The worst part about this place for me is not having the chances to come here enough. Incredible selection of whiskeys. Try a flight of different Four Roses Barrel Strength recipes. Cocktail game is very strong, too. And, Marty is the absolute best.
Best whiskey bar in town! Not pretentious at all, just people who love whiskey and love sharing the experience with others. Marty, John, and Amy are expert curators of whiskey, you are in good hands with them!
Price per person
$20–30
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Excellent whiskey selection and much more low key than the bar up front. Only for whiskey lovers though, that's all you'll find on the menu back here. Keep an eye out for tasting events that are held here. They're a great way to get some whiskey education from experts in the industry while enjoying their wares. They also have bottle lockers if you're real fancy!
In the name of the Father, the Son and these Holy Spirits. This cathedral of Whiskey worship takes these golden grains of sunshine and places them squarely on a private alter behind what most would consider already one of San Diego’s premier whiskey bars.
I’d like to start by praising the staff for their attention, knowledge and passion for whiskey. They are amazing bartenders in their own right, but behind that secret and locked door things are a lot more free flowing. They know you are back there for whiskey, not cocktails, not the usual unloading many do on bartenders about their day. They are glad to teach you, but to me I think you have to really want to know, not just to ask for entertainments sake. The décor is much more relaxed, much more open (those darn pool tables and lack of seating sort of handicap Seven Grand) and it’s actually a bit more lit. Animal heads, tall booths, water carafe’s and it’s own private smoking area are all perks. Sadly no private restrooms, gotta head back to 7G for that.
With their own selection of private single barrels chosen directly from some distilleries you get a look into nuances otherwise left to the blenders. Most everything back here is 6 years or older. Since this s a whiskey place it’s not overly heavy on scotch’s(cheers to scotch old enough to order a scotch and to those that got that HIMYM reference) or bourbons or Japanese, they play to all types. They’ve got stuff you simply can’t buy privately and that term private stock is literal here. I’ve had in depth discussions about how Jefferson’s Presidential Select 17 or 18 year imo crushes PvW 20 year or how spectacular 2014 Birthday Bourbon was.
I love coming here for their Whiskey Society events because what better way to learn or discuss, taste than in the perfect environment for it. I’ve seen it packed, but usually they’ll really limit things to not hinder experiences. On non society nights you’ll be treated to a steamed towel and doorman, server, and live music from time to time. Some nights even have multiple events, but it’s always recommended to come here early for the better seating. They do not limit how long you stay here so that means there can be a wait on busy nights. If whiskey is your thing then a wait is not that big a deal, but if you want drinks that require a 4 bottle grab. then this isn’t for you. They’d be happy to make it in the front, but the experience is curated here with only 4 or so cocktails available. It’s a great place to have a quiet evening with your lady or just to come and not talk to anyone, just enjoy your drink.
I jokingly like to tell people because my name sounds old, white and my last name sounds Scottish that the reason I’m so brown is all the whiskey I drink. Funny side note is their Whiskey society used to be annual and when I was working in Orange county I would actually visit their LA location more than this one.
To whiskey older than me and women half my age +7, or do I have that backwards. It works out for me either way.
Used to be 5/5 but the hipster scene has decided to mingle with the whisky scene and I literally can't go to this place and have it not be stuffed to capacity with people. The live bands are also so excessively loud that it totally kills my good time. Used to be able to go to the back bar and enjoy my whisky peacefully to some relaxing jazz music. Now I have to go early evening on a monday/tuesday or just deal with a total fustercluck
