The Whisky Exchange
The Whisky Exchange
Once tucked away in Borough, the Whisky Exchange has a bright new shop just off the strand. There are two levels in this shop with the ground floor dedicated to non-whisky spirits, but the important bit for whisky lovers is downstairs in the basement. All laid out by region, there is still an incredible array of whiskies from which to choose. This includes whiskies bottled by, and exclusively for, the Whisky Exchange. thewhiskyexchange.com
My pick: The Whisky Exchange exclusive: Glenfarclas 15 year old, 103 proof, £80.65
thewhiskyexchange.com / 2 Bedford Street, WC2E 9HH
Cadenhead's
Cadenhead's
This company is Scotland’s oldest independent bottler at over 175 years old and in 1995 they opened a London shop that moved to Chiltern Street in 2008. They sell predominantly their own bottlings, and these are spectacular. Having bought casks over many decades, they can still bottle very old whisky to sell. The new shop has a proper tasting room, so you can take a trip through the ages before deciding what to buy. whiskytastingroom.com
My pick: Port Dundas 1988 27 year old (closed distillery) 50.9% £79.80
whiskytastingroom.com / 26 Chiltern Street, W1U 7QF
The Whisky Shop
The Whisky Shop
Colin Prior
There are two Whisky Shops in London and many scattered around the UK. One of the London shops is on Piccadilly and the other is in St Paul’s, and it is this latter of which I am particularly fond. With a huge number of whiskies, this shop was managed for many years by whisky writer Matt Chambers, who created a relaxed environment in which to learn, taste and buy whisky and this atmosphere persists today.
My Pick: Craigellachie 20 year old, Old Malt Cask 50% by Hunter Laing £120
whiskyshop.com / 7 Queens Head Passage, EC4M 7DZ
Berry Bros & Rudd
Berry Bros & Rudd
The oldest wine and spirits merchant in Britain, Berry Bros & Rudd have occupied the same shop at Number Three St James’s Street since 1698. More traditionally known as a wine merchant, they have been maturing and bottling casks under their Berry’s Selection brand. They also stock a good number of other whiskies from around the world. The new shop only opened in June but maintains the sophistication and elegance of the old one. bbr.com
My Pick: Berry’s own selection 1988 Strathclyde single grain 27 year old 53% £110
bbr.com / 3 St James's Street, SW1A 1EG
Milroy's Of Soho
Milroy's of Soho
Right in the heart of Soho, Milroy’s is a bar I have previously highlighted for Square Mile. The bar is also a shop. This gives the perfect opportunity to try any whisky and be able to buy a bottle of it as you leave. Milroy’s was traditionally an independent bottler and has now enlivened this custom again giving customers single cask, cask strength whiskies from a range of distilleries. shop.milroys.co.uk
My pick: Milroy’s Blair Athol 28 year old 53.6% £134.95
milroys.co.uk / 3 Greek Street, W1D 4NX
Harrods
Harrods
Harrods hold all the big brands in the whisky world. Harrods is not particularly known for independent bottlings, however they do stock a few unusual bottles from Hunter Laing. For example, they hold a 25 year old Ardbeg in magnum. This format is normal for wine, but in the world of whisky is a true rarity. The rest of the stock is well-curated with a selection of whisky from all over the globe. harrods.com
My pick: Glenfiddich 21 year old £140
harrods.com / 87-135 Brompton Road, SW1X
Royal Mile Whiskies
Royal Mile Whiskies
Royal Mile Whiskies, as the name suggests, has a shop on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh which opened in 1991. In 2002, they opened a shop in London close to the British Museum. Like the Edinburgh shop, they fill the shelves to the rafters to fit as many different whiskies as possible into the shop. Like many others, they have a few bottlings they have filled themselves and their expertise is second to none.
My pick: Glenmorangie Madeira wood 40% £195
royalmilewhiskies.com / 3 Bloomsbury Street, WC1A 3QE
The Vintage House
The Vintage House
Like Milroy’s, the Vintage House is in Soho and is also the home of the Soho Whisky Club. Many of the whiskies behind the bar at the club can be bought downstairs in the shop. There are many historical bottles in stock here and a large selection of unusual independent bottlings filled long ago and sold out in most other places. This is a shop where you might linger, discovering lost gems.
My pick: Benrinnes Old Malt Cask 1988 21 year old 50% by Douglas Laing £69.95
vintagehouse.london / 42 Old Compton Street W1D 4LR
Fortnum and Mason
Fortnum & Mason
Andrew Meredith
Not normally thought of as a whisky shop, Fortnum and Mason has a smaller whisky selection than most of the specialist shops, however I would say it is a well-curated selection. From old Balvenie to new American bourbon like Hudson, the bottles on the shelves have been chosen in a manner that displays plenty of styles and at every price point. They also have a fabulous gin made by the London distillery company.
My pick: Macallan Annie Liebovitz Masters of Photography 43% £1,750
fortnumandmason.com / 181 Piccadilly, W1A 1ER
Robert Graham
Robert Graham
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Initially a tobacconist, Robert Graham was based in Glasgow and bought by Ron Morrison in 2002. Ron started to stock whisky and the shop rapidly become known for this. Ron joined forces with Mitchell Orchant a cigar specialist and their shop now sells an equal selection of whisky and cigars. Their own labels Dancing Stag and Treasurer Selection frequently win medals. Based in north London, it’s a whisky shop worth the journey out of central London.
My Pick: Bowmore 18 year old 1997, Shellfish Platter, from Wemyss Malts 46% £86.99
robertgraham1874.com / Broadwell Parade, NW6 3BQ
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