Absolutely nothing at The Fife Arms, the Highland resort in the town of Braemar, Scotland, is to be expected– as well as this is true of its most recent expose: Bertie’s Whisky Bar. The sumptuously elegant and glamourous whisky bar is called in honor of Queen Victoria’s eldest kid, King Edward VII, likewise referred to as ‘Bertie’. Influenced by the famous Royal bon viveur, recognized for his infamously spirited habits, the brand-new whisky bar at the Fife Arms welcomes every one of this much-loved monarch’s luxury, appetite forever as well as too much spirit in every feeling. Bertie’s is an event of whisky as well as this hedonic successor, a gregarious and larger than life personality who played fast and loose with the rules, had a love of opulence as well as all the marvels of the world.
A whisky for every day of the year
Bertie’s resembles nothing else whisky bar, as a matter of fact, there is no ‘bar’ at Bertie’s. Rather, guests will certainly lose themselves in a maze of whisky bottles, set up like publications on shelves, backlit in a lustrous amber casting a seductive radiance across the room. Bertie’s can be said to be a ‘whisky collection’ where guests are actively motivated to discover, wander and also surf with bartenders as ‘curators’ to address questions and make ideas.
There are 365 whiskies, one for every day of the year, unusually organized by taste account: Fragrant, Fruity, Rich and Smoky– instead of by name, age, credibility or region. Eighty 5 percent of the menu will certainly be Scotch whiskies, with the remainder originating from worldwide. The experience has actually been created for the amateur as high as for the specialist– and to be charitable, comfortable and extravagant. Bertie’s guests uncover the finest and rarest drams of the globe, complete with curator ladders as well as carts for an appealing as well as individualized design of solution. The collection of whiskies at Bertie’s are frequently be freshened. This sense of exploration is at the heart of Bertie’s. Visitors will find out about an entire host of whiskies, various grains, distillation, strategies, types of oak as well as various other woods.
Curating the whiskies by flavor, especially for those less acquainted with whisky, makes a big collection less intimidating, specifically when improved by discussions with Bertie’s experienced ‘whisky sommeliers’. They direct guests with this gem box of all the very best whiskies worldwide, obscure regions, whether it is a locate from Finland, a gem from Israel, Canada or New Zealand, or a ‘secret’ uncommon staying container of a restricted collection not readily available on the open market. Bertie’s will provide the rarest solitary cask whiskies. Each solitary cask whisky is unique and as soon as it is gone, it is gone. There are nevertheless some whiskies which are two times as rare, as the distilleries they originate from have actually now closed, making materials limited. Ultra-rare drams that can be experienced at Bertie’s include the likes of Caperdonich, Imperial and Pittyvaich.
A choice of four-dram whisky flights is likewise offered. The elegant ‘Edwardian Delights’ choice properly mirrors Bertie’s love of the fine points in life and the richer designs of the moment– consisting of Craigellachie 17 year old, Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Redbreast 15 year old as well as, of course, Royal Lochnagar Selected Reserve.
Bertie’s offers a matching sampling menu– full of delicacies, in addition to a tiny whisky mixed drink food selection. An immersive whisky sampling program is likewise be readily available, for the adventurous in mind.
The interiors – “A supremely comfy and also exceptionally attractive bar …”
Bertie’s has actually been developed by Russell Sage Studio, the group responsible for the much spoken about insides of the remainder of the resort. Russell discusses that entering Bertie’s is “like going into a sorcerer’s store, shelves expanding with casts– with a collection of magnificently brightened whisky bottles which in turn cast an amber glow around the area and its guests.”
Open up from 3pm to 3am, one of the most striking functions of Bertie’s interior decoration is the unbelievable lights, conceived so the space is constantly inviting, creating an intimate atmosphere. Later at night the lights rely on a smoldering red, as the setting ends up being ever before more kicked back. There are even uplighters in the cocktail tables, so the whisky glimmers as it is poured into the glasses.
King Edward VII was well-known for his love of luxury; he would certainly have actually approved of the bespoke and antique oak furnishings, keeping in mind the specially made Whisky Keep and also initial coins ingrained decoratively in the furniture, including his very own honorable profile. The textures show his extravagance with furnishings lushly upholstered in soft velvet, mohair as well as natural leather, lots of abundant tassels as well as trims and also plump cushions. Sparkling antique glass wares, original wall surface lights and also table lights and also twinkling brass and crystal all add to the ‘glow impact’ in the space. The wall surfaces and also ceiling are embellished by beautiful painter Mark Sands, whose work is featured somewhere else in the hotel, to resemble antique natural leather, with an abundant deep paint finish through the rest of the space.
The Fife Arms Braemar Whisky
To celebrate the opening of Bertie’s Whisky Bar, The Fife Arms has appointed its very own whisky. Working with Adelphi Distillery to develop a combined whisky, The Fife Arms Braemar Whisky went for the opening of Bertie’s – showing the design as well as taste of whiskies which would certainly have existed when The Fife Arms was constructed in the late Victoria and also Edwardian period. These tastes were slightly fuller in vogue, with a little smoke coming via. The Fife Arms Braemar Whisky retails at simply under ₤ 100 a bottle and is offered for purchase in the U.S.
. It is wished that Prince Bertie would certainly have felt very at home in this most private of whisky bars in this most extraordinary of Highland resorts– sitting back by the roaring fire as well as welcoming the attractive environments, taking pleasure in a stogie with a dram or 2. A fitting tribute to a fun-loving queen, a true mediator referred to as ‘The Uncle of Europe’– and also an occasional drinker.
