Malted Shopping Guide #4: Robert Graham (Whisky & Cigars)

While walking down the world-famous Royal Mile in Edinburgh towards Holyrood, there’s a wee shop you shouldn’t miss, located on the Canongate part of the Mile (254), just in front of the utterly tasty Wedgewood Restaurant: Robert Graham. In fact, all of their 5 UK stores are well worth a stop!

Robert Graham is one of the oldest whisky and tobacco merchants in the UK (and I know many of you around here also enjoy a cigar with their dram!). The company was founded in 1874 in Glasgow and since then has served customers in Scotland and all over the world with 5 physical stores and a recently-redesigned online shop.

Founded back in 1874 in the flourishing trade centre of Glasgow, the original Robert Graham was at one time Treasurer of the city and owner of 20 shops here. He was eventually knighted for his services to Glasgow.

The business has changed hands over the years but still prides itself on traditional service married with a fresh and innovative approach.

Rare whiskies, independent bottlings, Robert Graham exclusive specials and fine, hand-rolled cigars from both Havana and the New World – beautifully kept and presented – are always offered with friendly, expert advice where needed.

In 2003 Robert Graham bottled its first whisky: Rosebank 11 years old. Since then, they have developed an impressive collection of casks and are always actively looking for new opportunities. “We taste our whiskies regularly to decide whether they are ready to be bottled. We must do something right as almost every single release of Robert Graham independent bottling is praised by industry experts and consumers.” (pssst! have you seen this extensive awards list?!)

Robert Graham’s core range consist of Ailein Mor from The Highlands, Hoebeg from Islay and Cearban – a blended malt.

The Dancing Stag range includes a selection of the finest single malts bottled at 46%ABV [I would personaly highly recommend the Benrinnes 1988 ;)] while The Treasurer Collection is a carefully selected range of rare and collectible whiskies always bottled at cask strength (if you’ve already gone through my “summer favourites” article, you must have noticed I picked 2 expressions from this collection: Highland Park 25 & Invergordon 1984 30 years old).