Whether you drink your whiskey on the rocks, in a cocktail, or neat, some whiskey enthusiasts covet rare bottles of the brown booze. What makes a bottle so coveted? Rare whiskeys are usually small-batch bottles, bottles matured for long periods of time, or bottles that are particularly old. Find an old bottle of a small-batch expression and you’ve hit the jackpot. Because nothing can beat a drink from a sought-after bottle, here are the best places to taste some of the most coveted whiskeys across the U.S.
Seattle, WA
This bar is home to the largest collection of American whiskey in the world. Enough said. With 4,000 labels and counting, there’s something for all whiskey-lovers. Take a seat at their iconic bar and peruse their 94-page spirits menu with nine pages worth of rare whiskeys. We promise you won’t be disappointed.
Somerville, MA
Whiskey lovers flock to this pre-prohibition bar that serves up over 120 bottles, including a vast selection of rare and speciality varieties. Their award-winning beverage program features vintage cocktails and a whiskey flight that rewards adventurous drinkers. Come for the drinks and stay for Saloon’s small plates and speakeasy vibes.
Portland, OR
Imagine a library, but instead of books, shelves are filled with rows and rows of whiskey. Bartenders scale ladders to reach the 1,500+ bottles stacked along a huge brick wall and prepare drinks tableside using retro bar carts. Having a hard time choosing what to drink? Tell the bartenders your price point and they’ll curate an excellent selection for you. Among their rare bottles are The Macallan M, Double Eagle Very Rare, and A.H. Hirsch Reserve 16-year.
Chicago, IL
This Chicago bar takes its inspiration from the city’s historic inn culture and is home to a gastropub, inn, and whiskey bar. Stay the night in one of their six highly coveted rooms, or head straight to the bar to try out their ample selection of whiskeys. Raucous, yet easygoing, this is an excellent spot to enjoy a flight of rare whiskeys, a 3 dollar shot, or drink from their team’s daily selection.
Philadelphia, PA
Village Whiskey is the brainchild of James Beard-winning restaurateur, Jose Garces. Home to more than 200 whiskeys and the best burgers in Philly, this bar doesn’t disappoint. Look out for the Once It's Gone section on their menu, where you’ll find rare bottles that you’ll be hard pressed to find anywhere else.
New York, NY
Rated the best whiskey bar in America in 2021 by Whiskey Magazine, whiskey-lovers shouldn’t miss this New York classic. Expect live music, a glamourous atmosphere, and an unbeatable collection of whiskey. Among their 1,000+ bottles, you can look forward to rare bottles like The Glenlivet 1964 Cellar Collection, The Macallan 30-year, Knappogue Castle 1951, Glenmorangie Pride 1978, and even hard-to-find bottles from closed distilleries.
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