PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN A. ROBERTS
There's no shortage of great options for exploring whiskey across St. Louis. Case in point: Zach and Mary Rice of the erstwhile Three Monkeys opened Black Sheep Whiskey + Wine in the same building in Tower Grove South. The carefully curated whiskey menu includes more than 50 offerings, with something for everyone. Pours come in three sizes, making it the perfect place to try something new. (Consider Suntory Toki if you’ve never had a Japanese whiskey.) 3153 Morgan Ford.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN A. ROBERTS
At the West County staple, pair a whiskey with your favorite cut of steak. End the evening with a whiskey-infused dessert, such as the Maker’s Mark Bourbon Crème Brûlée. 16806 Chesterfield Airport Road.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY HOLLY FANN
The St. Louis spot for whiskey and cigar lovers, this cozy Central West End bar stocks a wide variety of bourbons, ryes and single malts, including some unlikely “unicorn” bottles, such as Blanton’s. 316 N. Euclid.
What began as a small wine shop and tasting room with charcuterie boards is now a full-scale restaurant with a large patio and even larger bar program, featuring more than 80 whiskeys. There are so many bottles, there’s a dedicated “whiskey wall” behind the bar. For those who prefer whiskey in a cocktail, try the Bygone Age, a concoction of bourbon, orange, calvados, aquavit, cassis, rosemary, and cardamom. The elegant drink echoes the stylish atmosphere. 5634 Telegraph.
For fun whiskey cocktails, check out this corner lounge in Benton Park. The drinks feature an outrageous array of garnishes, sure to have you glancing over at the next table and saying, “Oooh! What’s that?” 1811 Pestalozzi.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE MAHE
Hamilton’s Steakhouse & Urban Bourbon Bar
While Hamilton's is best known for steaks, the bourbon selection is also noteworthy. Follow the restaurant on social media to be the first to know about whiskey-themed dinners. 2101 Chouteau.
The popular Lafayette Square establishment sets the bar high for St. Louis’ bar scene and features a whiskey collection that’s second to none. Scotch fans can find nearly every expression of Compass Box at the award-winning bar. 1000 Mississippi.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY VIRGINIA HAROLD
The knowledgeable staff can help provide guidance while perusing the whiskey options. The restaurant also offers a Whiskey Club punch card, which allows guests to work toward whiskey rewards with every pour. 5065 Highway N, Cottleville.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE MAHE
When looking for limited-release whiskeys, you might not automatically envision a local barbecue chain, but Tom Schmidt's popular restaurants frequently offer these finds at reasonable prices. Of the five Salt + Smoke locations, Ballpark Village has the greatest selection of special-release and harder-to-find whiskeys, thanks to the high volume of businesspeople and tourists around the stadium. When demand is high, so is supply when it comes to alcohol distribution. Beverage manager Jordan Greenwood shared that because of demand, Salt + Smoke is able to procure one-off bottles, such as the New Riff 6 Year Malted Rye and Leopold Brothers Three Chamber Rye. Blanton’s and WhistlePig also remain top sellers. Enjoy a stunning view of Busch Stadium from the restaurant’s deck while sipping one of the menu's approximate 150 whiskeys. 501 Clark.
The Central West End haunt is a can’t-miss destination for local and out-of-town whiskey lovers alike. 8 S. Sarah.
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF SMALL BATCH
More than 120 whiskeys are available at the Midtown spot, which features a 1930s Art Deco-style lounge. Can’t decide what to order? Small Batch offers whiskey flights. 3001 Locust.
Why does Stone Turtle have so many whiskeys? Perhaps it’s owner and bar manager Nick Funke’s degree in mathematical economics. Quantitatively and qualitatively speaking, the number is impressive, with more than 100 selections. The offerings include bourbon, Scotch, Irish, American, rye, and international (leaning heavily towards Japan ,with a sprinkling of Canadian), as well as limited releases that are available as long as supplies last. The Little Book Ch. 5 “The Invitation” limited release from Clermont, Kentucky, seems a fitting summons to check out this gastropub. Consider visiting on a Monday night, when many other places are closed. 6335 Clayton.
Cherokee Street’s whiskey dive offers a fantastic selection of 50-plus whiskeys and a superb cocktail menu. Like any good dive bar, the drinks are strong and affordable. 2651 Cherokee.
Elisa Essner is a member of the Missouri Whiskey Society.
