Whisky, from a shop that actually drinks it

The easiest way to walk the whisky wall is to think in four families. Blended Scotch is where most of us started — Johnnie Walker, Chivas, Ballantine's, Grant's — approachable, mixable, dependable. Single malt is the deeper end: one distillery, one style, from the honeyed Speysides to the coastal Highlands.

The Islands and Islay are the peated corner — Talisker, Caol Ila, Lagavulin — smoke, seaweed, iodine, love-or-hate territory. Irish whiskey sits apart: usually triple-distilled, softer, more approachable, and beautifully suited to warm evenings on the Argostoli seafront.

For a first single malt, Glenfiddich 12 or Cardhu 12 rarely disappoint. If you're moving up, Dalmore 12, Aberlour 12 and Macallan 12 Double Cask each offer a different sherried angle. For peat, start with Talisker 10 before jumping to Lagavulin 16 — a big step in intensity.

On the Irish side, Jameson Black Barrel and Redbreast 12 are the two bottles we most often gift-wrap for people flying home. For blends, Johnnie Walker Black is still, honestly, one of the best pours for the price on the whole wall.

A splash of water opens most whiskies up — try it. Ice is fine on hot days; it will mute some aromas but that's a fair trade at 35°C on the promenade. Peated whiskies pair surprisingly well with strong cheeses and dark chocolate. If you have a specific bottle in mind for a birthday, wedding or gift, message us before you visit and we'll put it aside.