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.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BYc9j_hna76/?taken-by=ivyedinburgh
"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.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZEVJWaHLew/?taken-by=ivyedinburgh
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
