The Wise Old Dog

Great liquor store. The owners and staff really make an effort to get to know you and what your alcohol preferences are. I’ve received several helpful suggestions from them, with more sure to come.

Oh Wise Old Dog,
How do I love thee?
Let me count the ways.
1. The knowledge and service is impeccable. You can always count on Jacob to pinpoint a fabulous wine, beer or scotch for whatever meal/​event you are attending.
2. The atmosphere is what I would describe «Friday at 5 PM» feels like. Beautiful and fun painted windows on the outside, while the inside is a cozy and clean store that frequently plays movies on a big screen TV behind the register, or classic rock from the speakers overhead.
3. The employees treat you like family and are always happy to assist their customers by carrying bags to their car.
4. The loyalty and pride that the Wise Old Dog has for not only their store, but other local businesses is what makes this shop so special. Every Friday a local brewery or winery is featured to promote and teach the customers about their product and how it’s made. I never leave empty handed (thanks Jacob…) but couldn’t be happier to support this local business!
I could go on and on but you must experience it for yourself!

These guys redefine what liquor store should be. The staff is happy to work there in it shows in every interaction with their costumers. They are helpful, engaging, and funny. Their location is convenient and the selection is great for a store of their size.
I highly recommend them!

If you’re looking for a strong selection of wines, spirits and beers — this is your place. Jacob and his team knows their stuff, it’s worth the trip. They have adorable hand-​written tags on some of their products that serve as recommendations — I thoroughly appreciate this detail. Prices are competitive to other liquor stores that sell similar brands.

Small space, but packed with options and a staff full of information willing to share. I was surprised by the bourbon options and a great selection of wines. Maximum beverage has gone down hill so I gave them a try. I will be shopping here going forward.

This is the best liquor store I have ever been to. It is more than a package store, they give you professional and friendly advice on what you are looking for. The owners Ally and Jacob are absolutely some of the warmest and most sincere people I know dedicated to enriching their community. They also offer boutique wines and specialty whiskeys. Check this place out and you won’t help, but to keep going back.

Wow, I wish this spot was my local liquor store. Even though it’s smaller than most discount places, their beer selection is top notch, and the prices are still competitive. They had some beers I haven’t seen at some of the «magnum» type stores. They’re also able to pack in a small but unique selection of wines.
The people here are friendly and offered some great advice around beer and a bottle o’ bubbly. I look forward to coming back!

Found this gem from other Unilocal reviews and boy, am I glad I checked it out! As other people mentioned, it is on the small side, but their selection is strong. I needed help picking out a tequila for my recent margarita obsession and the owner was able to give me a lesson on tequila and help me pick a new brand to try. It was great that they are so knowledgable and willing to help you find what you want. This will be my go to place from now on! If you want knowledgeable staff, a good variety of selection and the opportunity to try up and coming brands, check it out!

You know what’s great about this place? Everything. When I want something a little extra special, or have a specific taste in mind and don’t know what exactly to buy, this is where I go. Jacob, the friendly and funny owner, has a wealth of knowledge about the products he carries, and he and the other staff have given me excellent recommendations and info every time. If you go in on a Friday evening to get stocked up for the weekend, you will most likely be handed a sample of wine/​beer/​booze as you shop. I really appreciate the high level of service that comes with each visit to the Wise Old Dog, and one if these days I’m going to have to join for one of the tasting classes they hold. Yay!

This place is my favorite/​my fiancée’s liquor store in the Hartford area. Jacob, Allie and Jack are great and always willing to help you find exactly what you’re looking for, at a great price. I also think it’s awesome that they have a great selection of wines that are easy in your wallet and taste great! Their Scotch/​Whiskey/​Bourbon selection is amazing as well!

Wise Old Dog has become my go to in West Hartford. They utilize a relatively small space very efficiently. Excellent selection across the board. Prices are in line with ‘discount’ liquor stores. They turn over product quickly so beer freshness is never a concern (something I obsess over because I drink a lot of hoppy beers.) Top notch whisk (e)y, bourbon, rye, scotch selection.
Staff is very knowledgable, friendly, and consistent. Tell Jacob what you like, or what you’re cooking for dinner, or what mood you’re in that day and he’ll give you a range of options. Jack has gotten to know my beer tastes and makes recommendations every time I go.
Get on the email list. Fun free tastings and Cellar School classes.

A great place for scotch and other whiskey. A good selection of bitters, vermouth, and mixers. Small but quality wine selections. Worth a drive to get here. Knowledgeable staff and good parking.

Stopped in to The Wise Old Dog today to pick up some RIPE Bloody Mary Bar Juice, as they were the closest purveyor in the area.
I was pleasantly surprised that this tiny package store carried such a great variety of vodkas, rums, and tequilas. They guys working were very helpful, and able to tell us which spirits were made locally and which would mesh best with the mixers we were purchasing.
The Wise Old Dog also carries and excellent selection of bitters, for you prohibition-​style cocktail lovers. I was really pumped to see this!
If you’re looking for a wonderful selection of spirits from which to replenish your at-​home bar, The Wise Old Dog should absolutely be your first stop.

Jacob is fantastic –extremely helpful. tiny store but the selection for their size is incredible. i’m a beer guy and they will let me know everything they know about availability, and are fair with their prices. Wise Old Dog ROCKS.

Wow. How have I not been here before? Jacob, the owner, is helpful, passionate and altogether a joy to chat with about beer, wine and whisky. He even pointed me to a nice collection of sample-​size cocktail bitters to play around with (just $ 20 for 5 bottles). They’ve also got a nice representation of Japanese whiskey!
This store is perhaps West Hartford’s greatest secret. Take a peek at the class schedule ranging from $ 8 – 12 per person (in addition to free tastings!). Overall a total delight with high end selections while eliminating all the junk.

Checked this place out today based on the great reviews, and I was not disappointed. At first I was skeptical because the beer section is fairly small, but they use the space very well and offer an impressive selection of rare craft beers. The staff is very knowledgeable and eager to help. Good prices.

Out of all the liquor stores in West Hartford, this is, hands down, my favorite.
Intimate boutique setting with a mind blowing selection. It’s not huge but there’s an extremely high ratio of quality whisky to mediocre stuff here. The prices are boutique prices, slightly elevated, but all very fair. No price gouging here like the guys across town giving you «maximum bullshit».
Even better, the owner Jacob will talk your ears bloody about anything alcohol related. I like to pick at the liquor managers’ brains whenever I check out a new packy and unlike most of the chumps I find running these operations, this guy really knows his stuff and his passion for it oozes from every pore as he scrambles to make sure he’s helping everyone he can. He’s tried every bottle he sells and will give you very candid opinions if you want them. He’s even up to date on the legal aspects and standards of identity for all the different classes of liquor which is crazy. I can’t speak highly enough about this guy.
Just hang out on a Friday evening when he’s offering tastings of his new products and you’ll see a very loyal following pour through his doors. He knows everyone on a first name basis. If you’re looking for help buying a gift or just want to support someone making the liquor scene better, this is the goto guy.

These guys are a blessing to all the drinkers in West Hartford…
Jacob, Jack & Quinn deliver on customer service and friendly prices, which a lot of the area boutique stores fail to do. The knowledge and the advice they impart to the novice or those asking is beyond reproach. The «Cellar School» events that they hold (basically beer/​liquor/​wine classes & tastings) are really fun & informative with absolutely no pressure to buy. You also get a crystal Reidel glass to go home with!!!
No matter what your potent potable of choice happens to be, the fellas at the Wise Old Dog will have you covered & your wallet will be sure to appreciate it.

One world, it’s a battleground
One world, and we will smash it down
So, going from point a to point b, this Wise Old Dog crossed my path. it looked like a remake of the little neighborhood wine store but there were a few beer neons in the windows so i made my way into that parking lot to peruse the coolers.
beer guy was very friendly and after talking a while he maybe gets to know what you are looking for and might like and make some suggestions. i picked up some of that 961 beer from lebanon and it is one of my current favorites. the selection here isn’t really that big, but it is very diverse and the guy knows what he has. he could probably talk about beer all day.

I love this place! Growlers of Back East, delicious selection of 6 packs including offerings from Breckenridge Brewery in VT and other treats. Southern Tier, Blue Point, Lagunitas, etc. the guys who work here are also really nice and very willing to help. Been here twice and it’s already becoming a favorite.
I prefer it even to Harvest on Farmington actually even though it has less shelf space.
Love their logo.