Milroy's - Soho, London

Milroy's has received quite an inspired reimagination. London's oldest whisky shop, perched on the northern end of Greek Street, has been retrofitted to become two separate bars whilst still vending bottles of Britain's finest single malts, with a number of other spirits to boot. Upon entering, it's impossible to miss the twelve-seater whisky bar, where connoisseurs and neophytes alike can get a taste of over 250 varieties of John Barleycorn served in 35ml pours rather than the standard (miserly) 25ml you'll find everywhere else. For serious drinkers, there's also the option to keep your favourite bottle in a locker for repeat sessions. 

Walking to the back of the shop leads to a bookshelf. If you look carefully you'll notice a handle in one of the alcoves, and if you pull on that handle you'll reveal a winding old staircase leading down towards Simo's bar - The Vault. The namesake proprietor is a twenty-eight year old mixologist-cum-carpenter who not only put together a bang-up cocktail menu, but also helped design and build the bar, as he's CEO of his own building company Griffin Construction.

On a Friday night the 55-seater bar was approaching capacity. Mismatched seating is spread throughout with exposed bricks, a private room crafted from barrels in the rear of the venue, and a pendant-lit bar behind which Simo plies his trade. Of the cocktails that we had the resounding winner was The Milroy. Mixed with 1999 Millestone Dutch Whisky, Carpano Antica and Angostura Bitters, it packed a Balboa-esque punch. Rosy cheeks abound. 

Second place, in our humble opinion, went to the Mezcalito - crafted with mezcal, reposado tequila, grapefruit, lime, maraschino, black sea salt and a blood orange ice cube - an intoxicating blend of smoke and citrus. It's really cool that Milroy's had the foresight to diversify its offerings, and that one of London's most established shops can continue as one of its most avant garde. Who knows, it may still be around in another couple of centuries.