out with whisky and water taps. It’s over 250 whisky-only cocktail menu designed to show the unique flavours of different regions and styles.
The Balmoral Hotel
Scotch, a 20-seater bar at The Balmoral, boasts 500 varieties of whisky – more than any other bar in Edinburgh, Scotland. Guests can choose from one of three journeys focusing on drams from different regions, different decades, or – for the connoisseur – the rare and old. Each Scottish whisky on offer is also accompanied by a specially selected snack.
The Cape Grace
Perched on the V&A Waterfront yacht marina, The Bascule Bar at the Cape Grace in Cape Town parades over 400 whiskies from around the globe and is a must-visit whenever you find yourself in South Africa. With whisky being the beating heart of the place, its skilful bartenders have mastered the art of mixology and shake up signature whisky-based cocktails that can be enjoyed with a selection of tasty tapas.
The Stanley Hotel
Touted as the inspiration behind Steven King’s best-selling novel The Shining, The Stanley Hotel is no ordinary place to stay. Known as one of America’s more haunted hotels, the 47-acre historic estate is located on a hill just above Estes Park. to calm your nerves, make your way over to The Whiskey Bar & Lounge at Cascades Restaurant, where you can peruse a menu of more than 1,200 varieties of whiskey and scotch — Colorado’s largest selection.
Brooks Hotel
Whiskey Aficionados who find themselves in Dublin must pop around to the Jasmine Bar at the Brooks Hotel for a tasting. Guests can sample five different drinks and learn about the history and creation of the liquor. There are more than 100 whiskeys in the bar’s collection, span the world from Sweden to Sri Lanka.
The Da Vinci Hotel
The cigar lounge at the DaVinci Hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg, has been reborn and remodelled into the only whisky bar within the richest square mile in Africa. The MAXIM serves some of the most exclusive and rarest whiskies in the world, with an offering of 140 plus. Members of the bar can buy a bottle of whisky and keep it on-site in their very own whisky ‘keep’. In addition, the bar also offers a World of Whiskey inspired canapé pairing to die for!
