Whisky + Alement

270 Russell Street

Melbourne 3000 Australia

Tel: 03 9654 1284

www.whiskyandale.com.au

The Whisky + Alement is one of the top whisky bars in Melbourne. Host to an ever changing menu of over 1,000 whiskies, they feature everything from the classics to independent bottlings. They have also partnered with the Scotch Malt Whisky Society to bring to the masses the rare individual cask bottlings the Society is known for.  Add cocktails, local and international craft beers and a selection of wines, and you would be hard pressed not to find something new with each visit.

The bar also hosts a range of classes from introductory tastings for the novice, all the way through master classes intended to further your whisky knowledge.

Bar at Bohanan's

219 East Houston Street

San Antonio, Texas 78205

Tel: (210) 472-2202

 www.Bohanans.com 

In a city known for Margaritas and River Walk revelry, we were delighted to discover a decidedly different watering hole off the beaten path.  Tucked away in the Theater district, only doors from the Historic Gunter Hotel is the Bar at Bohanan's.  The restaurant has long been known as one of the best steakhouses in Texas.  From my perspective, they may now add top shelf whisky bar to their already lengthy accolades. 

No cowboy kitsch here as you step through the doors into what would appear to be an exclusive club.  Elegantly appointed yet comfortable, the ambiance is that of old world charm.  The centerpiece 46 foot long cherry wood bar displays an impeccable collection of whiskies.  The staff is gracious and knowledgeable.

Bar manager Don Marsh has amassed a liquid treasue of over sixty single malts.  The scotches that line his shelves range from the expected, to top rated and hard to find.  There are whiskies from all regions and different palates.  An added bonus is the cigar menu and beautiful adjacent outdoor courtyard for your smoking pleasure when the weather is comfortable (which in San Antonio is nearly year round).  While the restaurant has been established for years, the bar recently opened in November 2009.  It definitely lives up to Owner Mark Bohanan's reputation for excellence and is one of our top picks and a choice destination to enjoy a great dram in a haven away from the touristy crowds.

The Feathers

962 Kingston Road

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Tel: 416-694-0443

www.thefeatherspub.ca

The Feathers has been Toronto's authentic British Pub since opening it's doors back in 1981. There are over 400 bottles from more than 100 Scottish distilleries to choose from. But if you are a noobie or just indecisive, try one of their Flight Tasting Menus which are designed to be an introduction to Scottish single malts. They also have regional tasting flights and a silent stills menu, featuring some rare single malts from Scotland's closed distilleries.

Bar High Five

Efflore Ginza5 Bldg. BF, 5-4-15

Ginza Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan 104-0061

Tel: +81-(0)3-3571-5815

www.barhighfive.com

Bar High Five has become one of the most respected and popular Ginza-style bars in Tokyo. It also consistently appears on those "best bar ..." lists. The reason is obvious once you have visited here: Hidetsugu Ueno. Instead of handing visitors a menu, Ueno asks them a series of questions. After determining your taste, they make you exactly the drink you were looking for. 

Whisky Cafe L&B

Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 82-84

De Weteringschans, Binnenstad 1017 RD

Amsterdam

www.lbwhiskyproeverijen.nl

Now boasting some 2,100 whiskeys, this is like a European whisky mecca. Established in 1971, L&B has grown into the leading whiskey bar in the Netherlands. The collection consists of Scottish malt whiskeys, but also Irish, American, Canadian and Japanese bottlings, as well as about 100 bottles from all European corners.

L&B also hosts an annual Whiskey Weekend, which has grown into one of the larger whiskey festivals in the Netherlands.