Jason W.
Yelp
The Whiskey Ward's one of my favorite bars in the world. It doesn't have the broadest selection of whiskies (that'd be Jack Rose in DC, or even Copper & Oak a few blocks away). It doesn't have the best prices (that'd be Avenue Pub in New Orleans). It isn't the prettiest, by a long shot (sorry, guys!). But it's the bar to which I return time and time again, and pretty much every time I have the pleasure of finding myself in New York.
The Whiskey Ward's a place where I've enjoyed sampling many a dram with old friends. This is a classic, no-frills, quasi-dive bar that happens to have a hell of a whiskey collection. Wood paneling in abundance? Check. Chalkboards with the day's specials and the current bottles? Check. Barrels that double as tables? Double-check.
One thing I appreciate about The Whiskey Ward, and wish more bars would do, is keep an up-to-date stock list on their website. Admittedly, it'd a lot of effort, and bottles will come in and out of rotation as they are finished. But as a true scotch fan, I enjoy poring over a menu and deciding what I want to try in advance -- or, for that matter, deciding whether a bar is even worth visiting.
These guys have a healthy collection of rare and expensive bottles, although I think that they shine in the mid- to high-range, where they price their pours much more affordably than other New York establishments. I didn't splurge on my last trip there, but a 17-year old Signatory Cask Strength Laphroaig was mighty tempting. Whiskey Ward also features bottles from upstart American independent bottler Single Cask Nation and a lot of coveted bottles of American bourbon or rye, such as Kentucky Owl, Parker's Heritage, and Whistlepig Boss Hog Black Prince.
One important note: The Whiskey Ward serves its whiskies with true 2-ounce pours, which is a rarity. In comparison, most of its competitors serve 1.5-ounce pours, and their price per pour is higher than this place. I'm not really sure how they do it, but I'm not going to complain about the wide range of high-end scotches that they offer at under $20. Even better, if you want to try more, you can ask for a 1-ounce pour for half the price.