Justie L.
Yelp
2 of my 3 great loves in life are whisk(e)y and libraries (the third is dogs). So naturally, once I learned that this place existed, I absolutely had to visit. After enjoying a gigantic dinner by the Shibuya station, we decided to walk the mile to the Tokyo Whisky Library, tucked away in a little alley on the second story above a Diesel shop.
In my excitement, I missed it the first go-around. But there is a gargantuan sign above Diesel noting the TWL on the second floor, which can be accessed by a fairy-light-adorned staircase to the left. The foyer is furnished just like an old timey library, with a chandelier dangling from the ceiling and gorgeous mahogany shelves filled with books about whiskey. And thus began the dopey, heart-eyes gaze and open-mouthed beam that I'm positive I had plastered on my face my entire time here.
Upon walking into the actual restaurant/room/lounge, you're greeted with an impressive bar showcasing all of the fancypants bar things. To the right is the showcase of all of the non-whiskey liquors, and then walking in further is just one of the most beautiful sights I've ever seen in my 24 years of life: a floor to ceiling built-into-the-walls book(whiskey?)case boasting their incredible selection. There's even a ladder on a track! I had to do my absolute best not to channel my inner Belle from Beauty and the Beast and hop in the ladder, swinging my way across and singing nonsensical yet dramatic songs. The decor is just what you'd expect from something called a whiskey library--think along the lines of: a 75-year-old man who retired from Wall Street and spends his days sipping bourbon and playing golf.
Our waiter presented us with two menus: one with recommended whiskeys and cocktails, and the other an inch-thick, perfect bound, foil-stamped- linen covered book of their full whiskey offerings. As a sucker for whiskey, books, and particularly bookbinding methods, that book alone would've been my heaven. Their selection is truly impressive, with most of their bottles seemingly to be Scottish (makes sense), but also a strong variety of Japanese, American, Canadian, and even Taiwanese whiskeys.
After a long debilitation period, I elected to go with the Ichiro Malt Double Distillery, neat. It was wonderful. Light but flavorful, it's an easy-to-drink whiskey that still has some personality to it. My sister had the Nikka From the Barrel, served over an ice ball. A much stronger whiskey that has some peat to it, the ice ball was definitely a good call on her part, and helped open up some flavors that would've otherwise been hidden behind the initial aggression of this one. It was unfortunately pretty late by the time we got here, so we didn't stay for a second drink due to exhaustion.
My one small bone to pick with TWL is that the music selection was a bit odd. It seemed pretty random, like the shuffled playlist of someone in their early 30's with very eclectic taste. It ranged from Bruno Mars's Uptown Funk to The Kinks' You Really Got Me, and touched on a lot of genres in between. Personally, because I'm a 60-year-old man at heart, I would've loved if they were playing jazz. I think it would fit a little more with the decor and the persona they're trying to push. Oh, okay, I lied. My other bone to pick is that there aren't dogs here, so that all of the great loves of my life could exist in one place. But I realize that I'm a crazy person, so I can't hold that against them.
I'm super bummed that I don't live in Tokyo, literally for this one place alone. If you're a whiskey lover, this is an absolute must in the area.