La Maison du whisky

Time Out says

This is an unusually excellent spirits boutique, and for good reason: since 1968, La Maison du Whisky has worked hard at introducing people to the richness of single malts from all over the world. If Scotland is the principal origin of the golden liquor (from the Lowlands to the Orkney Isles, names to conjure with), the shelves are also stocked with Japanese, American and French bottles. So the enlightened enthusiast will find unusual names and new flavours to explore, and the passionate staff will quickly school the beginner in avoiding rookie errors. You’ll struggle to leave empty-handed, or without the fumes of a tasting session on your breath.

As well as import and distribution, La Maison also makes special selection from the best distilleries to offer their clients exclusive vintages, like a 2007 Kilochman (€99) or a 1990 Dalmore (€350), chosen by the boutique’s owner Jean-Marc Bellier as the best whisky of 2012. If you can’t afford to shell out for these gems, you can still get some very good bottles for around €50. And when you see the rainbow of amber shades in the window that beckons your palate and your eye, you’ll be hard put not to push open the door of 20 Rue d’Anjou.

By NH/EH