Duke

Bangkok’s latest whiskey and cigar lounge is also a serious art gallery showing off the works of Thai talents. Tucked away in Gaysorn shopping center, Duke welcomes you with a variety of colorful contemporary art pieces lining the raw-cement walls. Their rotating tasting flight currently focuses on Aberlour, a 19th century distillery from Scotland’s Speyside region. For B980, you get to taste the 12 year old, 16 year old and Aberlour A’bunadh.

1/F, Gaysorn Village, 999 Phloen Chit Rd., 080-587-9520. Open daily 11am-midnight

Malt and Salt

The four partners behind Ekamai Mall’s comfort-food institution, Burger Factory, have transformed their venue into a whiskey bar, with a new name and look to match. The fresh concept looks to take advantage of Thais’ growing interest in whiskey labels that go beyond the ubiquitous Johnnie Walker Black. There are several tasting flights to try, like Value for Money (B790), which features Monkey Shoulder, Black Label, Gentleman Jack and Chivas 12 year old, the Royal Flight (Glenfiddich 21 year old, Singleton 18 year old, Glenlivet 21 year old, B1,490) and Malt Experience (Glenfiddich 12 year old, Singleton 12 year old, Macallan 12 year old, Glenlivet 12 year old, B1,090).

G/F, Ekkamai Mall, Ekkamai Soi 10, 02-714-4249. Open daily 5pm-1am

Balcony Lounge & Humidor

If you’re looking for a classic setting that doesn’t require membership, Intercontinental Hotel’s Balcony Lounge & Humidor is your spot. The handsome day-and-night hangout offers an extensive range of malt whiskey as well as cigars. The tasting flights are split into three categories: The Chivas Regal Set (B1,499), The Johnnie Walker Set (B1,599) and the Single Malt Set (B1,699), which features Singleton 12 year old, Old Putteney 17 year old and Matisse 21 year old.

L/F, Intercontinental Bangkok, 973 Phloen Chit Rd., 02-656-0444 ext.6477. Open daily 8-1am

Yoichi Nikka Bar

Solemnly toned and moodily lit, this high-end Japanese bar specializes in food and drinks from that country’s northernmost island, Hokkaido, and has an even greater selection of whiskey than next door’s Hanakaruta. The bar takes its name from Japan’s Nikka distillery, from which they offer tasting flights in your choice of either the blended set (B700) or the malt set (B800). Other tasting selections include the Taketsuru set (B1,000), which goes up to 21 years old, and the Taketsuru SP set (B2,300), which goes up to 25. Cheaper options include the Islay set (B800), Glenfiddich set (B700) and Jack Daniels set (B600).

Sukhumvit Soi 39. 02-662-4270. Open daily 6pm-2am

Black Amber Thonglor Social Club

Complete with barber shop, tattoo studio, vintage clothing store and full-on gentlemen’s whiskey bar, the Black Amber building offers a community-like atmosphere. Tasting flights are categorized by the taste/texture of the whiskey: Fruity & Floral (B650), Treasure of Malts (B550), Spicy & Rounded (B500) and Full Bodied & Smoky (B570). On top of that you can also get the Balvenie set for B1,060 and Chivas Regal set for B540.

160/17 Thonglor Soi 6. 092-276-2772. Open Tue-Sun 6:30pm-2am