Mizuwari

Time Out says

Mon Feb 18 2013

By Euan Ferguson

Mizuwari is a first in London. It’s the only bar in the city dedicated to that other Japanese national drink: whisky. The country’s first distillery opened in 1923, inspired by the ancient methods of Scotland, and there are now eight producers of single malt in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Japanese whisky has much of the complexity of Scotch, although with a more approachable countenance, some say. The barman here really knows his stuff, and was able to assist us with what is the biggest selection of Japanese whiskies in London. Get stuck in and soon you’ll be comparing the nuances of Hanyu 1991 ‘Ace of Spades’ with Karuizawa 1984 Cask #4021. All best served with a dash of water, or straight.

You can also try some beautifully balanced and stimulating cocktails such as the Risshun, with Yamazaki 12-year-old, honey plum liqueur and ginger. They’re served over hand-cut chunks of crystal-clear ice. Signature drink is the Mizuwari, a refreshing mix of your choice of whisky, distilled water, ice and a lemon twist.

Snacks come in the form of yakitori from the chefs in the Bincho grill restaurant upstairs. The skewers of pork belly, chicken gizzard and eel go extremely well with all the whisky.