I felt like a zombie as soon as I touched down in Belgium.
20.09.2023 - 13:15 / forbes.com / Johnnie Walker / In Edinburgh
One of the best things about being in the drinks business is that if you do it right, you eventually find yourself with a sprawling global network of like-minded drinkers with hyper-discerning palates. You get to spend time with the industry’s finest in the most pleasurable way: Imbibing (and breaking bread) with distillers, blenders, bartenders, brand ambassadors, spirits educators, and founders—among many others. (An education in and of itself if you ask me.)
But beyond all that, one of the not-insignificant perks is being able to ask away about all the best places to drink, knowing you’ll get nothing but quality recommendations. I reach out all the time whenever I travel to new places—or cities I haven’t visited in a while. And now, as I plan yet another pilgrimage to Scotland, I connected with the great palate behind Johnnie Walker—Dr. Emma Walker (no relation), who lives in Leith, a waterfront district in northern Edinburgh with a rich maritime and trade history.
Walker, who is the first female master blender in Johnnie Walker’s 200-year history, initially joined Diageo as a project scientist in the company’s Menstrie-based whisky specialist team before moving on to blending and distilling roles at Cameronbridge, Knockando, and Leven—familiarizing herself in all the different aspects of whisky production. Having spent a few years doing that, she eventually found herself succeeding the legendary Jim Beveridge.
So it’s certainly no question that she knows her way around whisky—and a great many watering holes. And her enthusiasm for Auld Reekie, as Edinburgh is affectionately called, knows no bounds.
“Edinburgh is full of creative people who can think of new and different ways of delighting customers and can build amazing teams around them. It’s got a great environment and local culture—people are welcoming and enjoy a chat and they take on ideas from visitors,” Walker says. “And [Edinburgh] has great local raw ingredients and gifted suppliers across food, brewing, and distilling—along with the talented craftspeople who help to build these venues.”
Here, Walker graciously shares her top 13 bars in Edinburgh.
“Of course, the Johnnie Walker Princes Street’s 1820 Rooftop Bar is top of the list!!! It’s a fantastic bar with an unmissable view hosted by a great team including the gifted Miran Chauhan and Murray Dyrsdale, who have just introduced a new menu for their visitors. Even if I didn’t work for Johnnie Walker, I would still have this at the top of the recommendation list.”
“The Voyage of Buckis ‘round the corner’ and our go-to place before heading to Johnnie Walker Princes Street. Amazing food and staff, with a great cocktail range, complemented by a good range of Johnnie Walker whiskies.
“The
I felt like a zombie as soon as I touched down in Belgium.
Part of the vast 22,500-acre Elveden estate, owned by the Guinness family, this charming pub with rooms is surrounded by the Brecks, one of the most wildlife-rich areas in the UK, part of Thetford Forest. Stroll the forest tracks beneath blazing autumnal canopies, and look out for stone curlews, woodlarks and nightjars, roe and red deer, hares and muntjac. The High Lodge Forest Centre has play areas, cycle trails and a tree canopy adventure course – ideal if you’re visiting with the kids, with family rooms (sleeping up to four) available at the inn. Doubles from £105 B&B; elvedeninn.com
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