America's Top 5 whiskey bars

With the holidays fast approaching, temperatures aross the American landscape are dropping. It’s cold out. And while we seek warmth in the form of hot cocoa and oversized sweaters, nothing melts the winter blues away like our favorite whiskeys.

Originally distilled by medieval monks in Scotland and Ireland, Americans long ago discovered our own corn-based mixture of whiskey, which now holds a special place in our history and culture.

While beer may have supported the settlements at Plymouth and Jamestown, it was whiskey that accompanied westward pioneers and revolutionary soldiers in their quest to forge a new nation. In light of its place at holiday gatherings, I set out to find the best whiskey bars in America. Through trial by fire, here are the top five that warmed my soul.

The Last Hurrah - Boston, MA

image courtesy Rick Friedman

Boston’s most storied whiskey bar is located on the ground floor of the Omni Parker House hotel and carries a timeless, classic ambiance that drips from the expensive leather and rich mahogany adorning its interior. The Last Hurrah moonlights as a miniature museum of 20th century Boston and has a deep history that’s woven into the fabric of local politics and Bostonian society. The bar has won countless awards and is a destination for whiskey aficionados from around the globe. Serving everything from cordials to cocktails, The Last Hurrah boasts an amazing collection of local whiskeys and was an easy choice for this list.

Pope House Bourbon Lounge - Portland, OR

The Pacific Northwest is full of great watering holes, wineries and whiskey bars. But Pope House Bourbon Lounge in Portland is on a different level. It offers an intimate atmosphere with an incredible menu. Set in a renovated Victorian home, Pope House is the kind of place you feel privileged to visit, yet offers a warm, inviting comfort. The lounge focuses on rare, top-shelf liquors and has a hand-picked selection of Kentucky bourbons. All of which are outstanding.

Olde Blind Dog Irish Pub - Milton, GA

Just north of Atlanta, in a small area known as Milton, is the Olde Blind Dog Irish Pub, and within its doors you’ll discover a tiny slice of Ireland—authentic cuisine, rare craft beer, and of course, a seemingly endless roster of Irish whiskey. And I’m talking the good shit. Bushmills 1608. Midleton. Good luck finding those in your neighborhood bar & grill. At its core, Olde Blind Dog is a pub. It’s not buttoned up. It doesn’t offer a sense of exclusivity or elegance. It’s just a good, honest place with good whiskey. So sit back, enjoy a single-malt paired with a hearty ale and, who knows, you may just find yourself singing Irish drinking songs with a bunch of your new best friends.

Jack Rose Dining Saloon - Washington, DC

No list of top whiskey bars is complete without Jack Rose Dining Saloon. It’s the legitimizer. And while there’s no shortage of upscale bourbon bars in the nation’s capital, there’s something special about this one. Jack Rose appeals to both whiskey collectors looking to spend top dollar and locals who simply come to enjoy a stiff drink and a plate of wings on a nice day. The breezy, open-air terrace provides a handsome space for people watching and its lineup of international scotches, bourbons and whiskeys is unrivaled.

The Silver Dollar - Louisville, KY

You didn’t think I’d really keep Kentucky off the list, did you? No, no, no. This is the heart of bourbon country, where generations of resilient Americans have tinkered and toiled and distilled like their lives depended on it. The Silver Dollar in Louisville is not only a haven for purists, but is widely considered the standard in Southern whiskey bars. With throwback honky tonk records whispering in the background and an impressive stable of local distilleries, The Silver Dollar quickly reminds you why Kentucky is the mecca of authentic bourbon whiskey.