27/01/2023
Chapter 5
My local Whisky bar
How important a good local whisky bar is in your whisky journey. After your mates it’s probably the best companion.
Huston we have a problem!
Brummie Jewel
That amazing thing called Google. Yes it didn’t take us too long to Google ‘best whisky bar around me’…we found some of the disappointing places we had already been to (google read this and learn what a good whisky bar actually is!)…and then a few miles away from Coventry, in Birmingham’s jewellery quarter a little gem . A companion we never left since: the Grain and Glass.
We booked, drove our good 45 minutes thanks to usual lovely M6 roadworks and stepped our foot through the entrance for the first time.
Image courtesy of: tripadvisor
An accessible, friendly community
First impressions are always right. I had the sensation of visiting an old friend. Amy, Renata and Steve were behind the bar. We had a smile and felt welcome.
The selection was massive . It was like having found El Dorado. What we really liked compared to other whisky bars is that the online menu was up to date. It may seems like a trivial one, but it’s not. Especially if it takes you 20 minutes to decide what to get, hearing “sorry it’s over” opens up to a lot of uncertainty…ok maybe it’s not that dramatic…but they do a good job at keeping it up to date. Kudos!
Image courtesy of: indipendent-birmigham
Second great point about this bar is that prices are also accessible . And that is important. Especially if you’re on a long journey. I’ve been in bars around the globe after this one (London, Scotland, Italy, Germany, Spain, Netherlands, US)…these guys give you a great dynamic selection at very reasonable prices. Big kudos there. Especially as they do it also on rare stuff. Like recently with the Springank 10 PX or Longrow Red 11 Tawyn Port…that is showing the mission of making whisky accessible.
Third, we were feeling comfortable. No pressure of not being a geek , not knowing what to ask, not pronouncing names correctly. Just a welcoming friendly environment where to make some discoveries.
Unique Encounters
That night we had drams we never encountered afterwards again, and that’s the nice thing about it. You build your tasting experience and make those encounters that get embedded in your memory. Luckily I take pictures too…that helps with memory.
We tried a 1997 Arran Sherry Butt exclusively bottled at 55.3% for the Green Welly Stop (see mention), Glendronach 18 Allardice 46%, Glen Scotia Victoriana (omg!!!) and a 2010 Glen Scotia single cask bottled for Callander at 52.9% (mind blowing dram!).
Victoriana is a top NAS, in my top 10 since, i had to buy a bottle of course…but that Glen Scotia single cask…never found it again…but it stays in the memory…
All thanks to Grain and Glass, my local whisky bar and its great staff. Definitely an accessible, welcoming friendly community to carry on on my journey…
And you? Any whisky bar to recommend?
Drams
and more...
Today's drams
- 1997 Arran Sherry Butt – 55.3%
- Glendronach 18 Allardice – 46%
- Glen Scotia Victoriana – 54.2%
- 2010 Glen Scotia Single Cask – 52.9%
Grain and Glass
Not a lot more for us to add. If you’re around, give them a shot. Highly recommended!
Green Welly Stop
As you drive back from Glencoe, going back South towards Glasgow, you can enjoy some amazing views. One of the best ones in Scotland. You better get a snack before you leave Glencoe, as there’s no where to stop. Until you get to Tyndrum: this amazing stop with a great whisky shop. The Real Food is also there with its highly recommended local food.
Glen Scotia Distillery
These guys are highly underrated. Period. Maybe due to the proximity to Springbank and co. Maybe because some of their entry level products are not so mainstream. But trust us, they’re coming with some better products as the years go by. Give them a chance.