30 YEARS OF MONTREAL’S WHISKY CAFE
On November 29, 2019, Montreal’s famed Whisky Café celebrated its’ 30-year anniversary. For many Montrealer’s, Whisky Café was always a destination consideration when planning an evening outing. It was the almost the pre-determined spot for a first date, and the subsequent dates that followed. It was a meeting spot for a pre-clubbing night, a post-clubbing spot before heading home, or simply somewhere to go on a weeknight. For whisky lovers, Whisky Café was the unchallenged champion, boasting the best and largest selection of whiskies on the island of Montreal. Only in the last few years, has it gained its fair share of rivals that could claim to match their whisky selection. They were certainly the pioneers, and as Montrealer’s, we were fortunate to have one of the World’s great whisky selections at our disposal. Scrolling through their menu took many minutes, and like a kid in a candy store, there was always a new candy or one that you did not taste yet.
For many of us, their menu was also where we saw and tried rare imported beers, Porto Wines, Sherries, Vodkas and other fine spirits.
Ultimately, it was a place to smoke cigars. Tucked away in the left corner, leather doors open up into a 35-seat cigar lounge. This was the setting for many Montrealer’s first cigar experience during the last 30 years. Countless bachelor parties had Whisky Café on their planned routes, coming from the restaurant, hitting the cigar lounge, and then proceeding to the city’s other attractions.
WHISKY SELECTION
Highly regarded as housing one of the premium single malt whisky selections in North America, Whisky Café now carries between 350 and 450 Single Malt Whiskies, along with numerous blended whiskies. Scotland and Ireland remain the motherland of the majority of the selections, however, they now offer whiskies for Japan, Canada, India, Mexico, Sweden, Taiwan and of course Bourbon Whiskey from the USA. Amongst those, are roughly 20 to 30 Private imports that you won’t find at your local liquor store.
The Quaich Awards honored Whisky Café in 2011, 2012, 2015, and 2016, awarding the Montreal landmark as having “one of the finest Malt Whisky lists in the World”. It also won Bar of the Year in 2008 from the Icons of Whisky, as well as Whisky Bar of the World.
WHISKY FALL OF FAME
Lined along the wall facing the extensive bar, you find a beautiful wall to wall cabinet containing some of the rarest bottles you’ll come across. This “Whisky Wall of Fame” contains approximately 100 rare bottles. Some of these bottles have been there since day 1. Many of the bottles were produced in very strict limited quantities, and this wall may very well be the only place they still can be found.
When asked what was one of the treasures of that wall, the current owner quickly cited the Port Ellen 37 Year Old. At the moment, I happened to find a bottle of the Port Ellen 1978 37 year Old 16th Release (2016) on The Whisky Exchange selling for 2750 GBP. On Wine Searcher It was selling for as high as $7000 CAD.
There are several special bottles like this found on the coveted wall.
The only Bottle that’s not a whisky in the wall of fame is a Martell Cognac with the COHIBA edition, which ties in perfectly with the room to which this wall leads to, the “Salon de Cigares”.
Being a Whisky Aficionado of sorts, I could not help but take in a few of the rarities on this wall. Here are some that stood out for me.
Michel Couvreur Pale Single Single. A very old bottle of this sits on the shelves.
Stillman’s Dram Bruichladdich Aged 26 Years
Ardbeg Very Old 1977 Limited Edition
Bowmore is a very popular Islay single malt, however, you won’t find these in many places:
Bowmore Triple Distilled Cask Strength
Bowmore DUSK, Bordeaux Wine Casked
Bowmore Claret Bordeaux Wine Casked
Bowmore Mariner 15 years
These rare Bowmore bottles are housed together with an actual piece of Peat from the Bowmore distillery.
These bottles found on the Whisky Wall of Fame are not on the menu and are not for sale. Given the rarity of them, selling an ounce of any one bottles, and leaving the rest of the bottle open until the next client, doesn’t make it a logical choice. Perhaps one day a celebration will be had where one of these bottles can be enjoyed.
MORE THAN WHISKY
Aside from the impressive list of whiskies, their menu also carries a very nice selection of Calvados, Vodka, Porto, over a dozen Rums, over a dozen Tequila / Mezcal, and over a dozen Gins. The selection of Cognacs is also very impressive and includes the famed Louis XIII bottle by Remy Martin. The menu also has over a dozen Champagne bottes, loads of red and white wines, grappa and beers.
Their menu also has a few interesting cocktails, notably the “Montreal Mule”. An original cocktail developed in house and a take on the famous Moscow Mule. Their bartenders can also fix you a “Blood and Smoke” which is essentially a Caesar with a peated whisky.
HISTORY & FUTURE
Whisky Café was opened officially on November 29, 1989 by a Montreal entrepreneur. He recently sold the establishment to another local businessman who looks to carry the torch forward. The cigar lounge only opened years later in the mid 90s. The current lounge area was previously used as a storage room.
Looking to the future is key to any other customer focused business. Whilst maintaining their strong hold on the whisky selection, the new ownership has revamped the spirits menu, and added many cocktails. The whisky lover also added a few bottles to the wall of fame. As for the cigar menu, we’re all glad to know it has also been updated, carrying more selection while lowering their prices.
MONTREAL’S MOST FAMOUS WASHROOM
Aside from their whisky selection, the bar remains famous for their men’s washroom. For all the women who always heard about it, here is a photo! This other famous wall in the café was also there since day 1.
Although most people talk about the men’s mural, there was also a standing urinal in the women’s washroom from 1998 to 2007!
CIGAR LOUNGE
As the smoking laws evolved, Montreal proudly had a fair selection of cigar rooms where patrons could enjoy their cigars. As businesses closed and /or changed direction, only a handful of cigar rooms remain in the city. Whisky Café remains one of them.
The cigar selection, in the past was never a contender to the well curated whisky menu. Many clients brought their own cigars and opted to pay the $10 cutting fee. However, since new ownership took over management in 2018, the cigar menu has improved. There are now Cuban cigars, cigars from Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Italy, USA and Honduras. The prices of the cigars also dropped, paving way for a higher rotation in the humidor, all of it making it more appealing for customers to buy their cigars instead of bringing their own.
ART
Prior to becoming the internationally renowned artist, Joanne Corno was commissioned to create a painting for the Whisky Café. The artist incorporated the colors used in the interior of the place. The original work hangs at the entrance and welcomes guest as they enter.
LANDMARK
Every city has their landmark restaurants, bars, hotels and unique establishments. Ask 10 Montrealers to name 10 city landmark places, and you can bet that Whisky Café will have earned their way on most of those lists.
To the staff and ownership, past and present of Whisky Café, congratulations and cheers to many many more years.
Salud!
Head over to Whisky Cafe now and plan your next visit!
Photo credits. All photos taken by CubanHouseofCigars for this article, except where noted by Gaelle Vuillaume
