The Weekly Feed: Experimentation Edition
Former Blade Staffers Launch 'DC Agenda'
D.C. Insurance Dept. Denies Birth Control Coverage Meddling
Controversy Over Rhee Now to Include Sex, Congress
D.C. Unemployment Rate Reaches 11.9 Percent
Scotch lovers rejoice! There's a new joint in town serving some of the world's rarest and most sought after scotches, and it's opening just in time for the upcoming celebrations in D.C. Not to be outdone by all the other establishments stepping up the snazz for inauguration, the Willard Intercontinental Hotel's Round Robin Bar is now featuring The Scotch Bar, a cozy little alcove within the Round Robin that is home to an intimate bar and small seating area—not to mention a wide selection of premium scotches. Exploring the newly compiled catalog of Scotch malt whiskies, including dozens of labels and ages from each of the regions of Scotland, might be the perfect way to kick off an extra long inauguration weekend, or to top off a long night of inaugural ball-ing.
The Scotch Bar aims to create the "total scotch experience," and that begins with bartender Jim Hewes's well-crafted list of more than 100 kinds of Scotch malt whisky. In addition to several of the "usuals"—the newer Glenlivets and Macallans, the bar also boasts its Prestige Collection: more rare spirits from Glenmorangie, 25-year-aged Balvenie and Caol Ila, and a King George V Blue Label aged more than 60 years. Tastes are available in 1/4-ounce "tots," ($3-$20) or one ounce servings ($10-$70).
Hewes has also designed several sets of flights that pair several of the selections. For Scotch connoisseurs—or adventurous first-timers—the malts can can be mixed and matched for a self-designed flight. If straight liquor—even at $70 an ounce—just isn't your thing, the bar is also hearkening back to Washington's harder-drinking past with some old-fashioned whisky cocktails, including the Rob Royale (malt whisky, honey and champagne) and the Silver Bullet, a martini made with gin and scotch at $14 apiece.
Hewes, an admitted "recreational historian," has also created a temporary special menu of "presidential cocktails" to be served at The Round Robin Bar throughout the long weekend. Assigning a drink for each president, stretching all the way back to George Washington with Madeira wine, the list touches on historical events or trends from each of the presidents' tenures. Kick back at The Round Robin with a Ward 8, popularized by Teddy Roosevelt, an onion-tastic Gibson (named for Chester A. Arthur's mentor) or a glass of sparkling California wine, which Ronald Reagan served at his first inaugural. Given the temps being predicted for the weekend, however, visitors may lean toward Andrew Johnson's favorite: a hot brandy toddy.
The Scotch Bar is now open daily from 4:30 p.m. to 12 a.m., and The Round Robin Bar is open Monday through Saturday from noon to 1 a.m., and on Sundays from noon to midnight.
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I stopped by the Round Robin Bar for a drink on Saturday: place was gnarly. The bar was sticky, there were bottles everywhere, dirty dishes stacked up behind the bar. An unpleasant atmosphere, to say the least.
Oh, and my drink (a gimlet) sucked.