Boston's Best Bars For Scotch Whisky
Fun fact -- the U.S. outspends every other nation in the world to import Scotch whisky each year. Total imports topped $650 million in 2012. Somehow, the recent rises in popularity of the craft beer and craft American whiskey industries have only contributed to Scotch's growth in longstanding popularity. A number of Boston restaurants and bars stocking their arsenals with a variety fit for a king… or duke… or lord... or whatever.
Here are a few that are among Boston's best Scotch whisky selections.
Hops N Scotch
1306 Beacon Street
Brookline, MA 02446
(617) 232-8808
www.hopsnscotchbar.com
The name should be a dead giveaway. Hops N' Scotch stocks more than 50 single malts and another ten blended Scotch whiskies. Of course, if you're bringing friends who are skittish about drinking the hard stuff, they have 80+ beers on tap as well.
The Last Hurrah
60 School Street, 1st Floor
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 227-8600
OmniHotels.com
The Parker House has changed a bit since the likes of Dickens, Longfellow, Emerson, JFK and others used grace it. Perhaps its greatest addition is The Last Hurrah, a tribute to Mayor Curley. This is a whiskey bar that knows its identity, with odes to Curley, congressman, senators and others who have long sought the comfort of a cocktail at the Parker House. Great selection; great atmosphere; great history - that pretty much sums it up.
The Citizen Public House and Oyster House
1310 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 450-9000
www.citizenpub.com
While the Scotch selection at The Citizen Public House pales in comparison to its massive American whiskey selection, it's still well worth noting. Each month, Citizen's offers up a handful of single barrel scotch whiskies that are available on a rotating basis. Good luck finding these whiskeys anywhere else.
City Bar in the Lenox Hotel
61 Exeter Street
Inside Lenox Hotel
Boston, MA
617-933-4800
www.citybarboston.com
What do you get when you pack 75 or so Scotches into a hotel lounge bar? City Bar. You're not going to accidentally stumble across this Back Bay hotspot, which is tucked inside the Lenox Hotel. But that doesn't keep the lines from forming on the weekends. So if you're looking to relax, get there early for a nice after-work Scotch.
Rowe's Wharf Bar
70 Rowes Wharf
Boston, MA
(617) 439-7000
bhh.com
When three pages of the menu are dedicated to single malt Scotches, whisky lovers realize immediately that they've hit the jackpot. From the lightest Highland Scotches to the most full-bodied Islay peated Scotches to a 28-year-old single malt with at 56.7% ABV that sells for $350 a glass, the selection is breathtaking and beautiful.
Stanza Dei Sigari
292 Hanover Street
Boston, MA 02113
(617) 227-0295
www.stanzadeisigari.com
Some Scotch drinkers enjoy a good cigar with their glass. For them, there is Stanza Dei Sigari in the North End. This place began as a speakeasy and remained underground long after prohibition ended. With 30+ single malt scotches, it's no wonder this place gets rave reviews from cigar smokers and Scotch drinkers alike.
