Best Whisky bar in London?

After post pay day fruit and veg shopping on Borough Market I needed a drink. For some reason I have never typed the words "best whisky bar in London" to google app. So this Saturday afternoon I did just that. What came at the top of the list was place called Albannach by Trafalgar Square. Close enough, I thought and took the train from London bridge to opposite direction than rest of my family.

For those who have never been there its really easy to find: stand next to Nelsons Column and keep looking left from National gallery and you see it.

It's a swanky looking place. The first thing everyone sees are their strikingly stylish lampshades made of (or to look like) deer horns. It doesn't sound like much but there is lot of them and they are painted white. I was impressed.

The very next thing where eye wonders is whats behind the bar. Certainly impressive looking selection. Around 150 bottles of malt. I enquire Whisky menu, and in deed they have one. First I needed to calibrate my palette after all the samples of olives, chutney and cheese at the market, so it had to be something familiar. Gragganmore 12yo, my old time favourite, did just the trick. It never fails to impress me of how great idea it was from the Scots to start make Whisky.

All tough it was starting to be very busy, the bartender called Vito, seemed to have plenty of time and enthusiasm to chat about whisky. For the second half a measure I went was Dalmore King Alexander III. This one is matured in Sherry, wine, Madeira, Kentucky bourbon , Marsala, and Port casks and is mix of several ages. Basics of this whisky are chocolate, tobacco, liquorish with hints of citrus and almonds. It is extremely pleasurable to to drink, complex yet smooth and creamy. I wouldn't go so far as saying its a triumph but certainly worth blowing the trumpet .

My third and last half measure of the afternoon was Glenrothes 1985. I've always been fan of the Glenrothes brand but this one is the best I've tasted. The leather sofa mixed with fresh forest fruits is match made in heaven, topped with hints of raisins and vanilla. Its definitely one of the best whiskies have had this year. It easily tops my list of next bottle to buy. This is one of them that all whisky drinking public must love. Its as far from Marmate as you can go in terms of Love hate. I detect only love with out conditions.

The time I spent in Albannach was well worth the money. I was sitting by the bar, but for those who like watching people pass by the view is to Trafalgar square. They do food as well, menu looked grand and the cocktails Vito whisked up looked amazing, didn't try then but, I definitely will go back there for few more measures. Maybe even to have something to eat.

Let me know what are thoughts of Albannach or what do you think is the best whisky bar in London?