Afore ye go: 10 of our favourite Scottish whisky bars to warm your heart this winter

Following are some of the best whisky bars that our nation has to offer…

The Quaich Bar at the Craigellachie Hotel

Victoria Street, Aberlour, Moray

https://craigellachiehotel.co.uk/quaich-bar/

FOUNDED over 120 years ago, the Quaich Bar in Speyside’s Craigellachie Hotel hosts about 1000 single-malt whiskies from around the world. Though it’s probably best not to get carried away and sample a sip of each in one sloshed sitting, which would leave you quaiching in your boots. (To say the least.)

Instead, let the highly knowledgeable staff guide your tastebuds towards the perfect tipple, such as the Apple Dog, which is made using the hotel’s own Copper Dog Whisky and freshly pressed apple juice.

The Mash Tun Whisky Bar

8 Broomfield, Aberlour

www.mashtun-aberlour.com/the-bar-restaurant

HOME to a wide and varied selection of whiskies, both single malts and blends. The emphasis is on the Speyside region, though you will also find produce from other parts of Scotland.

The staff are happy to guide you through the collection of whiskies, and bespoke tutored tasting sessions are also available so you can become more knowledgeable than those disgraceful dabblers who merely grab a glass, glug-glug-glug, then go.

All tastes and budgets are catered for, with prices ranging from under five pounds to over a thousand pounds for a 35ml dram.

The Still at the Dowans Hotel

Dowans Hotel, Dowans Road, Aberlour, Moray

www.dowanshotel.com/the-still/

CHOOSE from a collection of five hundred whiskies, encompassing what management describe as: “The rare, the indulgent and the exceptional.” Which sounds a lot like the range of ability showcased on any given episode of Strictly Come Dancing. Though at The Still the talent is poured out of a bottle, and the judges scores are most often 10, 10, 10 and… what’s that other number?

Oh, yes. 10.

Dornoch Castle Hotel

Castle Street, Dornoch, Sutherland

https://dornochcastlehotel.com

DRINKING whisky is not merely about enjoying that distinctive flavour. It’s also about indulging in a rare and bewitching ambience. Which is why you seldom spot the cosmopolitan whisky tippler reclining, glass and Cuban cigar in hand, in the middle of a ball pond in a children’s play area. Such a venue is not ideal for mature indulgences.

But a castle? Now you’re talking.

Which is why Dornoch Castle Hotel is perfect for quality quaffing. The well-stocked whisky bar is situated in the heart of the castle, giving it a special aura that allows the imaginative visitor to reflect that at any given moment he may be introduced to Mel Gibson, slathered in blue face paint.

The Pot Still

154 Hope Street, Glasgow

https://thepotstill.co.uk

WITH nimble dexterity we prance from the Medieval marauding of M. Gibson Esq. to the more modern world of Rab C. Nesbitt and The Big Yin.

The Pot Still is a bar in the glorious Glesga tradition. Unpretentious and homely, it provides the sort of friendly welcome that will remind you of a hug from yer ain wee mammy.

Though it’s doubtful that yer ain wee mammy will have on her person the variety of whiskies available at the Pot.

You’ll find (deep breath) single malts, blended malts, single grains, blended grains, whisky liqueurs and whiskies from Ireland, Wales, America, Canada, Sweden, Holland, India and Japan.

And, yes, they also have some whisky from that funny wee country hingin’ aff the edge of England.

The Bon Accord

153 North Street, Glasgow

www.bonaccordpub.com

WE live in a world that is enthusiastically attempting to eradicate every kind of prejudice. Such a morally uplifting project should be heartily endorsed. Which is why this article on whisky will now prove that it is, itself, not unfairly biased against other beverages that are not called whisky… by referring to other beverages that are not called whisky.

The Bon Accord doesn’t just punt Scotia’s favourite spirit. Oh, no. It also sells 800 different real ales per year. Their legendary steak pie is also worth a munch.

Okay. We’ve proved we’re not guilty of discrimination. Now back to the Water of Life…

Let’s just say that the Bon Accord has a rather impressive selection, with more than 400 whiskies on the shelves. In the past this fine establishment has won the UK Whisky Bar of the Year.

Now, if only they could get a trophy for that steak pie.

The Ben Nevis Bar

1147 Argyle Street, Glasgow

www.thebennevisbar.com

SCOTLAND’S highest mountain is more than a mere bump in the road. It is a towering, rocky edifice that is not at all easy to scale. (Especially if you’re trying to reach the peak on a Space Hopper, Pogo Stick or unicycle.)

On the other hand, the mountain’s namesake, the Ben Nevis Bar in Finnieston, is incredibly easy to conquer. Just push open the front door and – voila! – you are confronted by a wall of wondrous whiskies. Better still, you don’t have to scale this particular wall. The accommodating barman will bring the booze all the way to your eager fingertips.

But don’t just let your fingertips have all the action. Your ears will also enjoy a visit to the Ben Nevis, where they will delight in the regular live music nights. Scottish and Irish tunes feature predominantly, with other traditions and influences thrown in for good measure.

The Lismore Bar

206 Dumbarton Road, Glasgow

SITUATED in the Partick district of town, a burgh that is rapidly becoming more boho than London’s Soho, the Lismore has a vibrantly eclectic clientele, though the bar maintains strong links to the Highlands and its unique culture.

There are plenty of whiskies to choose from, and while waiting to order, why not study the stained-glass windows, which depict scenes from the Highland Clearances.

Live Scottish and Gaelic music is played every Thursday night, and there’s also a malt of the month to enjoy.

Oran Mor

Top of Byres Road, Glasgow

https://oran-mor.co.uk

WHEN Glasgow’s creative geniuses become exhausted after spending too many hours chipping away at their monumental sculptures, composing their bombastic operas or scribbling their despairing love poetry, they often take a break and saunter off to enjoy a rejuvenating tipple.

Of course, it would be reckless of them to wander into just any old pub, where they might bump into – ugh! – mere mortals.

So instead they repair to Oran Mor, an artistic enclave in the city’s West End, where they can get exuberantly stocious in the company of equally talented demigods.

To give our addled artists added inspiration, there are over 280 malt whiskies lurking behind the Oran Mor bar, where they whisper their words of advice and encouragement.

The Good Spirits Co.

23 Bath Street, Glasgow

www.thegoodspiritsco.com

OKAY, this is a little bit of a cheat because The Good Spirits Co. isn’t exactly what you would call a whisky bar or traditional pub. (Our definition of a pub being that place you go to lean woozily against the bar whilst arguing exuberantly with the total stranger next to you, who also happens to be leaning woozily against the bar.)

Instead, it is a specialist drinks retailer. Though it does run a range of regular whisky tastings if you fancy learning a bit more about those spiffy spirits you’ve been guzzling, or hope to guzzle in the future.

Who says education has to be dry? At The Good Spirits Co. it can be invigoratingly wet.

Artisan Restaurant

249-251 Main Street, Wishaw

artisan-restaurant.com/web/

WE continue to bend the rules of our whisky bar theme by including an eatery. Though in our defence the Artisan Restaurant provides its scoffers with a range of whiskies that are not to be scoffed at.

There are plenty of exotic drams, plus a whisky-based dish on the menu, the Bruichladdich Octomore burger, which is far easier to eat than it is to pronounce. (Just call it ‘that hingmy burger’ if you’re struggling with your diction.)

The Brooch… the Brock… the hingmy burger is cooked with a sauce that is so smokey, it should come with its very own bandit.

The Wee Whisky Bar

12 Ashton Lane, Glasgow

www.ubiquitouschip.co.uk

IF you’re looking for a wee place to enjoy a wee dram, then The Wee Whisky Bar will be right up your street.

This offshoot of Glasgow’s legendary restaurant The Ubiquitous Chip is as cosy as they come.

How cosy? Well, put it like this. If Pinocchio was to pop in for a drink, he would have to watch his language. One sneaky fib and that nose of his would be knocking against the back wall.

Even though it’s a bijou venue, The Wee Whisky Bar is a formidable giant when it comes to its selection of bottles. There’s also a bi-monthly Whisky Club where those bottles are analysed with knowledgeable fervour.

Dram!

232-246 Woodlands Road, Glasgow

www.dramglasgow.co.uk

IT’S easy to spot that Dram! is a thrill-a-minute sort of whisky bar, as it has that volatile exclamation mark attached to the end of its name, making it sound as though the proprietor had just stood on a tack in his bare feet: “Dram, double dram and drat!”

And, indeed, there is plenty to exclaim about in this popular student haunt, situated in Glasgow’s West End.

Dogs are allowed in the bar! (Though, alas, they are not allowed to imbibe the bottled fire water… boo!)

Over seventy malts available!! (Available to thirsty homo sapiens, that is. See above.)

Great selection of craft beers plus BT and Sky Sports on the telly!!!

And, yes, the dogs are allowed to watch the telly. It would be too cruel to deprive them of a dram and the footy.

The Abbey Bar

65 South Clerk Street, Edinburgh

https://abbeybar.co.uk

ONCE again the conflict between Glasgow and Edinburgh erupts into life, with Auld Reekie’s Abbey Bar proving that although it doesn’t have an exclamation mark to its name, it does have televisions. And lots of them.

Seven, in fact, meaning you can watch tennis, golf, rugby and football… all at the same time. Though this can get rather confusing, and you may end up yelling at the tellybox, “C’mon, Andy Murray ! Let’s see you get a hole in one from the scrum!”

The Abbey Bar also has over 400 whiskies on offer and reasonably priced food.

The Albanach

197 High Street, Edinburgh

www.albanachedinburgh.co.uk

LOCATED in Scotland’s tourism epicentre of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, The Albanach provides a hideaway from the hurly and the burly. And like Donald Trump strolling hand-in-hand with his current wife, the Albanach décor is a mixture of the ancient and the up to date. The bar is modernistic and boasts a selection of over 220 single malt Scotch whiskies, while the dining area has a more Medieval atmosphere.

The Black Cat

168 Rose Street, Edinburgh

SUPERSTITIOUS types often claim that black cats are unlucky. Which may be true. Though only the sort of black cat that is furry, meows a lot, and isn’t packed with whisky.

You won’t find much furry purring in The Black Cat in Edinburgh’s New Town. Though when it comes to the blazing brew with the amber hue, there’s over 180 malts to choose from.

The knowledgeable and friendly staff will also navigate your taste buds round the world of cask ales and local beers. Traditional Scottish folk music is played on Wednesday nights and during the day on Sundays.

Teuchter’s Landing

1c Dock Place, Leith, Edinburgh

https://teuchtersbar.co.uk

A TEUCHTER is a rather rude, crude and insensitive word to use about somebody who hails from the Highlands. Though the chaps who launched Teuchter’s Landing – two northern laddies, themselves – only mean the name in sport.

And Teuchter’s Landing is, indeed, a very sporting and convivial destination, with an atmosphere modelled on a highland bar, so no snootiness or snobbery of any sort.

What you will find is a collection of 90 single malts, and the odd tipple of sherry, too, so your wee highland granny can also feel right at home.

Amber Restaurant and Whisky Bar

354 Castlehill, Edinburgh

www.scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk/restaurant/bar

IF you fancy learning everything there is to know about the arcane lore of whisky, the Amber Restaurant, with its accompanying whisky bar, is the place to hang out. Over 500 whiskies are on offer, and the bar itself is kept extra bright so that the curious imbiber can truly study the wonders on offer.

You won’t find mere bar staff in the Amber Restaurant. Instead there are advisers… teachers… gurus of the golden glassful. Each individual you come across is highly trained in the myriad ways of whisky, and you won’t find anybody who isn’t eager to share that special knowledge.

The Amber even runs its own tailored Scotch Whisky Training School, meaning you can become a brainbox of bottled bliss.

C.A.S.C.

7 Stirling Street, Aberdeen

https://www.cascnation.com

IN this article we’ve previously discussed the concept of a smoky whisky. But what about a smokey smoke? You’ll certainly be able to find such a thing in C.A.S.C., which stands for Cigars, Ale, Scotch and Coffee, all of which are on offer in this intriguing and highly original hostelry in Aberdeen’s Merchant Quarter.

And only the best and most unusual stock is used, which means Cuban cigars, craft beer, Scotch whisky and artisan coffee.

Just make sure not to try all four at the same time. A whisky mixed with coffee and beer, with a cigar flake sticking out the top, really isn’t that appetising.

The Tippling House

4 Belmont Street, Aberdeen

www.thetipplinghouse.com

THIS subterranean venue is located close to the Aberdeen Art Gallery and His Majesty’s Theatre. The Italo-style décor, cosy booths and tweed fabrics used on the furnishings ensure the joint is a heavenly hidey-hole. Though you won’t want to hide away for too long, for there’s much to be enjoyed in The Tippling House, including knowledgeable and enthusiastic bartenders, and waiting staff who are both approachable and attentive.

A great deal of thought has gone into the dining menu, which uses local suppliers and produce where possible.

There is also a range of bar snacks and toasty-warm nightcaps to be enjoyed until the wee small hours.

And, yes, there is whisky. Oodles and oodles of the stuff, incorporating classics from Campbeltown, Islay, the USA and the rest of the world. There are also blends, including a concoction called the Monkey Shoulder. (We’re just glad that it turned up on the whisky menu, and not the dining one.)