PUBLISHED January 9th, 2013 02:03 am | UPDATED May 18th, 2020 04:34 pm
How it has taken me so long to write a dedicated review of La Maison boggles my mind. It’s just one of those things….you go to a place so often that it eventually becomes weird to write about them! But not this day.
If you consider yourself a whisky (or any other spirit – for that matter) aficionado and you haven’t been down to Fine Spirits then you might want ask yourself why. This venue should be firmly glued to the top of your go-to places for a great drink.
Needless to say, because La Maison actually import most of the bottles you’re drinking everywhere else, their selection is outstanding with over 400 choices of light and dark spirits by the glass (and 700 if you’re interested in a bottle). Of course this extends to their cocktail making….
Fine Spirits is certainly not the most ‘obvious’ place for cocktails. No ‘celebrity’ mixologists or gimmicks, just excellent classic cocktails by well trained local staff, and they may even through in a few surprises if you want something a little more creative than your average Gin and Tonic or Old Fashioned. The best part is that because they have such a massive selection of spirits, you have a hugely diverse choice of spirit brands with which to have your cocktails made.
Spirits recommendations (by glass and by bottle)
- Nikka Yoichi 12 Year Single Malt
A new class in my opinion. Nikka has been making some of Japan’s best whisky as far as I’m concerned, and the Yoichi is a stellar example of this. If you’re into your Islays on Cao Ila’s go for this. It’s smokey as hell, in a fabulous way.
- Jailer’s Tenesse Whiskey
I first tried this last year…and immediately bought a bottle. It’s a real testament to show how good American whiskies can be, even at the entry level. It’s smooth, slightly sweet, even and makes for an excellent drink.
- Diplomatico 12 Year Rum
Rum is without a doubt my favourite spirit. If your only association with rum is Bacardi and coke then you need a good slap – sorry! Rums are so much more than that. I’ve brought many, many friends over to the dark side to try some excellent rum, and Diplomatico is definitely a good place to start. Notes of vanilla, toffee and even some fruit, it’s a great rum to start your journey with.
- Christian Drouin VSOP Calvados
Once upon a time, Calvados was one of the most traded spirits in Europe…These days sadly it’s really very niche and not drunk too much in this part of the world. Which is an excellent reason for you to try it. There’s a wide range of Calvados to try here but the VSOP for me is the best, offering excellent flavour and at a very reasonable price. Drink this straight up after a full meal. It’s wonderful.
- Glendronach 1972
I only just included this after finding out from La Maison’s GM that it just took a gold at the ‘Malt Maniacs’ awards (basically THE independent guide for real whisky lover). It ain’t cheap, but it is astonishing. This is probably the best whisky I have ever tried. It’s fruity, it’s smokey….it’s complex. If you feel like splashing out, don’t waste your money on an old MaCallan or Glenlivet (which will cost you much more anyway!), give this a try…consider it an investment of the soul.
One major plus about Fine Spirits is that they allow you to keep a bottle on premise for up to one year after purchase…you can even use it (as I do) to occasionally make cocktails. Right now I keep a George Dickel Tenessee Whisky and a Santa Teresa 1796 Venezuelan Rum. The George Dickel makes for a fantastic Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Sazarak or Whisky Sour. The rum….if you really want to mix it, let’s make it a Dark and Stormy, but honestly it’s fabulous by itself or with a little ice.
Final mention is that La Maison du Whisky acts as a retail shop as well, so feel free to ‘dapao’ some of their unique bottles, and don’t be shy to ask for recommendations. Their staff really know what they’re doing and it shows.
Written by The City Nomad over many, many visits.