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Star letter - Whisky missing I'm writing in reply to your feature titled “Called to the bar” on places to drink whisky in London, in issue 76.

I have some pretty strong feelings about this topic - having moved back to the UK following a two year stint living in Tokyo I have found London by comparison to be shockingly devoid of any good places to drink whisky. I was literally spoilt for choice when living in Tokyo – it seems all of the major districts of central Tokyo (particularly Ikebukuro, Shinjuku and Shibuya) each had several really good bars entirely dedicated to whisky, with a fantastic selection, a nice informal atmosphere, extremely knowledgeable and friendly staff and often quite reasonable prices.

London by contrast has been a real disappointment in this area. From the handful of places in London that do have a selection of malts behind the bar, I've generally found they fit into one of three categories – they're either hotel bars, bars attached to restaurants or cocktail bars.

The only one exception is perhaps the SMWS member's rooms on Grenville Street - but, as the name suggests, you have to be a member to go there.

I find it impossible to believe in a city like London that there isn't actually a single proper whisky bar.

A bar which is not an after-thought of a hotel or restaurant, and not solely aimed at executives on expense accounts.

A bar which is entirely dedicated to whisky, is fairly priced, has staff who really know their malts, and doesn'...

• By : Rob Allanson
• In : Letters
• Issue : 77
• Page : 74
• Words : 595