Whisky Situation Aberdeen Review: 600+ Whiskies & Cigar Bar
Whisky Situation Aberdeen Review: Over 600 Whiskies & A Proper Drams Bar
Aberdeen is often used as a transit hub on the way into Speyside or the Highlands, but if you love whisky, the city has a fantastic drinks scene of its own.
Tucked away on Stirling Street, just a couple of minutes from the train station, sits Whisky Situation.
I stopped by for a dram, and this is a proper whisky bar—not the kind of place that just sets out a dozen generic bottles for display. Their shelves are packed with more than 600 open bottles covering Scotland and world spirits, they have an outdoor space for cigar pairings, and the team behind the bar genuinely know what they are pouring.
If you find yourself in the Granite City looking for a serious dram, here is my honest review of what the bar is like inside and what to expect.
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The Selection: Over 600 Open Bottles
Walking up to the bar, the sheer variety on the shelves immediately catches your attention.
True to their word, they carry over 600 open bottles available by the dram. The selection covers everything from accessible entry-level single malts to rare single-cask independent bottlings, older age statements, and world whiskies.
Because the range is so extensive, you never feel forced into the standard supermarket line-up. Whether you want an obscure peated Islay cask, an older Speyside release, or an emerging world malt, there is almost certainly a bottle on the shelf waiting for you.
Knowledgeable Staff & Unpretentious Vibes
Sometimes bars with huge bottle collections can feel a bit elitist or intimidating. Whisky Situation is the exact opposite.
The staff are warm, welcoming, and WSET-trained, meaning they actually understand flavour profiles, cask influences, and production methods rather than just pointing you toward the most expensive bottle.
If you aren't completely sure what you want, you can simply describe the flavours you enjoy—whether that's tropical esters, heavy sherry, or coastal smoke—and they will pull down two or three bottles to talk through. It feels relaxed, informal, and conversational.
Cigars & The Outdoor Terrace
Another unique feature that sets Whisky Situation apart from a standard pub is their cigar offering.
They stock a dedicated humidor selection of Cuban and New World cigars. Just outside, they have a comfortable outdoor area where you can sit, relax, and smoke while enjoying your pour. Finding a central spot that accommodates cigar pairings with quality spirits is increasingly rare, so having a designated outdoor setup makes it a great venue for an unhurried evening.
Practical Info: Location & Getting There
Address: 7 Stirling Street, Aberdeen, AB11 6ND.
Getting There: It sits right in the city centre, roughly a 2-minute walk from Aberdeen Railway Station and Union Square, making it an easy stop before or after a train journey.
Pet Friendly: Dogs are welcome inside the bar.
Food: The bar focuses squarely on whisky, craft beer, and cigars, so grab a meal in town beforehand or plan to head out for dinner after your session.
Final Verdict: Is It Worth a Visit?
If you are passing through Aberdeen and want to explore exceptional drams in a cosy, unpretentious setting, Whisky Situation is well worth seeking out. Between the 600+ bottle back bar, staff who love talking about spirits, it is easily one of the best whisky stops in northeast Scotland.
Have you visited Whisky Situation in Aberdeen, or do you have a favourite whisky bar in Scotland? Let me know in the comments below!
I hope life is treating you well.
Take care
