20 rue d’anjou

We have to remember that whisky only really became popular in the 1980s, when it first began being sold by large retailers. Before then, it was only found in bars and most often served with ice or sparkling water…

In 1968, a year after this article was published, La Maison du Whisky opened a store on 20 Rue d’Anjou in Paris. Of the 100 whiskies on offer at the time, most where blends, including the star products Johnnie Walker, Ballantine’s and Chivas Regal, a few big-name bourbons, some Irish and Canadian whiskeys, and the very first single malts imported into France by La Maison du Whisky, Glen Grant 5 Year Old and 12 Year Old, Cardhu, Glenfiddich 8 Year Old, Glenlivet, Miltonduff, and Strathisla.

La Maison du Whisky catalogs from the 60s and 70s also pay witness to the era and, amongst the ceramic jugs, bottles in the shape of books, and other accessories designed to be given as business gifts, we find some real gems, including the first Lagavaluns, Springbanks and Laphroaigs to have been distributed on the French mainland.

Many years have passed and France is now the top consumer of single malt in the world. Loyal to its vocation as a pioneer, the store was the first to offer French consumers independent bottlings, then cask strength single malts, small batches, single barrel bourbons, Irish Pot Stills and Japanese whiskies…

Throughout its existence, 20 Rue d’Anjou has undergone many changes, to its size, décor, colors and spaces. But it is in the last decade that it has undergone the most important. In 2014, the store was extended and it opened an entire room dedicated to rare and old bottlings. To celebrate its 50th anniversary, the historic La Maison du Whisky store had a makeover. In May 2018, it opened the Islay Room, dedicated to the whiskies of Islay, and in September it will open the Lab, a space dedicated to experiences and encounters.