Soho Whisky Club

Words by Ian Cameron

Address: 42 Old Compton Street, London, W1D 4LR, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 7018 1168
Door: Members & guests only
Style: Tasting room/house
Established: 2012

Review

Nestled in former rented offices above the Vintage House upscale off licence is a members bar with arguably the country's biggest selection of whisky for sale. This small, simply decorated and rather brightly lit space, called the Soho Whisky Club, is a showcase for nearly 400 whiskies.

The focus is on Scotch, with only a shelf dedicated to American, Japanese, Canadian and whiskies further afield. While there are drams that cost several hundreds of pounds, and rare whiskies including from periods when the Scotch whisky industry had otherwise shut up shop (there's a Glenlivet from 1940, for example), much of the range is designed to be accessible, with measures from about half the range available for less than a fiver. The bar is not equipped for cocktails but caters to those who take their whisky seriously, so small nosing glasses and pipettes are about as fancy as things get.

Regular free tastings and talks from those involved in the production and marketing of whisky draw in crowds of members who have paid £200 per year for the privilege.

A small terrace nestling among the Soho chimneypots boasts comfortable chairs, awnings and heaters caters to cigar aficonados, who either buy from the small selection available here or go downstairs to choose one from the rather bigger choice available.

A small range of white spirits and beers is available for guests that really can't be convinced that there's a Scotch for them.