- edinburgh
On my last visit to Edinburgh last year, I signed up for a morning masterclass at the Scotch Whisky Experience. Located on the Royal Mile, the road leading to Edinburgh’s castle, it is one of the most recommended visits to do while visiting the city and rightly so. A tour of the world’s largest scotch collection The visit starts with a private tour of the world’s largest collection of scotch whisky. Claive Vidiz, the former CEO of a Brazilian pharmaceutical company, collected an impressive number of more than 3400 scotch bottles during his life. Some come from distilleries that no
In the small Scottish village of Menstrie, Christine McCafferty, Diageo’s Archive Manager, watches over the historical content of more than 200 brands, both past and present, coming from more than 180 markets. She is assisted in this mission by five other archivists (including a digital archivist), their team assistant and a local conservator. She kindly received me on my last visit to Edinburgh for an enthralling chat about her role and a tour of the impressive archives. Becoming Diageo’s Archive Manager Passionate about history, Christine got hooked with archives work after working for a local archives as part of
High on my list of bars to visit in Edinburgh was the speakeasy Bryant & Mack. I had heard of it through Tales of the Cocktail (TOTC), the bartending industry’s biggest seminar. Last April, nine months after opening, Bryant & Mack was already one of the official venues of Tales on Tour, TOTC’s annual abroad edition. Quite a recognition for a brand new bar! Ross Bryant, one of the two bar owners, even hosted a Dynamic Duo with the brand ambassador for Sazerac Rye. The event drew so many guests that “people were queuing around the block to get in”,
Two years ago when I spent a month in London attending the local branch of EBS (European Bartending School), I discovered Hot Rum Cow, a UK drinks magazine focusing on the stories and people of the beverage industry. In the middle of glossy publications dedicated to alcoholic beverages, Hot Rum Cow stood out with its colorfully illustrated cover and thick matte paper. There were two different issues available in Victoria Station’ WHSmith shop: one about Scotland, the other about Future Booze. I bought both and was caught up with the publications’ witty tone and by the quirky, yet informative facts
Tiki drinks are not my first drinks choice. I have this prejudiced idea that they’ll be too sweet to my taste. However, when a French girl I met in Edinburgh and who was as passionate as me about mixology, talked positively about The Auld Reekie Tiki Bar, I decided to visit it. The Auld Reekie Tiki Bar The bar is located underground in Edinburgh’s New Town. A vaulted passageway with benches leads to its entrance. As its name indicates, The Auld Reekie Tiki Bar is a Polynesian-themed bar. Bamboo bar, Tiki mugs and statues, mini palm trees, everything – except
Hidden below ground in the heart of Edinburgh’ New Town, Hoot the Redeemer takes an original approach to the speakeasy concept. Hoot the Redeemer bar Instead of going the Prohibition route, Hoot the Redeemer sends you back to the 1950’s, with a setting reminiscing of a funfair of the time, complete with fortune telling machines, vintage magician posters, Tarot cards paintings and, of course, fair games and popcorn. I took a seat on the comfortable old leather couch facing the entrance from which I had a good view of the entire bar. The cocktail menu The menu is printed in