Types of Scotch You Must Try When Traveling

After a long flight, and you’re relaxing in the hotel bar, or you’re in a new city, exploring a new restaurant, traveling brings about the perfect opportunity to sip some stellar Scotch.  Some types of Scotch you may only be able to find in certain regions and some areas have bars that are known for their rare bottles. It is always fun to see what new and exciting glasses of Scotch you can find when visiting a brand-new place or an old stomping ground.

 Many of the bottles on this list are among the world’s most rare and most expensive and others are easier to find, but still, come with a pretty hefty price tag.  Fine Scotch is aged for many years, which adds to its value. Purists believe Scotch is not to be mixed, although there are some modern bartenders out there who make a pretty mean Scotch cocktail.  Most Scotch connoisseurs either drink it neat or with a drop of water, which is meant to open the flavors of the Scotch. Hopefully, this list will lead you to discover a glass of Scotch more amazing than you ever thought possible, without having to take a trip to Scotland.

• Macallan 52 Year Single Malt Scotch Whisky 
• Macallan 21-Year-Old Fine Oak Scotch Whisky
• Balvenie 50-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch 
• Glenlivet XXV Single Malt Scotch Whisky
• Glenfiddich ‘Rare Collection’ 50-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
• Balvenie Single Barrel 25-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
• Highland Park 50-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
• Talisker 25-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
• Glenlivet ‘The Winchester Collection’ 50-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
• Bowmore 38-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky 
• Glenfarclas Millennium Edition ‘Scottish Classic’ 40-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch 

If you’re traveling within California, many cities have bars with epic Scotch selections.  Here are a few:

Los Angeles

The L10 (10 Pound Bar) is in the Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills.  The Montage is one of the chicest hotels in the area. If you aren’t lucky enough to be staying there, L10 is a great way to experience the ambiance that Montage has to offer while enjoying a rare glass of excellent Scotch.

San Diego

Bar Three Piece is in the neighborhood of North Park.  North Park has developed over the last several years to not only be a hot bed for breweries, but trendy restaurants and specialty bars as well.  Just a short Uber ride from the airport and downtown, Bar Three Piece is worth the trip for any Scotch lover.

San Francisco

Hard Water is located on Pier 3 in the Embarcadero in San Francisco.  Enjoy a glass of Scotch while sampling some of their delicious Creole cuisine. Hard Water is known for their liquor covered wall, among which sits some of the most sought-after bottles of Scotch around.

Sacramento

High Water is in Midtown Sacramento and is a trendy spot known for live music, an epic brunch menu and craft cocktails.  If you happen to have a date who is still trying to acquire the taste for Scotch, order her the Wolf Ticket. This cocktail is comprised of Wolfburn Single Malt Scotch, lemon, aperol and Montenegro amaro.  

San Jose

Haberdasher is reminiscent of a Prohibition Era Speakeasy.  The décor is dark and sexy with a Scotch list to match. If you’re in San Jose for either business or pleasure, it is worth it to stop in for a drink at Haberdasher.

If you happen to find yourself in the same city time and again, make sure to ask the bartender for any new bottles that have been added to the Scotch list or for their own recommendation.  Bartenders can be a wealth of information and striking up a conversation with yours may lead you to find your new favorite bottle of Scotch.