The Whisky Exchange

How had I never heard of this place before?!! I wanted to show my friend a place to buy whiskey and after a few minutes investigating online I heard of this. It’s placed inside Vinopolis which is famed for their extensive wine range.
The Whiskey Exchange had such a good variety (apparently it’s one of the largest) that we stayed for over an hour and half chatting to the knowledgable staff and trying samples. If you ever need a query don’t hesitate to go here!

As a first time visitor to the Whisky Exchange I’m left with mixed feelings. On the one hand, yes, they have a fine selection of the stuff, there’s no doubt about that. On the negative side, the staff member who served me was quite rude and made me feel pretty uncomfortable. I was asking for advice on a bottle for a friend’s birthday, and looking to spend around £100. My inquiries to this person were met with marginally-​better-​than-​indifferent responses, as if it were slightly beneath her to really bother informing me about my options.
Persisting in getting any information, opinions or assistance out of this person was proving a chore but I needed the help so I hung in there. After an embarrassingly stilted couple of minutes it emerged that it was possible to sample a couple of the drams she’d been talking about. I sampled them and eventually made my choice. At the last minute, I almost changed my mind and plumped for the other one. I asked if I might sample the two whiskies in question again and was met with the reply, ‘no, not really.’ An awkward silence. Eventually she relented: ‘I could let you sniff them both again.’ I declined this generous offer and stuck with my first choice, leaving the store with an £80 bottle of whisky that I look forward to presenting to my friend at his party this weekend.
OK. Big deal, right? I got what I was after, didn’t I? So why give the store such a low mark? Well, it was just *such* a bad bedside manner. It’s not a nice feeling to be treated so shabbily. I was made to feel throughout that I wasn’t a serious enough customer to warrant care and attention. Perhaps I wasn’t spending enough — whilst £80/£100 is a nice sum of money it’s nothing in the wider world of whisky, after all. Perhaps the woman who served me thought I was just there to sample as much free whisky as possible and then do a runner without buying anything. That’s how she made me feel, I’m afraid. Like I was putting on an elaborate charade in order to sample two or three *minute* sips of better than average booze.
I left the store with what I came for, but despondent and feeling like an idiot. I’m a whisky drinker myself but basically a beginner. I was looking for a little guidance and education, a little context, a little enthusiasm. I was met with disrespect and even low-​grade suspicion. I believe that any customer should be treated respectfully, regardless of their level of expertise and budget. On this evidence the Whisky Exchange don’t share that belief.
Milroy’s of Soho are currently refurbishing their shop. They’ll be re-​opening a month or two from now. I think I’ll try them next time as this experience left a bad taste in my mouth.

Great selection. Can’t say that enough. However, be forewarned that they don’t carry much of what is on the website in the store. Store prices are also much higher than the online prices. The online store is amazing but the retail space was a bit disappointing. Customer service in the store was good.

Trying to find a Jamaican Rum that is not sold in the United States. Came across this website that carries it. Great customer service from start to finish. Made purchase March 28, received merchandise by April 2^nd. Thanks Whiskey Exchange.

Excellent! Speedy! Perfect packaging and coms! Great range of whisky! Also, great: Baileys Hazelnut Flavour Cream Liqueur, Major Pistacchino Pistachio Liqueur, Tequila Rose Strawberry Cream Liqueur and Nuvo Sparkling Vodka Liqueur.

One word: AMAZING
I always find myself trolling through the Whisky Exchange website dreaming about drams that are out of my price range. When my wife and I planned our recent trip to the UK I was thrilled to see that they have an actual brick and mortar shop situated within Vinopolis. I immediately called them up to see if they had some rare scotch in house (a ’76 and an ’82). They did not, but promised they would have them delivered within 48 hours. Perfect!
Fast forward a week and there I was… walking through Borough Market headed towards the Whisky Exchange. While the construction in the area made finding the entrance a bit confusing, I eventually made my way into the Valhalla of scotch drinkers.
They had my items ready, helped me with the tax-​free shopping (which ultimately turned into a waste of time, but that’s not on them, that’s on the tax refund bastards!), and were a joy to work with.
What can I say. This is THE place to buy whisk (e)y!

I absolutely love this place, it situated in the vinopolis by Borough Market, so you have to enter via Laithwaites or the front entrance to the vinopolis. There selection of whiskys is quite amazing, they specialize in Scotch, but have a wide selection of whiskys from all over the globe, and they don’t just stop there, you can get a good selection of other spirits to, rum, tequila, vodka, you name it, they have it. They also hold taster evenings which are very good, i went to a bourbon one and it was very interesting, plus you got to knock back some very fine bourbons to, so keep a eye out for those, you can sign up to there news letter on there blog page.

I’m a big fan of American bourbons and this is without a doubt the best shop in the entire country for both bourbons and single malts.
I find their prices to be very competitive and the staff are both well informed and happy to assist.

I was enticed into shopping here after my fabulous encounter at the Rum Experience. The company name is an understatement as it’s way more than a whisky emporium. It was my new-​found affection for a specialist rum that drew me in. The range of rums is almost overwhelming, with prices from around £14 to a mind-​boggling £1500.
I came away with the deliciously warm and aromatic Guyanese XM exponent I’d been seeking, at £18.99. Staff were helpful and patient in spite of their busy-​ness. I discovered another bottle I’d been considering (Angostura 1919) at my local Waitrose, a few days later, at a slightly lower price than was offered here. So, it might be worth your while shopping-​around, before you buy, if you have the luxury of time and are counting the pennies. Although, for choice and hard-​to-​find items, their offering is hard-​to-​beat.

If there is a better whisky shop in London, I haven’t found it. They have recently expanded so that means more whisky goodness is available. A wide selection and good prices keep me coming back.
I also like how the location is near the Borough Market allowing me to go there for fresh veg and groceries, than the Whisky Exchange for essentials.

A fantastic shop, superb range of whisky that can be very hard to find anywhere.
Duncan the manager is incredibly knowledgle about whisky and is very good at giving advice on suitable whiskies for you.
The best whisky shop in London.

Even if you just enjoy an occasional dram of whisky this venue is still for you. On the other hand if you live and breathe whisky then this will be an Eden! Its run by two brothers Sukhinder and Rajbir Singh. It could take you two hours of browsing because it has a vast library of whisky. But the brothers are on hand to give you top info.