With Thanksgiving over for another year, we are well and truly into winter. When the nights draw longer and the days grow colder, there’s nowhere we’d rather be than a cozy bar with a whisky cocktail in hand – and Bertie’s Whisky Bar at The Fife Arms in Scotland ticks all the boxes.
Inspired by Queen Victoria’s eldest son, King Edward VII, who was known for his hedonistic lifestyle and lively spirit, Bertie’s is a celebration of the indulgent world of whisky. The dark interiors and moody lighting set the scene for long evenings spent sipping drams of the finest whiskies from Scotland and beyond, with 365 bottles – one for every day of the year – on offer, including some ultra-rare examples from now-closed distilleries.
Unlike most whisky lounges, the collection at The Fife Arms’ newest bar is separated by their flavor profile, with a sense of discovery at the heart of its offering. This alternative way of curating bottles was a deliberate move to make the notoriously exclusive whisky community more accessible; instead of being preoccupied with the biggest names in the industry, drinkers can gain an understanding of their unique tastes and preferences.
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The dark interiors and moody lighting set the scene for long evenings spent sipping drams of the finest whiskies / ©Bertie’s Whisky Bar
Although many purists prefer their whisky neat, at Elite Traveler, we think it makes the perfect base for a cocktail – and Bertie’s clearly agrees. In addition to its extensive list of bottles, the bar also offers a short but sweet menu of carefully crafted whisky cocktails.
In case a trip over to Scotland isn’t on this year’s vacation lineup, we’re sharing the recipe for Bertie’s Whisky Bar’s signature Boulevardier cocktail. While this classic drink is similar to the crowd-pleasing negroni, switching out gin for whisky adds another level of flavor, creating a deep, warming drink that is perfect for a cold evening.
While Bertie’s is naturally a Scotch-driven bar (85% of its bottles are from its home country), for the Boulevardier, it uses JP Wiser’s 15 Year Old Canadian Rye Whisky to add the much needed spicy sweetness. Team that with powerful aromas of Antica Formula vermouth and the bitterness of Campari, and you’ve got a winning combination.
[See also: It’s Still Not Too Late to Invest in Scotch Whisky]
Ingredients:
- 1½ oz JP Wiser’s 15 Year Old Whisky
- ¾ oz Campari
- ¾ oz Antica Formula
- Orange Peel
Method:
Add all liquid ingredients to a mixing glass with ice and stir to chill. Pour into a short glass over ice and finish with a twist of orange.
See more Cocktail of the Week recipes here.
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