In case you haven’t noticed, whisky is the new kale. Well, actually, brussel sprouts are the new kale, but you get the idea – whisky is way popular in Toronto now. So much so that places are sprouting up where that’s all they do. To help you navigate through the crowd, I’ve selected the Top 5 Whisky Bars in the city. Cheers!
If you’re going to go anywhere in the city on your trek for the best whiskey, you’ve gotta start at the Emmet Ray. Not only do they carry 230 of them, they are kind enough to list all of their them on their website. http://www.theemmetray.com/menu/whisky/ Select from bourbon whiskeys, American, Canadian, Irish and World whiskies, Single Malt Scotch from the Higlands, Lowlands, Campbeltown and Islands, Scotch Blends and Top Shelf brands. They even have whisky pairings for every dish, which happens to fall under the best category ever – “locally driven comfort food.”
Step inside the historic Beardmore building on Front and go back in time. Complete with classic Prohinition-style cocktails (“Hotsy Totsy,” “Mickey Finn,” and “The Lender,” to name just a few), whisky flights, and Chef Brent Richardson’s comfort food, you’ll feel like you’re back in the 1920s. What is perhaps most notable is North America’s first whisky tasting tunnel, housing over 100 whiskies from around the world, with tutored tastings also available. Learning has never been more fun.
Located in a quiet corner of the lobby of the new Delta Hotel, Char No. 5 Whisky Bar isn’t an in-your-face kind of place. Instead, it’s where your server can find you the kind of whisky you’re looking for. Do you like it peaty or grassy, rich or smoky? Do you prefer it straight up or on the rocks?
This spot on College is a Scottish Public House and Whisky Bar and has been awarded the status of the “first ever on-trade Ardbeg Embassy in Canada.” What at first may sound like something out of a J.K. Rowling book is actually a Single Islay Malt Scotch Whisky, perhaps of the most peaty of malt whiskies in the world.
This Southern comfort food hot spot in Port Credit features an extensive cocktail menu with 4oz whisky flights including the We the North flight, Bourbon Flight and the International Flight. The resto also has whisky tasting events in the whisky tunnel on site.
With more than 100 Scotch whiskies to choose from and a killer burger on the menu, you can't go wrong with Allen's.
This authentic pub pours drams of whisky from its extensive list featuring more than 400 options from more than 100 distilleries. To help you choose a selection, there are whisky "tours" that allow you to explore some of the main whisky regions.