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www.whiskyfinland.com |
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CITY OF HELSINKI Helsinki is the capital and largest city of Finland. It is in the southern part of Finland (Uusimaa Province) on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, by the Baltic Sea. The population is about 574 000 at the moment. Helsinki is Finland's administrative and business centre. There is also a large and varied collection of museums and galleries. Very cozy and intimate city to visit at. Official Helsinki site Helsinki in Wikipedia If you have new info on these existing pubs/restaurants OR there is a pub missing and you think it should be included, please inform me: legless.scotsman@gmail.com |
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OLUTRAVINTOLA PIKKULINTU (Pub)(Klaavuntie 11, Puotila district)  This place can boast of having perhaps one of the largest collection of single malt whiskies in Finland (around 300) and the collection includes e.g. Bowmore Vintage's 1957 (38 yo), 1968 (Bourbon Wood, 37 yo), 1971 (Sherry Wood, 34 yo), Lagavulin 21 yo and Ardbeg vintage 1965 (39 yo) + a whole lotta more brands on the shelves. Pikkulintu is one of three restaurants in Finland to have received Whisky Magazine's award for being one of the best whisky restaurants in the world (Michael Jackson (R.I.P.) visited the pub many times when was in Finland). It is weirdly not situated at the city centre but at Puotila district few kilometres to east. Lots of good beer available and they also organize whisky tasting evenings. Great and very very eccentric place to make a whisky pilgrimage.... Evaluated: April 2008. MY POINTS AND VIEWS: Whisky collection: 100/100 Brilliant whisky collection (about 300 brands). Whiskylist available. The most expensive dram costs 220€ (Bowmore 1957) The staff: 20/20 The staff on duty was good, pro and polite and they let me examine the bottles. I also didn't have to pay after every dram. The environment: 5/10 Very basic pub environment but still was somewhat cozy. The atmosphere: 10/10 Relaxed atmosphere. Popular place. It was a positive surprise to see there was no music at the background. Well, during our stay at least. Was easy to chat. TOTAL POINTS: 135/140 Pikkulintu website The location of Pikkulintu What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant 
BLACK DOOR (Pub)(Iso Roobertinkatu 1)  Beer pub where you can find real ale but also approximately 75 single malt whiskies. Offer tastings and they also have some rarities in the collection, like Bowmore 1971 vintage 34 y.o. (80€/4cl). Re-evaluated: June 2009. MY POINTS AND VIEWS: Whisky collection: 60/100 Good whisky collection (about 75 single malts). Whiskylist available. The staff: 20/20 The staff on duty was very good, pro and polite and they let me examine the bottles. Special thanks to bartender Esa Paloharju and his knowledge of whiskies. The environment: 5/10 Basic pub environment but definitely better than an average Finnish pub. Dartboards available. The atmosphere: 10/10 Relaxed and calm atmosphere. Music wasn't too loud and it was easy to chat with your friend. Very enjoyable. TOTAL POINTS: 95/140 Black Door (Delifox) website The location of Black Door What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant 
OLD ANCHOR (Pub)(Pursimiehenkatu 16) Ahoy! Ye landlubbers, argh. A marine-type restaurant with a good collection of whiskies. Much respected by the Whisky Forum. Evaluated: January 2008. MY POINTS AND VIEWS: Whisky collection: 60/100 About 70 single malts. The staff: 5/20 The staff on duty gave me quite basic service. Whiskylist was available and the bartender let me examine the bottles. The environment: 10/10 Marvelous nautical decoration. Lots of imagination used. Spotlights were a bit too strong and seats a bit shabby but all in all very spectacular interior. The atmosphere: 10/10 Peaceful. Music wasn't too loud. Very enjoyable. TOTAL POINTS: 85/120 Old Anchor website The location of Old Anchor What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant 
PUNAVUOREN AHVEN (Pub)(Punavuorenkatu 12) Evaluated August 2008. MY POINTS AND VIEWS: Whisky collection: 60/100 About 55 single malts available (approximately 60 totally). Good Islay collection. The staff: 20/20 The staff on duty was very professional. Excellent knowledge of whiskies. They also let me examine the bottles. The environment: 0/10 Very basic decoration. The atmosphere: 0/10 Very basic Finnish bar feeling. TOTAL POINTS: 80/120 Punavuoren Ahven (Delifox) website The location of Punavuoren Ahven What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant 
CAFE SIMONKATU (Cafeteria)(Simonkatu 9)  A Cafe at Hotel Scandia. Just beside the reception. Those two stars (and Group A rating) I've given only because of the whisky collection... Re-evaluated: October 2008. MY POINTS AND VIEWS: Whisky collection: 60/100 65 different malts available, the most expensive being Brora 30 y.o. (52€). The staff: 5/20 Obviously some of the members of the staff who were on duty didn't have that much knowledge of the whiskies. Nevertheless, quite friendly personnel and they let me examine the bottles. Whiskylist available. The environment: 0/10 Well, what can I say. This cafe was quite a horrible one. As it was connected with the hotel's reception it was pretty dull, like a waiting room at the airport or something. Music wasn't too loud this time but the chairs (nevertheless they were comfy) looked like somebody's sewed them together from leftover leather textiles. Lifts were just beside the cafe and people were coming and going all the time. It was more comfy at the back near the grand piano... The atmosphere: 0/10 What atmosphere? It was quite repulsive. Nevertheless they have an excellent whisky collection, you can't really enjoy it, especially when the music and voices are echoing from the walls. Maybe this place is better at summer time... TOTAL POINTS: 65/140 Cafe Simonkatu website The location of Cafe Simonkatu What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant 
TEERENPELI (Pub)(Olavinkatu 2) Evaluated: April 2008 MY POINTS AND VIEWS: Whisky collection: 40/100 Nevertheless there were only about 30 single malts I chose to put this pub to A-grade just because they offer that second Finnish single malt: Teerenpeli. The staff: 10/20 Good service by the staff on duty. They served the water in a proper jug and let me examine the bottles. The environment: 5/10 Modern style pub with nice details in the decoration (like Macallan bottles on the wall). The atmosphere: 5/10 Music wasn't too loud and it wasn't luckily hit pop songs coming out of the loudspeakers. Mellow feeling at the moment I was in. Tasty toasts if you're peckish. TOTAL POINTS: 60/140 Teerenpeli website The location of Teerenpeli (Kamppi) What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant |
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OLUTKELLARI HELSINKI (Pub)(Hallituskatu 3) Pub that also organizes tasting evenings... Evaluated: June 2008. MY POINTS AND VIEWS: Whisky collection: 40/100 Approximately 40 single malts. Totally about 50 whiskies. Lots of unusual bottles. The staff: 10/20 The staff on duty was very good. Whiskylist was available and the bartender let me examine the bottles and also sold smaller drams. Water was also served in a proper jug. The environment: 10/10 Brilliant pub environment. Nice tables and chairs and the decoration was awsome with lots of pictures of old Helsinki. The atmosphere: 10/10 Cozy. Music wasn't too loud. Very enjoyable. TOTAL POINTS: 70/140 Olutkellari Helsinki website The location of Olutkellari Helsinki What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant 
AMERICAN BAR (Cocktail Bar)(Hotel Torni, Kalevankatu 5) International cocktail bar. A combination of modern style and thirties. Evaluated August 2008. MY POINTS AND VIEWS: Whisky collection: 40/100 About 35 single malts. Total of about 50 different whiskies. Whiskylist available. The staff: 10/20 The staff on duty had a good whisky knowledge. They also let me examine the bottles. The environment: 5/10 Tati'ish environment. Modern/sophisticated. Background music was jazzy and nice. The atmosphere: 5/10 Ok atmosphere. A place to stop by. TOTAL POINTS: 60/140 American Bar website The location of American Bar What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant 
VILLI WÄINÖ (Pub)(Kalevankatu 4) Pub that has about 30 single malts. Evaluated October 2008. MY POINTS AND VIEWS: Whisky collection: 40/100 About 30 single malts available (Most expensive was Ardbeg Single Cask 1975, 100€/4cl). No whiskylist available. The staff: 0/20 Basic but friendly service. The staff on duty didn't have almost any knowledge of whiskies. They even asked me do I want ice with my single malt. What a horrible suggestion... The environment: 5/10 Nice environment. In two (or three, depending how you see it) storeys. Very straight-forward decoration. The atmosphere: 10/10 Very good atmosphere. Enjoyable. Lots of beer lovers having a good time. Very good collection of beers from Finnish breweries. TOTAL POINTS: 55/140 Villi Wäinö website The location of Villi Wäinö What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant 
MALTAINEN RIEKKO (Pub)(Aleksis Kiven Katu 56) Evaluated: March 2010 MY POINTS AND VIEWS: Whisky collection: 40/100 Approximately 40 single malts on the shelves. Quite a basic collection and no real rarities available - yet. The staff: 5/20 Basic service by the staff on duty but they served the water in a proper jug and let the customer to examine the bottles. The environment: 5/10 British style pub with a nice decoration. The atmosphere: 5/10 Music wasn't too loud and no list-hits from the loudspeakers (thank God for that). TOTAL POINTS: 55/140 Maltainen Riekko website The location of Maltainen Riekko What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant 
JANOINEN LOHI (Pub)(Linnankoskenkatu 12) Pub that has about 30 single malts. Evaluated July 2009. MY POINTS AND VIEWS: Whisky collection: 40/100 Approximately 30 single malts available. The staff: 5/20 Basic but very friendly service. The environment: 5/10 Nice pub environment. The atmosphere: 5/10 Good atmosphere. Enjoyable. TOTAL POINTS: 55/140 Janoinen Lohi website The location of Janoinen Lohi What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant 
AMIGO (Pub)(Tehtaankatu 12)  Evaluated June 2008. MY POINTS AND VIEWS: Whisky collection: 20/100 About 20 single malts. Total of about 25 whiskies. Also "Finnish Edition" of Port Ellen available. The staff: 10/20 The staff on duty had a better than average whisky knowledge. They also let me examine the bottles. The environment: 10/10 Nice environment. The atmosphere: 10/10 Very enjoyable atmosphere. Relaxed customers. El Salvadorian bartender Billy was very funny and I also tasted his brilliant invention: Chili-Koskenkorva* which was very hot and tasty. Make sure you take tomato juice with it. That makes the burn cool down. (*Koskenkorva is the so called national alcohol drink in Finland. Nickname: Kossu). TOTAL POINTS: 50/140 Amigo website The location of Ravintola Amigo What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant 
WILLIAM K - MANNERHEIMINTIE (Pub)(Mannerheimintie 72) Re-evaluated: August 2009. MY POINTS AND VIEWS: Whisky collection: 20/100 Approximately 20 single malts available. Collection contains e.g. Bruichladdich 20 yo and Royal Brackla's Mackillop's choice single cask 1976 (cask 6916, bottle #057) The staff: 5/20 The staff on duty was helpful and let me examine the bottles. The environment: 10/10 A cosy British style pub. Nice table cloths. The atmosphere: 10/10 Good relaxed atmosphere. TOTAL POINTS: 45/140 William K website The location of William K (Mannerheimintie) What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant 
KITTY'S PUBLIC HOUSE (Pub)(Keskuskatu 6) Beer pub where you can find real ale and also about 20 whiskies. Re-evaluated: October 2008. MY POINTS AND VIEWS: Whisky collection: 20/100 About 20 single malts available. Collection contains e.g. Glen Elgin Mackillop's Choice 1974. The staff: 5/20 Basic knowledge of the whiskies by the staff on duty. No whiskylist but they let me examine the bottles which was nice. The environment: 10/10 British style pub with some nice aspects (like beautiful chairs, a "fireplace", pictures on the wall etc.) The atmosphere: 5/10 Busy pub atmosphere but still quite nice feeling. TOTAL POINTS: 40/140 Kitty's Public House website The location of Kitty's Public House What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant 
WILLIAM K - ANNANKATU (Pub)(Annankatu 3) Evaluated August 2008. MY POINTS AND VIEWS: Whisky collection: 20/100 Approximately 25 single malts available. The staff: 5/20 Basic service by the on duty staff members. The environment: 10/10 Like other Willim K's they also have nice table cloths. Traditional British pub style. The atmosphere: 5/10 Basic atmosphere. TOTAL POINTS: 40/120 William K - Annankatu website The location of William K (Annankatu) What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant 
GROTESKI (Cocktail Bar)(Ludviginkatu 10) Evaluated: May 2008. MY POINTS AND VIEWS: Whisky collection: 40/100 About 20 Scottish whiskies. Total amount is approximately 35 whiskies. The staff: 5/20 Basic service by the staff on duty. The environment: 0/10 Quite unpleasant environment. Too modern for me. Cold. The wooden ceiling was very nice. The atmosphere: 0/10 Hard to tell because everybody was outside at the terrace because it was a very warm summer day. TOTAL POINTS: 45/140 Groteski website The location of Groteski What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant 
HILPEÄ HAUKI (Pub)(Vaasankatu 7) Evaluated: February 2008. MY POINTS AND VIEWS: Whisky collection: 20/100 About 15 whiskies available. The staff: 10/20 Very helpful, kind and friendly service by staff on duty. They also let me examine the bottles. The environment: 0/10 Very basic pub (the area behind the desk was nice with books and decorations). The atmosphere: 5/10 Okay, basic pub atmosphere. TOTAL POINTS: 35/140 Hilpeä Hauki website The location of Hilpeä Hauki What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant 
O'MALLEY'S (Pub)(Hotel Torni, Yrjönkatu 26) The first Irish Pub in Finland (since 1981). Evaluated: March 2008. MY POINTS AND VIEWS: Whisky collection: 20/100 About 15 whiskies available. The staff: 10/20 Good service by the staff on duty. It was a positive surprise to see the nosing glass with a lid on. The environment: 0/10 Basic Irish style pub. The atmosphere: 5/10 Hard to tell because I was there early in the afternoon, so it was quite quiet at the moment. Music wasn't too loud. TOTAL POINTS: 35/140 O'Malley's website The location of O'Malley's What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant 
WILLIAM K - KURVI (Pub)(Helsinginkatu 2) Evaluated: February 2008. MY POINTS AND VIEWS: Whisky collection: 20/100 Approximately 15 single malts available. The staff: 5/20 Basic service by the on duty staff members. The environment: 5/10 Like other Willim K's they also have nice table cloths. This pub has a very twenties style interior, not so much as a traditional pub. The atmosphere: 5/10 Basic atmosphere. TOTAL POINTS: 35/140 William K - Kurvi website The location of William K (Kurvi) What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant 
WILLIAM K - TENNISPALATSI (Pub)(Fredrikinkatu 65) Same kind of collection like in other William K restaurants. Evaluated: April 2008. MY POINTS AND VIEWS: Whisky collection: 20/100 Approximately 15 single malts available. Collection contains e.g. Bruichladdich 20 yo. The staff: 5/20 The staff on duty was basic. The environment: 5/10 A nice pub with nice table cloths. The atmosphere: 5/10 Good relaxed atmosphere but music was too loud. TOTAL POINTS: 35/140 William K - Tennispalatsi website The location of William K (Tennispalatsi) What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant 
ANGLETERRE (Pub)(Fredrikinkatu 47) The oldest British style beer pub in Helsinki (since 1976). Good basic collection of single malts. Evaluated: November 2007. MY POINTS AND VIEWS: Whisky collection: 20/100 About 20 basic single malts. The staff: 5/20 On duty was a hectic bartender. The environment: 5/10 Basic British style pub but had three dartboards for pub activity. The atmosphere: 0/10 Very basic Finnish bar feeling. TOTAL POINTS: 30/140 Angleterre website The location of Angleterre What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant 
ST. URHO'S PUB (Pub)(Museokatu 10) The oldest beer pub in Helsinki (since 1973). Evaluated: February 2008. MY POINTS AND VIEWS: Whisky collection: 20/100 About 15 whiskies available (Eilan Gillan, Sheep Dip and Finnish edition of Port Ellen also available). The staff: 5/20 Basic service by the staff on duty. No whiskylist available. Bartender let me examine the bottles. The environment: 0/10 Very basic decoration. The booths were nice. The atmosphere: 0/10 Was like a basic Finnish bar. TOTAL POINTS: 25/120 St. Urho's Pub website The location of St. Urho's Pub What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant 
HOTEL GRAND MARINA (Cafe)(Katajanokanlaituri 7) Lounge bar of Hotel Grand Marina. Evaluated: August 2009. MY POINTS AND VIEWS: Whisky collection: 20/100 Approximately 15 single malts available (e.g. Port Ellen & Glenmorangie 25 YO available). The staff: 5/20 Basic service by the staff on duty. The environment: 0/10 Hotel lounge bar, so quite cold environment. The atmosphere: 0/10 TOTAL POINTS: 25/120 Hotel Grand Marina website The location of Hotel Grand Marina What Whisky Forum members think about this restaurant |
