From the $125 snifter to Scotch and Steak with the old-boys, here are the haute picks to satisfy your craving for sweet sips of liquid gold.
The Whisky Attic at the Freakin’ Frog features more than 600 whiskies, perhaps the largest collection in the country.
“I love scotch. Scotchy, Scotch, Scotch. Here it goes down, down into my belly…” Oh, Ron Burgundy. We know the feeling. Scotch is that lovely brown elixir made from malt and grain, produced in Highland, Lowland, Islay, Speyside and Campbeltown in Scotland. While Scotch can only be made in Scotland, whisky and all of its incarnations (whiskey, bourbon, rye) have their own hideaways in Las Vegas where you can order up two fingers, neat or on the rocks. Here’s a look at the top five.
However you prefer it, it is one of the smoothest drinks around. It adds major class and an old Hollywood glamour to any event. Imagine a dimly lit lounge, jazz trio playing on the bandstand, rich mahogany furniture and a soothing glass of scotch…neat or on the rocks, it doesn’t really matter. Atlanta has many places to indulge your love of scotch and its’ various brands. Here are the top places where scotch reigns supreme.
Fado Irish Pub
Buckhead is the place where one of the best pubs in Atlanta, and best places to have a nice scotch, resides. Fado Irish Pub has been an Atlanta staple for many years and their highly praised reputation is well-deserved. Extensive isn’t enough to describe their scotch selection, with some of the top brands gracing the shelves. A few standout brands include: Johnnie Walker Red & Black, Chivas Regal, Glenmorangle, Glennfiddich and the Glenlivet just to give you an idea of all the smooth flavors you can expect when you stop in for a drink. The authentic and welcoming atmosphere is a bonus and there is always a celebration of some sort, so every night feels like a party.
Fado Irish Pub is located at 273 Buckhead Ave. 404.841.0066
XO Bar
Located inside the lobby of the InterContinental Buckhead hotel, this is the most upscale entry on the list and the perks are endless. Celebrities, entourages, limos and Lamborghinis are among the usual suspects found at the ultra-exclusive spot. Although XO Bar specializes in cognac, and quite a wide variety, they still know how to serve up an expert scotch and soda. Enjoy Talisker, Glenfarclas and Highland Park brands to wet your whistle. Bring your shades for the inevitable star-gazing.
XO Bar is located at 3315 Peachtree Rd. NE 404.946.9000
Drinkshop
Another hidden gem located within a hotel, this time it’s the W Atlanta-Downtown. With a name like Drinkshop expect several different drinks, top-shelf liquor and signature cocktails. Of those signature drinks, there is one particular concoction made with scotch that is the talk of the town. It’s called a “Penicillin” and it has blended scotch, lemon juice, ginger-honey syrup and Islay scotch, it is a definite “must”, but also quite strong so be prepared. The bartenders are very knowledgeable and helpful regarding any of your spirit inquiries, so don’t hesitate to ask which scotch they recommend.
Drinkshop is located at 45 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd. 404.582.5800
The Brick Store Pub
Head over to east Atlanta and experience a bar with plenty of old-world charm and a classic menu. The Brick Store may lean towards their beer selections, but the scotch and other liquors are also very well-represented. Obvious brands Johnnie Walker Red & Black and also Springbank are perfect choices for your scotch cravings. Don’t leave without having a bite of some great American food; burgers, salads, pasta and fish & chips will soak up any remnants of alcohol you want to hide.
The Brick Store Pub is located at 125 East Court Sq. 404.687.0990
The BookHouse Pub
In the Old Fourth Ward of Virginia Highlands lies this cool, understated spot known to offer a good time through food, entertainment and of course spirits. It’s also a very friendly place where after a few repeat visits, the bartenders will remember your name. Get your scotch fix with Lagavulin, Macallan and Ardbeg, while enjoying the outdoor patio and music blaring from the retro jukebox.
The BookHouse Pub is located at 736 Ponce De Leon Ave. 404.254.1176
Like Haute Living Atlanta? Join our Facebook page. Want Haute Living Atlanta delivered to your inbox once a week? Sign up for our newsletter.
If ever there were a drink that rides the fine line between elegant, good taste and a hard, gritty, dark kind of place, it would be a whisky on the rocks. Ever since the 15th century, Scotch whisky has cast its unique spell over drinkers and here in London we’ve sought solace with it through rough times and good. Yet, here in 2010, the modern and sleek whisky bars dotted throughout the capital suggest that our relationship with the tipple is currently cool and healthy. Marie Teather checks five of them out.
Let’s face it: people who drink scotch are “scotch people.” Cosmo lovers aren’t necessarily “vodka people,” just as Bud Light drinkers aren’t “beer people” (no offense, but, blech.) No, your taste buds have to be particularly deft and discerning to appreciate the nuances of a good scotch, and if that’s you, you know the difference between a real scotch list and a few basics on the premium liquor menu. To that end, here’s a list of some of the best places to get a good Speyside, Dallas side.
You can’t deny the old school charm of sipping a smooth scotch and smoking a cigar. I can’t always promise you Cubans, but these five bars have the definitive angle on where to get a good scotch in this town.
Slow, smooth and rich, sit back and sip some scotch — whether you prefer single malt or double, these refined and elegant spots are the best places in the county to enjoy a glass. So take some time out to enjoy the amber glow, some things just can’t be rushed.
The new elite in Russia is demanding the world’s very best products, Scotch whisky among them. Whisky bars are popping up all over Moscow with many stores and restaurants stocking a varied selection of some of the finest single malt available. A Scottish friend of mine, living in Moscow, admits that Russians love whisky, although are not very good at mixing it, but getting much better. So to give you some ideas where to reach perfection in the art of drinking scotch, here are the top 5 Scotch whiskey bars in the Russian capital.
Whether served neat or on the rocks, no spirit speaks business quite like scotch. Here, we explore the top 5 places in Boston to catch a sip of this classic revival.
Cocktails dominate the bar scene, and for good reasons. They are fun, complex and when done right, intriguing. But the best cocktails start with the best spirits, and many would argue that the best spirit is Scotch whiskey: single malt, smooth and perfect for a night of Don Draper-like escapades. Pass by the bars with the galvanized beer tubs and slide into a leather booth at one of these old school Scotch bars for three fingers of the good stuff.






