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The Ivy Collection’s first Scottish restaurant, The Ivy on the Square, on Edinburgh’s St Andrew Square, is the group’s first to introduce a specially-curated drinks trolley dedicated exclusively to Scottish whisky.
The whisky trolley is fully stocked with a selection of Scotland’s finest whiskies, so diners can enjoy an after dinner dram or two whenever they choose.
Diners may be familiar with a drinks trolley that houses a selection of post-dinner digestifs; at The Ivy on the Square, only whisky is served from the vintage trolley.
• READ MORE: The Ivy on the Square, Edinburgh, Restaurant Review
To ensure the trolley’s offering is of the highest possible standard, the restaurant has worked with Edinburgh-based whisky expert and author Blair Bowman, to curate a truly unique selection of Scotland’s national drink.
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"After-dinner drinks trolleys are fairly common, but having a dedicated whisky trolley is something quite unusual" Bowman says.
"And the fact that we have included some more unusual choices, and a few hidden gems, makes the selection even more interesting."
The trolley offers 11 whiskies, three in each of the three main flavour categories - light, rich and smoke - plus a deluxe selection rarer bottles.
With three whiskies in each category, there is also a corresponding low, middle and higher price point. "
Everything that has been chosen to go into the trolley has been chosen for a reason," Bowman says.
"There is a logic behind the inclusion of each and every whisky."
The Ivy Collection Group Bar Manager, David Thompson agrees: "We were keen to include something for everyone on the trolley, from the diner looking to celebrate a special occasion and have a once-in-a-blue-moon dram through to those who just want to enjoy a well-chosen nightcap.
"We have also designed whisky tasting flights so diners can compare and contrast a measure from each flavour profile.
"And for those who prefer their whisky mixed we do, of course, offer a range of delicious whisky based cocktails."
The Ivy on the Square’s bar team is well-versed in the whisky trolley’s selection and able to suggest which bottle to sample and what to expect from the taste, helping diners confidently explore the wonderful world of whisky.
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Here's a taste of what's on board the trolley:
Compass Box Great King Street - Artists Blend
Soft, full and fruity on the palate, with flavours of baked apple, vanilla, spices and toasted oak, £9
Glenkinchie, 2004, distillers edition, Amontillado finish
From our local distillery. Floral with apricot & vanilla spice, £13.5
Clynelish, 14 year old, Flora and Fauna
A rare & discontinued edition. Dried fruits, heather honey & beeswax with a delicate woodiness, £52
Glen Grant 2008, 8yo, Gordon & MacPhail, 56.7%
A cask-strength release of eight-year-old Glen Grant, aged in a first-fill sherry hogshead. Big and rich with notes of chocolate, orange and spice, £12
Glenfarclas, 21 year old
Rich & sweet dried fruits, malty, smooth & very moreish, £15
Mortlach, 16 year old, Flora and Fauna
A rare and discontinued edition. Full bodied, sherry, dried fruits, oranges zest, deep, rich & complex, £28
Ailsa Bay
Sweet & smoky, £13.5
Port Charlotte, Islay Barley, 2008
Crisp peated barley, fresh & smoky, £14.5
Bruichladdich, Black Art 5.1, 24 year old
Tropical fruit overload with hints of cigar smoke, magically complex, £32
Ghosted Reserve Blended, 21 year old
Citrus, raisin & peppery malt, £30
Port Ellen, Special Release, 29 year old
Distillery closed in 1983. Wood, leather, smoke, spicy & meaty, £90
25ml measures, one from each flavour profile
Flight 1 - Compass Box, Glen Grant, Ailsa Bay, £18
Flight 2 - Glenkinchie, Glenfarclas, Port Charlotte Islay Barley, £24
Flight 3 - Clynelish, Mortlach, Bruichladdich, £60
Rob Roy martini - Compass Box, Antica Formula, Angostura bitters, £9.50
Scotch Julep silver cup - Compass Box, mint, sugar syrup, £9.50
Auld Fashioned rocks - Ailsa Bay, Angostura bitters, brown sugar, £15
