Fantastique, incroyable, formidable.. simply put, whisky pub is dram good

Stepping off the train at Waverley, Pub Spy could have been in Paris rather than Edinburgh judging by the number of French people in the capital.

Bien sur… Scotland had played host to France in the Six Nations rugby tournament the day before and the hangover from their 32-26 defeat wasn’t stopping them from continuing the party.

When we got to the Whiski Rooms, they were packed full of tricolour- wearing rugby enthusiasts singing the praises of the pub’s haggis bon bons.

If they were good enough for the French, then we had to try them – and they were easily the best Pub Spy has had in a while.

In fact, everything about the contemporary yet cosy watering hole and restaurant was top-notch. Situated at the top of the Mound, the d ramat ic views over Princes Street from our window seat were spectacular, making us feel like we were experiencing a real taste of Edinburgh.

With thistles on the table, copper pipes running round the stone walls and whisky memorabilia scattered around the walls, it’s no wonder the French were lapping up the Highland atmosphere as quickly as the whisky.

It seemed rude not to join in… so we opted for a unique whisky cocktail, one of the pub’s big selling points. The Helm, which includes a 10-year- old malt and spoonful of redcurrant jam, might sound like a strange combination but the fresh orange and lemon juice mixers made it.

And the food, a l l local ly sourced, was just as good. Their game and stilton pie was cooked to perfection and the fish and chips were just as delicious.

With a tasting room (sessions are £25 per person) and shop, our French friends had forgotten all about the rugby score and were now busy sampling some of the bar’s vast collection of whiskies from all over Scotland.

Pub Spy’s only gripes? The drinks are expensive – but the set menu deal is a winner. And it’s perhaps not the place to go if you are looking for a romantic meal as it gets busy and noisy.

But the multi-award-winning Whiski Rooms deserve their place among the best pubs in Edinburgh. Just ask the French.