Amsterdam, a city known for its historical significance, picturesque canals, and stunning buildings, also has a secret treasure tucked away in its narrow alleys. Welcome to The Vault Bar, hidden away in the venerable Waldorf Astoria, where exotic whiskies resonating with the voices of eons past await your discovery.
Where It Is and How It Got Here
The Vault Bar, located in what was once a working bank vault, is home to not only rare scotch but also an interesting piece of Amsterdam’s past. The fortifications presently protecting the city’s liquid gold formerly protected the wealth of the city’s elite. The atmosphere pays homage to the building’s previous life by being mysterious and exclusive.
After moving from a vault to a bar, he told the chief barman, “The transition was natural.” Gold and golden scotch both keep their worth over time. With every sip, our guests are discovering a piece of the past.
A Rare Assortment
If the walls of The Vault Bar could talk, they would tell tales of expertise, history, and fervor. It’s an amazing and uncommon collection hand-picked by experts. Names like The Dalmore 40-Year-Old Single Malt, Port Ellen 39-Year Untold Stories, and others are enough to make the heart of any whisky aficionado beat a little faster.
The magic of these whiskies is rarely shared with the general public since they are kept hidden in the private collections of whisky aficionados. However, The Vault Bar deviates from the mold. It’s like getting a small taste, a sneak peek, a common experience of something extraordinary.
For example, the Dalmore 40-Year-Old Single Malt, which is aged in hand-picked American white oak casks, presents a plethora of flavor possibilities. What gives it its distinctive character is not just its long history, but also the expertise of its makers and the precision of its production method. Here are a few more examples of what you will find in The Vault Bar’s exquisite collection of rare Scotch whiskies:
Glenfiddich 40-Year-Old: A symbol of true craftsmanship, this whisky undergoes a unique marrying process. Left to rest in a specially selected cask for a period, it develops an intriguing blend of flavors, delivering warm spice and a touch of floral notes.
Bowmore 1966 50-Year-Old: This Islay classic is one of Bowmore’s most sought-after releases. Known for its fragrant nose and stunning balance of flavors, it carries a profound taste of tropical fruit coupled with that distinctive Islay smoke.
Highland Park 50-Year-Old: Hailing from Orkney, this exquisite whisky offers a rich tapestry of flavors. With a limited number of bottles released, its notes of ripe black cherries, Muscovado sugar, and complex spices are not to be missed.
The Glenlivet Winchester Collection Vintage 1966: Part of a very limited edition, this whisky is named after The Glenlivet’s master distiller, Alan Winchester. Aged in an American oak cask, it unveils a luxurious melody of dark chocolate, treacle, and soft fruits.
The Macallan Sherry Oak 30 Years Old: Aged in sherry-seasoned oak casks, this whisky is celebrated for its lush richness. The time spent in the barrels imbues it with a deep gold color and complex notes of fig, citrus, and spice.
Brora 40-Year-Old: A rarity from a ‘ghost distillery’, this whisky is renowned for its gentle smoke and waxy character. Its flavors encapsulate hints of sea salt, pepper, citrus, and a lingering herbal finish.
Mortlach 47-Year-Old: A single cask release from Mortlach, known as the ‘Beast of Dufftown,’ this whisky is both rare and impressive. It offers a complex palate of dark chocolate, dried fruits, and oriental spices.
Springbank 50-Year-Old: Crafted in the Campbeltown region, this whisky exhibits an array of flavors ranging from tropical fruits to salted caramel, framed by the distillery’s characteristic oily texture and a hint of peat.
Glenury Royal 50-Year-Old: One of the rare releases from a now-closed distillery, this whisky carries the elegance of the time. With subtle notes of dried fruit, nuts, and a gentle touch of smoke, it’s a smooth and graceful dram.
Talisker 40-Year-Old: From the rugged Isle of Skye, this mature Talisker offers a symphony of maritime notes mixed with rich fruits and smoky undertones. It’s a true representation of its place of origin.
In the setting of The Vault Bar, each of these whiskies takes on a life of its own. They are not just distilled spirits; they are stories captured in glass, awaiting the discerning palate that seeks to explore the roads less traveled in the world of Scotch whisky.
An Experience to Never Forget
The Vault Bar’s flight tastings are a sensory adventure fit for both seasoned connoisseurs and novices alike. Whiskies from the same location or distillery, displayed side by side, offer both whisky experts and newcomers a chance to explore the spirit’s wide range of flavors and aromas. Recently, a guest who sampled a flight of The Dalmore whiskies remarked, “It was more than a sampling. It was like striking up a conversation with tradition, artistry, and culture. With the help of the personnel, it was not only fun but also educational.
The Ghost Distillery
However, the Port Ellen Untold Stories collection stands out among the rare scotches as a tangible representation of frozen time. The Vault Bar is home to 1,500 bottles of the distillery’s 39-year-old whisky, which represents the distillery’s legacy.
“The Port Ellen is more than a drink; it’s a legend,” the bar manager at The Vault said of the famed whisky they carry. And our packaging, which looks like a safe, locks with two separate keys, is virtually a metaphor for what we stand for.
The Vault Bar’s Bartenders
At The Vault Bar, it’s not only the beverages that make the experience memorable; it’s the bartenders. With the support of the staff’s expertise, guests can discover not only what they like but also what truly speaks to them throughout the tasting.
“We don’t just serve whisky; we help people discover it,” said one of the bartenders. It’s all about finding the correct scotch for the right person and leaving a lasting impression.
The Vault Bar is more than just a watering hole; it’s an active homage to whisky history. The opportunity to sample beverages that are normally reserved for private collections is made available, letting a wider audience appreciate the skill and history behind these unique libations. For those who value the finest things in life, a trip to The Vault Bar is about more than just relaxation and fun. It’s where memories are poured out, one by one from the past.
