Whiski says:

Whiski Bar & Restaurant is a multi award winning whisky bar and restaurant.Specialising in fresh local Scottish food and as expected a huge range of over 300 malt whiskies. Premium wine, spirits, Scottish beers and cocktails on offer. Live Scottish music every night. Currently Whisky Bar of the Year in Scotland 2011. Families and Groups catered for. This is a “must visit” venue in Edinburgh.

Social and Cocktail says:

Located at the less touristy end of Royal Mile (that much so its called High Street here), this traditional looking bar thankfully isn’t full of tourists but contains a lot of local accents. The main draw to this bar is its Whisky and what a selection – 300 whiskies from around the world including Japan, India and even England!  A clutch of awards (DRAM Whisky Bar of the Year 2011, SLTN Whisky Bar of the Year 2008 and Highly Commended in 2009, Icons of Great Whisky Bars of the world 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 – Gold Accolade ) show how much this bar knows about the stuff.  However, you wouldn’t think that they would have cocktails, but they do and you’ll find a really wide range of cocktails to choose from. You’ll also find some very friendly bar staff who are willing to point you in the right direction if you can give them an idea of what you feel like. There’s also a large food menu, to keep you on the straight and narrow, with the Haggis Tower a popular choice.

Of course with a Whisky bar, you get whisky cocktails. Some may see it as sacrilege, making cocktails out of whisky, but I’d recommend giving them a go as they taste so different from just straight whisky.

Firstly, we tried the Long Islay Iced Tea – £7.50 – twist on a classic – Valt Scottish Vodka, Botanist Scottish Gin, Renegade Scottish Rum, Baillie Nicol Jarvie Whisky, Glayva Whisky, sours and cola.  Strong smokey taste throughout this very easy to drink cocktail.

Next, we moved on to the fantastically titled, The Kilt – £6.95 – Glenkinchie 10yr old malt and Amaretto over ice – a strong tasting and strong alcohol cocktail. Lovely and smokey. Good choice I think if you like the aromas of whisky but don’t want the strong taste.

Being not too far off the Royal Mile, we thought it would be rude not to pick this one –

Royal Mile – £7.50 – Famous Grouse, orange juice, cherry brandy, amaretto and lemon juice served in a tall glass.   Very easy to drink with strong cherry and amaretto tastes.  Not one to drink too many off, especially if you are planning on not flashing your kilt later!!

Overall a cosy bar, excellent cocktails with table seating so easy to sit at but not too comfy – but handy if ordering one of their Haggis Towers. Friendly and informative staff. Extra bonus for not being too touristy.