Burger Wars Episode LXXXV: The Attack of the Wookie or Bear [BurgeReview]

I also got Astounding Bear Attacks

Cosmo Kramer (Seinfeld episode “The Andrea Doria”)

Burger Bear is an acclaimed burger pop up and stall vendor. In the past winner of burger Monday championship, and these days everyone waiting for the opening of his roof in Shoreditch after a successful kickstarter campaign. Not too easy to catch Tom Reany, but after months of continuously checking his whereabouts finally he went to a decent central place for #bbqbootcamp in Southbank.

Burger Monkey Bear Menu

The burger a special one with collaboration from Monkey Shoulder whisky. American cheese, crispy double smoked bacon, and Monkey bacon jam.

Burger Time

The verdict, just superb. The burger was amazing, I don't like too much sweet twists but the bacon jam was extremely good

The damage, 8.50 quid for the special, no fries no whisky

The conclusion, Tom’s burgers are great. Highly recommended, they are big and full of flavours. Everything perfectly executed for a flawless burger. I will give the Bear a solid 9 over 10

Burger Bear

T: 078 0590 3779

Burger Joint / Street Vendor

Approx Damage: £9pp

Different Locations

London

Twitter: burgerbeartom

---

---

Show me the way to the next whisky bar [On The Road: Edinburgh]

Well the sex was okay, but I threw up from the Hennigans 

George Costanza (Seinfeld episode “The Red Dot”) 

If you are in Scotland you have to go on a whisky trial. Due to the fact that the closest operating distillery is an hour away from Edinburgh and I visited already in 2003, we decided to do a whisky bar crawl in Edinburgh to compensate. Below the highlights of our pilgrimage. 

The Unexpected One 

You will never guess that in the middle of the royal mile surrounded by tourist is this hidden gem. To get to Monteiths you just need to pass through an alley/close to get to the basement bar. A dark, modern, and fun place with a petite selection of whiskies. The highlight Balvenie double wood (Speyside) and Springbank (Campbeltown). 

Alley

Whisky Time

We also tried some nibbles, including the traditional Haggis, really nice, great execution. Just make sure you're relax and not on a rush as the service is terrible, we were ignored most of the evening. Good whisky, nice food, terrible service. 

Haggis Time

Monteiths
T: 0131 557 0330
Bar & Restaurant
Twitter: Monteithsclose



The Almost Chain on the Mile 

Whiski Bar has two locations, the original one is on the Mile. Pub style, wore wood, stag heads, live music every night, and good selection of whiskies, at least over 300. The Highlights a Glendiffich Solera 15 years (Speyside) and the Lagavulin 16 years (Islay) 

Whiski Bar

Whiski Bar
T: 0131 556 3095
Pub & Bar
Twitter: Whiskibar



The Modern One 

The Inn on the Mile is another option off course on the Mile. A modern bar part of the hotel, packed and noisy, fast paced, and great vibes. The highlight was the recommendation from the bartender, Auchentoshan three wood (Lowland). 

The bar decor

The Inn on the Mile
T: 0131 556 9940
Bar & Restaurant
Twitter: TheInnOnTheMile



The Pub One 

The Bow Bar is another lovely pub style bar on W Bow almost getting into Grassmarket, more cozy and traditional. Classic décor, real ales also if you’re tired of whiskies but as we weren’t we enjoyed their vast selection of single malts. The highlight was a Benriach 15 years with dark rum finish (Speyside) 

Decisions

We now must say goodbye

The Bow Bar
T: 0131 226 7667
Pub
Twitter: bow_bar



The Cathedral One 

The Oxford Bar is a small, full of character place, probably an institution in Edinburgh. Watering hole on Young Street in New Town. Small bar at the front full of locals having a pint and some tables at the back. The highlight Aberlour 10 years (Speyside) 

The institution

The Oxford Bar
T: 0131 539 7119
Pub


The Other Pub 

The Black Cat is another pub with nice selection of whiskies, no list but you can have a peak at the bar, and make your selection or the bartender can point you in the right direction to help your choice. Traditional pub décor, modern vibe if compared with Ox. The highlight Glenfarclas 20 years (Speyside) 

Black Cat Time

The Black Cat
T: 0131 225 3349
Pub
Twitter: theblackcatbar



The Other Room 

Whiski Rooms is the other place from Whiski Bar. Opposite to the one in the Mile this one is a modern bar, also it has a dedicated shop. Same vast selection of whiskies. The highlight Robert Burns 12 years (Islands) strong and in your face, and Lochside 91 (Highlands). 

Last call

We got some nice nibbles here, I would recommend to get the haggis roles to try something different.

Whiski Rooms
T: 0131 225 7224
Bar
Twitter: whiskirooms

Edinburgh
Scotland

---

---

Show me the way to the next Whisky Bar [On The Road: Aberdeen]

That is damn good scotch. I could do a commercial for this stuff. Mmmmm, boy that Hennigans goes down smooth. And afterwards you don't even smell. That's right folks. I just had three shots of Hennigans and I don't smell. Imagine, you can walk around drunk all day. That's Hennigans, the no-smell, no-tell scotch 

Cosmo Kramer (Seinfeld episode “The Red Dot”) 

I had to go to Aberdeen for work but that didn’t stop me to try a couple specialities in the area. As a Venezuelan I’m a whisky lover, that’s probably one of the most popular spirits there. So a trip to a traditional whisky pub/bar was in my itinerary. 

Some of the bottles

A colleague took me to The Grill. Originally a restaurant that opened in 1870, these days a family owned traditional pub recognised as Whisky Embassy. Unchanged since 1926, a long bar with some boots creating an unique standing pub, full of testosterone. Women weren't served until 1975 and the place didn't even have a women toilet until 1998. You will find a vast selection of whiskies including more than 600. 

The Grill

I got to the place and it was paradise, all these bottles of great whisky from every region of Scotland, single malts, blends, name it. I took the task of trying some of each region. Started with a Speyside Malt, a Balvenie Signature, nice flavour, strong, the tasting notes indicated some oranges and lots of honey. 

Whisky Time

Then moved to the Highlands to try a Glen Garioch, full body with light smoke flavour, add to that some fruity touch of pears mixed well with vanilla and butterscotch. 

Nice and Neat

I ended with Islands Malts trying a Isle of Jura with Barolo cask finish. Quite intense due to the wine cask finish, some spices, maybe even coffee.

Amazing experience I could have stayed all day trying different whiskies. If you’re in Aberdeen The Grill is a must.

The Grill

T: 012 2457 3530

Whisky Bar

Aberdeen

Twitter: GrillAberdeen

---

View Larger Map

---