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Looking for the kind of whiskey bar that changes your mind—and your order? We compare notes with Whiskey Advocate’s Top 150 and hold our local favorites to the same standard, asking what truly earns the title: deep selection, thoughtful flights, smart glassware, and staff who can teach without preaching. From The Last Word’s legit shelves in Ann Arbor to Sugar House’s cocktail mastery in Corktown, and the neighborhood comfort of Butter Run Saloon, we map how atmosphere and curation work together to make a pour unforgettable.

https://whiskybars.whiskyadvocate.com/

We also rewind to a Detroit classic: the Last Word cocktail, equal parts charm and balance, now tougher to find thanks to Chartreuse’s monk-guarded scarcity. That story becomes a mirror for the whiskey hunt itself—allocation games, store picks, and the quiet thrill of a speakeasy where you can taste before you buy. Along the way, we trade recommendations across New York, Seattle, DC, and Colorado, debating whether we chase hype lists or the room that makes us slow down.

Then the night flips from talk to taste. We run a four-glass blind flight with a few surprises: a coffee-infused Bib & Tucker that divides the table but begs for an espresso-martini riff; a Michigan blend finished across American oak, cognac, and toasted oak that proves local juice has matured into itself; and a high-proof curveball that drinks bigger than its burn. When the envelopes open, an Old Soul single barrel takes the crown, with Four Roses reminding us that “easy” doesn’t mean “boring.” The takeaway is simple: the best whiskey bars don’t just collect bottles—they guide you to the pour you didn’t know you needed.

If you love whiskey lists, blind tastings, and the hunt for rooms with soul, hit follow, share this with a friend who needs a new favorite bar, and drop a comment with the best whiskey spot in your city. Cheers.

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Jamie Flanagan @DJJamieDetroit

Matt Fox @fox_beazlefox

August Gitschlag @rawgusto

Merch www.WearingFunny.com