When in Scotland… do as the Scots do and relax with a wee dram of whisky. And the place to sample them in Edinburgh is SCOTCH, the brand new whisky bar at The Balmoral. Recently unveiled, the signature bar has the largest selection of Scottish whiskies in town (400!), and three Whisky Ambassadors on staff to point you in the right direction when choosing your vintage. These folk don’t take their job lightly; they’re dressed to the nines in Scottish garb designed by Kinloch Anderson, kilt maker to The Queen.
The bar itself was decorated by Olga Polizzi, the head of design for Rocco Forte Hotels, with tweed sofas and a gorgeous oak-paneled whisky cabinet. To complement your whisky tasting, a variety of snacks is available- including smoked almonds, dark Swiss chocolate, and wild boar salami. It’s also possible to order a full meal; The Balmoral’s Executive Chef Jeff Bland uses the finest local produce in reimagining classic Scottish dishes (like haggis). SCOTCH is open Monday to Sunday from 10am to 1am. For more information, visit www.thebalmoralhotel.com.